Studio 14

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Laura Zerebeski, Painter
Liz Etmanski, Painter

Laura Zerebeski, Painter
I grew up in a pulp mill town in BC’s interior and always loved to paint. My art teachers were often exasperated because I wanted to go by instinct, which I guess means I am mostly self-taught. However, becoming a starving artist scared me: after growing up in the 80′s recession, I craved stability and opted for a BA at the University of British Columbia. I still painted, and my poor roommates had to put with a lot of somewhat gothic subject matter over the years. With every new painting I put up, they’d tactfully suggest that I should get some fresh air and sunshine. But painting was my way of working out frustration at a world I couldn’t control.
After UBC, I embarked on a 15-year corporate career, painting sporadically and eventually rarely between various systems projects. Along the way, I met my husband, we had a son, and I started painting again. This time I focused on local subjects, things I knew. I was inspired by the everyday stuff, because sometimes there are days when the ordinary becomes absolutely beautiful due to whatever effects of light or season or one’s own mood.
My paintings have elements of distortion and vivid colors to create a whimsical, cheerful view of the world. I’ve learned that you can’t control the world but you can interpret it, and I like to emphasize the color and character and electricity of life. There is so much joy and motion around us and my hope is that those who appreciate my paintings get a jolt of familiarity.
In 2008, I began painting professionally. My work is a nod to early expressionism but rather than focus on angst, I try to make my work exude joy. This, more than anything, is what we need more of nowadays.
http://www.laurazerebeski.com
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Liz Etmanski
Elizabeth Etmanski is an artist based in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Having won an award for her artistic passions in secondary school, she went on to become the first person with Down Syndrome to graduate from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She also writes poetry, which deals predominantly with the themes of love and overcoming personal obstacles. One of her poems was adapted for the stage by Erinbell Fanore with the Kaleidoscope Theatre Company in Cork, Ireland. She hopes that one day her work will be published and displayed widely so as to provide further inspiration for people with disabilities around the world. In addition, she has travelled across Europe on holiday and is a medal-winning power-lifter with the Special Olympic movement in Canada. She dreams of attending NYU and visiting Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley.
http://art-by-elizabeth.blogspot.com/