Gerry Thompson
SFCA, NWWS, CSPWC, ARCT, UFV (dip)
Statement
Painting and music are my lifelong loves. Music was an integral part of my daily living while growing up with my eight siblings. My performing on the piano began at age 5. Later I gradually added violin, accordion, organ, and synthesizer.
After my son was born I picked up a paintbrush, and to this day my passion for painting and drawing has never diminished. My own three children grew up in a home that was filled with music and visual art. This has positively influenced their individual specific career choices and interests.
Teaching is also one of my loves. To see a budding artist or musician grow and excel gives me great joy. I don’t believe in the philosophy of “I don’t have any talent”. If a person has the desire, the tenacity, a positive open mind, and a good work ethic, one can become accomplished in his or her chosen field of interest. I believe that we do our best creating in a positive and relaxed atmosphere.
My main focus now is on painting. Sometimes I enjoy my “work” so much that I say, “I need to get a life!” It has now dawned on me that “this is my life!”
Biography
Gerry was born in and grew up in Vancouver. She spent several years in Alberta where she taught music at a college, and where she earned her Associate degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music as a solo performer in piano. There she began her painting career. Her three children were born in Three Hills, Alberta.
In 1974 Gerry moved to Abbotsford with her family. She continued to teach piano in her studio, Thompson Studios, also training student teachers at that time. She enrolled in the Fine Arts program at the Fraser Valley College, studying under Mircho and Janina Jakabow. After graduating from the program, with a major in painting and printmaking, Gerry began to teach watercolour in the Continuing Education Department of the College. Her classes continued for several years, until she moved to Vancouver in 1989. At that time a group of her students formed The Fraser Valley Watercolour Society. These artists flourish to this day.
Her award-winning paintings are found in collections throughout the world.
Exhibitions
- Federation of Canadian Artists Medal Shows – Vancouver, BC
- Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour – Toronto, ON
- Limitless Potential – one of 40 CSPWC artists across Canada who were chosen for this travelling exhibition; image chosen for invitation
- Fraser Valley University – Abbotsford, BC
- Images & Objects – British Columbia
- Northwest Watercolor Society – Bellevue, WA
- Australian Watercolour Society – Australia
- Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour – London, England
- Trinity Western University – Langley, BC
- Global Canada Cultural Exchange – Art of Japan, Canada, China, Korea
- Poway Center for the Performing Arts – Poway, CA; featured Canadian artist
- Charisma Gallery – Abbotsford, BC
- Image West Gallery – Vancouver, BC
- The Old Schoolhouse Gallery – Qualicum, BC
- The Creative Framing Company – Vancouver, BC
- Ewart Gallery of Fine Arts – Saltspring Island, BC
- University House – Issaquah, WA
- Blaubak Gallery – Kirkland, WA
- Marianne van Silfhout Gallery, Brockville, Ontario
- Seattle Design Center, Seattle, WA
Education
- University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC – Diploma, Major in Painting & Printmaking, 1980
- Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA – Lettering, Illustration, 1980, 1981
- University of Toronto, Royal Conservatory of Music – Associate, Piano, Solo Performer, 1967
Professional Associations
- Northwest Watercolor Society, Bellevue, WA – Signature Member
- Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC – Signature Member (Director of Communications, 2002)
- Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, ON – Associate
- Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, Toronto, ON – Elected Member (Director for BC and the North, 2006 to 2010)
- University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC – Alumni Association. Featured on cover of Aluminations, Spring 2010 Edition of the UFV Alumni Magazine.
- Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, British Columbia – Member
Instructor and Juror
- Federation of Canadian Artists
- Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour
- Fraser Valley College, Department of Continuing Education
- Royal Caribbean Cruise
- Art societies throughout British Columbia
- Painting workshops in France, Spain, California
- Montpelier Art Center, Virginia
- Bonsor Recreation Centre, City of Burnaby
- City of Kamloops
- Arts and Recreation Centre, City of Quesnel
Awards
- Federation of Canadian Artists
- Vancouver Centennial Commission
- Northwest Watercolor Society
- Images and Objects
- Fraser Valley College
- Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour