Vanaja Cotroneo
I grew up in New Delhi, and by today’s standards we would be considered poor – there was no refrigerator, no television, and no radio. It never occurred to me that art could be an option. I had no voice, or strength of my own. That would come years later. But first I had to experience the challenges as a new immigrant – leaving family…walking into the unknown in Canada. Life required a focus on raising a family and career, with little time for art.
When my children became teenagers, I started taking painting classes. But a few months into it, a debilitating accident derailed me. I lost the dexterity of my hands. It was a setback, but I never gave up.
While in rehab, I would exercise my nerve-damaged fingers and arms by attempting to draw, following the lessons in the book “Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards which I had bought just before the accident. I knew I had to keep at it, I had to keep moving my fingers and arms. Drawing became part of my physio.
Moving forward. Juggling a full time job. Managing life crises and daily challenges. I studied under some well-known artists that I admired. They guided me in honing my skills and ability to express myself. In the last few years I have experimented with and developed my own style, which varies according to subject matter and medium.
Today, I am a prolific painter and also undertake commissions for portraits (both human and pets), landscapes, and abstracts, which I find both challenging and rewarding.
I have exhibited my work in many group shows, a three-person show, and won several awards.. I’m currently a member of the following art organizations:
- The Art Guild of Scarborough (TAGS), on the Executive as Exhibition Chair
- East Central Ontario Art Association (ECOAA)
- Central Ontario Art Association (COAA)
- Arts on the Credit (AOTC), Mississauga
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Time flies when I paint, whether I’m holding a brush or a palette knife. The freshness and transparency of watercolours, the vibrancy of acrylics, and the buttery feel of oils transport me into a different frame of mind.
I see beauty and inspiration wherever I am, whether it be southern France, Italy, India, or right here in Ontario, Canada. In translating them on to canvas, I revisit these places in my paintings, and I am reminded of the sounds, the smell, the joy and excitement I experienced.
I want to take you along to experience my adventures with me.
I hope my art brings out that spark of light and joy in you, that breathless awe, the wonder…
I grew up in New Delhi, and by today’s standards we would be considered poor – there was no refrigerator, no television, and no radio. It never occurred to me that art could be an option. I had no voice, or strength of my own. That would come years later. But first I had to experience the challenges as a new immigrant – leaving family…walking into the unknown in Canada. Life required a focus on raising a family and career, with little time for art.
When my children became teenagers, I started taking painting classes. But a few months into it, a debilitating accident derailed me. I lost the dexterity of my hands. It was a setback, but I never gave up.
While in rehab, I would exercise my nerve-damaged fingers and arms by attempting to draw, following the lessons in the book “Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards which I had bought just before the accident. I knew I had to keep at it, I had to keep moving my fingers and arms. Drawing became part of my physio.
Moving forward. Juggling a full time job. Managing life crises and daily challenges. I studied under some well-known artists that I admired. They guided me in honing my skills and ability to express myself. In the last few years I have experimented with and developed my own style, which varies according to subject matter and medium.
Today, I am a prolific painter and also undertake commissions for portraits (both human and pets), landscapes, and abstracts, which I find both challenging and rewarding.
I have exhibited my work in many group shows, a three-person show, and won several awards.. I’m currently a member of the following art organizations:
- The Art Guild of Scarborough (TAGS), on the Executive as Exhibition Chair
- East Central Ontario Art Association (ECOAA)
- Central Ontario Art Association (COAA)
- Arts on the Credit (AOTC), Mississauga
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Time flies when I paint, whether I’m holding a brush or a palette knife. The freshness and transparency of watercolours, the vibrancy of acrylics, and the buttery feel of oils transport me into a different frame of mind.
I see beauty and inspiration wherever I am, whether it be southern France, Italy, India, or right here in Ontario, Canada. In translating them on to canvas, I revisit these places in my paintings, and I am reminded of the sounds, the smell, the joy and excitement I experienced.
I want to take you along to experience my adventures with me.
I hope my art brings out that spark of light and joy in you, that breathless awe, the wonder…
$85.00
Oil on canvas board.
7x5"
Painting comes with a mini wood easel, so it can be placed on a desk or shelf.
$85.00
Oil on panel.
7x5"
Painting comes with a mini wood easel, so it can be placed on a desk or shelf.
$85.00
Acrylic on wood panel.
7x5"
Painting comes with a mini wood easel, so it can be placed on a desk or shelf.
$85.00
Acrylic on wood panel.
5x7"
Textured surface. Painting comes with a mini easel so it can be placed on a desk or shelf.
$525.00
Oil on gallery canvas.
18x24x1.50"
Wild, rambling rose bushes & delphiniums in a neglected backyard of a vacant house. These rose bushes grow almost uncontrollably and form a very nice privacy screen on a fence. Moreover, their fragrance hits your sense from feet away!
$525.00
Oil on gallery canvas.
12x30x1.50"
A reminder of how beautiful spring can be, when apple blossoms are in full bloom!
$300.00
Oil on gallery canvas.
12x12x1.50"
Oil painting of blue hydrangeas, inspired by the huge flowers in Costa Rica, as I viewed them with a background of distant hills.
$395.00
Oil on canvas.
24x18"
This is a view of Head Lake in Haliburton, where I saw these lovely pink flowers growing amongst the weeds and butterflies fluttering all over!
$525.00
Acrylic on gallery canvas.
24x24"
This painting was displayed at the annual event at the Streetsville Bread and Honey Festival (June 4, 2023) - The Beauty of the Bees Exhibition - to bring much needed attention for the preservation of the bee population.
$395.00
Acrylic on canvas.
18x24"
Painted live with nine other artists - at the Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, as sponsored by VServeCanada to promote health and wellness, and cultural diversity.