Rosalyn Insley Bio

Since moving to Eastern Ontario in 2018, I have delved into the life of a full time painter. The beautiful scenery of Eastern Ontario is an endless source of inspiration. I'm fascinated by the strong horizontals and verticals of nature and the effect light has on these elements. I paint with acrylics on stretched canvas. I love (and hate!) how quickly acrylics dry, the intensity of the colours, the ease of cleanup (that lets me spend my time painting). I love the feel of canvas - the texture, the way the fabric moves under the brush, and also the way it resists the pressure - the feeling that the canvas itself is part of the process, and not just a static entity.

I love the outdoors (though I'm partial to good weather!) I find the countryside invigorating - I close my eyes, hear the twittering of birds, the rustle of leaves, the lapping waves against my kayak - what could be better than this! And I want to capture that feeling on canvas. I want my paintings to me more than pretty pictures - I want to capture a moment in time, have it evoke a feeling or a memory - of a favourite spot, a perfect moment in time, a childhood spent free in the outdoors. I want to capture the aching beauty of a sunset, the gentle embrace of a sunrise, the excitement of an approaching storm. I want the viewer to smell the pine needles, hear the water crashing over the rocks, feel the breeze whispering through tall grasses. Its a tall order, and I enjoy working every day, trying to achieve this.

If I'm not in the studio, I'm out with my camera in my kayak, or hiking or driving around searching out new subjects. I am truly blessed to be a full time painter, and to be able to share the beauty of the countryside with you.