Patricia Haftar
Patricia Haftar was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1946, just at the end of WWII. Patricia's artistic journey began at the age of three alongside her grandmother Bea Coleman.
Bea, a self-taught oil painter, would set up a small table by her easel for Patricia, with Crayola crayons and a newsprint pad of paper, teaching her about the colours found in rocks and trees.
She was educated at Havergal Private Girls' School and studied Commercial Art at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate. Later, she pursued Food Sciences at The Toronto Metropolitan University, followed by Toronto Teachers College. She also attended the Hockley Valley School of Fine Arts. Upon retirement, Patricia continued her studies with Jane E. Jones, Denise Sperry, James Kerr, Margret Martin, Tony Baton, Christopher Pew, John Leonard and Catherine Rains.
Patricia has lived in Etobicoke, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Welland, all in Ontario. She worked as both a home economics teacher and an elementary teacher. Patricia has also served as an art instructor for various institutions including the Niagara Pumphouse, Niagara Art Gallery, Port Colborne Art Association, Capitol Arts Market, and The Artist Studio Port Colborne.
Patricia has been awarded First in Show several times through juried competitions. Her work has garnered attention from major media outlets, and she was recently selected for the SCA International show. Currently, she is represented by Art Space 106 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Capitol Arts Market in Simcoe, and Objects of Desire in Grimsby. Patricia's artwork can be found in private homes across North America and Europe.
“My work is inspired by my family, the places I have travelled to, the people I have met, and my fellow artists. I love creating art using intense colours, interesting textures, patterns and compositions.
I believe that colours, textures, and patterns can create beautiful harmony throughout a space, evoking emotions of peace, happiness, and a general feeling of well-being.
I express myself through working in acrylics, watercolours, and mixed media. My inspiration comes from a variety of sources, including pictures I take, books, magazines, and plein-air sketches. I have taken thousands of pictures during my travels across Northern Ontario and Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
My style has developed over many years. The main themes in my artwork are colour, movement, pattern, line and texture. I have found that I can express the greatest happiness and joy in my life through these elements of design. I work in acrylic, mixed media, and watercolour to create beautiful florals, landscapes, and abstract works of art. My latest exploration has been incorporating unique Japanese handmade papers into my mixed media work. The results can be absolutely magical.
I seek to transport viewers into my artwork, inviting them to picture themselves in the scenes and experience the happiness and joy evoked by the sounds of lapping water, whispering pines, or the serenity of sitting on a large rock. Conversely, when portraying florals, I aim to stir memories of receiving a bouquet from a special someone, eliciting the emotions that surged at that moment.”
Contact
Location
#10 Ruth Aspinall's Studio
Home Studio of Mixed Media Artist Ruth Aspinall.