Daina Deblette | Canadian Artist

Having grown up living on the shores of the Kapuskasing River as it moved powerfully into James Bay, my connection to the land and the water is primary in my being. I’m a figurative artist who paints experiences in our lives, capturing those magical moments where we are immersed in our passion for attuning with nature.  

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Each of my chosen mediums (primarily oil, followed by watercolour and encaustic) have allowed me to fully express my experiences with each subject; they’ve continued to challenge me, allowing me to grow beyond my boundaries, nourishing me with excitement and joy.

My original training at NSCAD University in 1994 was in photography and figure drawing, which I now use as tools and references to paint from. A life-changing moment led me to teach myself to paint in early 2003 from a little William Foster book; I was instantly hooked! I had my first solo show later that year.

I’ve been teaching art to children and adults since 2006, beginning at a P-8 private school in Bedford, Nova Scotia, and expanding throughout my travels around the world. To date I've successfully taught over 1000 student! Following my passion to spread the joy of creativity, I relocated Ocean Art Studio from Nova Scotia to Salt Spring Island in 2016, an ocean-inspired fine art gallery and teaching studio where I hold workshops and art camps in all media.

The studio is currently closed to walk-ins for the duration of the pandemic. Appointments for private viewing and lessons are welcome! Hopefully by spring/summer 2022 the studio will reopen to the public. It's located at 19A-315 Upper Ganges Road in Merchants’ Mews above the Barber Shop.

In the meantime I'm working on some exciting projects for the path ahead, including building an online school called Creative Courage Online School of Art. The platform will be right here on my personal website, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter.

Cheers to a new chapter this 2022!

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Love, Daina