Mandy Budan, of Pickering On., was born in Toronto in 1964. She was born with a paint brush in her hand and she admits that she has always been an artist who has enjoyed the process of "creating". Interestingly, when Mandy reflects back to her youth - she was unable to point to anyone along the way who encouraged her and pointed her towards the visual arts. Mandy was attracted instead to playing the piano, and there was a time when she harboured a desire become a pianist when she grew up.
Mandy was drawn into the fine arts in high school and these included "painting, life drawing and photography" and the particularly funny memory of drawing in her school's life drawing classes with windows papered over so as not to "accidentally expose any math and science students to the nude models."
Fortunately for us, the visual arts won out, and Mandy entered the commercial arts. When she reflects upon it, she confesses to being a little uncertain of her own abilities and she never felt herself to be particularly "gifted". Her professional career included wax paste ups, typesetting, stat cameras, and working with photo shop on her computer.
Mandy has been married now for 26 years and she had two children. About a dozen years ago, she heard the call of a new song. She felt that there was something missing in her life. "I realized that that (her professional career) was only giving me half of what I need." She recognized that she needed "to create from my own visions and not someone else's.
It seems hard to imagine that it was only 12 years ago when she picked up her brushes and ventured into creative arts. All the while, she maintained a graphic design business. But there comes a point where its hard to march to the beat of two drummers. In 2011 she took the plunge and became a full time creative artist and this has made all the difference in her life.
Since taking the plunge, she has become a member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, and she became a member of the local Pine Ridge Arts Council. Mostt importantly, however, her painting career is blossoming in new and exciting ways with gallery shows, and awards coming her way. Not just that, but her paintings have taken on their own life and have joined collections around the world.
What is there about Mandy's work that has attracted the attention of so many people? Well, for one thing she loves painting with "thick paint, rich colour, and with strong rhythmns and patterns. Mandy's heart is drawn to the beautiful Canadian landscape. She considers herself very fortunate to have unlimited access to incredible green spaces, walking trails, waterfront, and forests and feels the opportunities for inspiration are endless. And, like many Canadian landscape artists she admits to being strongly influenced by the Group of Seven, van Gogh and Chuck Close.
What is exciting is that Mandy has an open door to her future. She's making waves and having fun. Watch her grow.
Mandy welcomes you to visit her website by clicking here.
Mandy's work amazes me! I wish I could "see" the world the way she does. I'm grateful for her blog that lets me follow her creative process and delight her her impressive command of light, shadow, and movement.
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