About
My work explores nature’s richness and complexity which is so much more than a mountain, a sunset, a forest or a lake. It is dynamic, in constant evolution, advancing or eroding, full of beauty regardless of scale, and everywhere around us.
For most humans a sky is blue, a tree brown and green, and a strawberry red. But when you stop to look and open yourself to what is truly in front of you, there is infinitely more to see and much beauty to discover.
More recently I have been experimenting with the interplay of lily pads, reeds and water and the abstract motifs they create.
Because water can be both a mirror and a window we can see the lily’s stems reaching for the surface, the sky and the trees reflecting among them, the shadows of the lily pads on the water and how subtle water movements transform our perception and take us into another universe.
Discovering and sharing this beauty brings me joy, and this is why I paint.
Bio
Esspé is how I sign my paintings, the phonetic expression of my name’s initials, SP. An optimist by nature, I love to share a view of the world that is luminous.
My studio is located in White Rock, British Columbia, a small seaside community with a pier jutting into the ocean and a view of the United States. I enjoy looking at the work of other artists and I find much inspiration in what they do. David Hockney, David T. Alexander and Peter Doig are currently among my favourite painters.
I have been producing television programming with my husband for over 20 years. When I’m not working or painting, I spend as much time outside walking, kayaking or gardening as I can. I also create digital drawings and paintings on my iPad, some of which have become the cards available here.
I am an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. You can follow my work on Facebook.
Exhibits
Solo shows
- 2021 – Aquatika, Centre Culturel Francophone, Vancouver (March 11-April 22)
- 2018 – Artist of the month, The Gallery, White Rock
Group shows
- 2022 – (juried) Active Member Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
- 2021 – (juried) 80th Anniversary Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
- 2021 – (juried) NOW Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
- 2021 – (juried) Annual International Representational Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
- 2020 – SSWRAS Art Show & Sale, Landmark Pop-Uptown Gallery, White Rock
- 2020 – (juried) Ten-Squared Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
- 2020 – (juried) Social Distancing Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
- 2019 – Peninsula Art Tour, South Surrey and White Rock
- 2019 – (juried) Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
- 2019 – (juried) artSpacific, Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, Aldergrove
- 2019 – 60th Anniversary Gala Art Show & Sale, South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre
- 2019 – Spring Art Show & Sale, Turnbull Gallery, Surrey
- 2019 – Art & Chocolate, Turnbull Gallery, Surrey
- 2018 – Art at Blue Cottage, White Rock
- 2018 – (juried) Herstory, White Rock Community Center
- 2018 – Peninsula Art Tour, South Surrey and White Rock
- 2018 – West Coast Reflections, South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre