Valdis Gislason
interest; they arrive late and call in sick on a whim. I am pathologically punctual and conscientious. If only I could rid myself of a puritanical work ethic, my life would be so much simpler (and much less rewarding).
Creating art takes work. It requires discipline, practice, energy, time, and skill. Sounds like fun, right? Actually—you’d be surprised. At times making art is a total flow experience. At other times, doing art is a necessary chore: necessary, because without art, life would be colourless and dull.
Who wants a life that is colourless and dull? Not me: I delight in making lives more colourful, more engaging, and more rewarding through abstract, representational, and calligraphic art.
I enjoy creating representational art because it allows me to convey images of the real world through my own, sometimes distorted, sometimes blurred, sometimes overly optimistic, perspective.
I like doing abstract art because it gives me an excuse to colour outside of the lines. This is very liberating for someone with OCD tendencies.
I incorporate calligraphy in some of my work because I find beauty in letters and words. Too often people say, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” forgetting that words can paint images. Also, before I took up art as an avocation, an artist told me that if you can learn to write, you can learn to draw. I took her words to heart, completely overlooking the fact that my writing is virtually illegible.
More often than not, I live and work in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, although I often combine work and travel. Between my puritanical work ethic and OCD tendencies, I am rarely idle.
Please take the time to look at my art. Contact me at valdisgislason@gmail.com if you want more information or wish to purchase a piece.
Prices listed for pieces smaller than 8" x 10" include shipping. The cost of shipping will be added to the price of larger pieces.
Constructive criticism and praise are welcome at valdisgislason@gmail.com.
About Valdis Gislason
I’m all about colour. And style. Not to mention shape, line, and form. Also paper, ink, and words. I live to create: food, art, poems, and pleasure.
Wait a minute. I sound like a total flake, which is wrong. Flakes flutter from interest to
Artist's Statement
Billy Collins, a past poet laureate of the United States, described himself as a literary hedonist—someone who reads purely for pleasure. If Billy Collins is a literary hedonist, I am an artistic hedonist—someone who creates and collects art that evokes positive emotions. There is nothing bleak or soul-searching about my art!
My art varies from simple representational water colours, to architectural renderings, to landscapes, to abstract monotype and mixed media pieces. All reflect my love of colour and strive to convey a sense of harmony.
I believe that art should be uplifting, and it is one of my towering ambitions to lift the spirits of everyone who takes the time to experience my art.
