Franca Montalbetti
Artist Statement

Creating and experimenting new colours and new textures, has always fascinated me as something magical and sublime. As a result, I have developed a deep love and appreciation for nature. My many years of drawing and painting have been filled with a sense of pleasure in this magical journey with constant adventures, mystery, and discovery of the unexpected. This has both motivated and challenged me to continue to discover new techniques and mediums to be able to create the small things in life which bring me joy, in hopes of expressing with integrity and evoking the viewer’s emotions.


Biography

Franca was born in Lima-Peru, where she has her basic training in drawing and Painting. During her childhood, her father used to teach her precious skills of drawing, which she developed a true passion for art, and moved to Canada in 1989. The following year, she started her first watercolour classes with Greg Maude beginning a lifelong relationship with this challenging medium.
She has taken workshops with professional artists including Diane Henderson, Margaret Roseman, Jack Reid, Art Cunanan, Peter Vangil, Eric Bowman, and John Leonard.

Franca paints landscapes and floral, and uses vivid colours in an impressionistic style. She is currently a full time student at Ontario College of Art and Design University. Franca is a member of a number of local arts clubs, and has had her work displayed in numerous shows and juried art exhibitions.
Franca also volunteers as a Gallery Guide for the Art Gallery of Ontario. Her original works can be found in private collection in Canada, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Peru.





Arts Education:


Present Attending Ontario College of Art and Design (Full-Time)
2010 Alvaro Castagnet, Watercolour Workshop (Toronto-Ontario)
2010 Art Cunanan, Watercolour Workshop (Toronto-Ontario)
2009 Martha Robinson, Watercolour Workshop(Ajax-Ontario)
2008-2009 Doug Purdon, Oil Workshop(Whitby-Ontario)
2007 Hi-Sook Barker, Watercolor workshop (Belleville-Ontario)
2004-2005 Shelley Beach, Acrylic Workshop (Pickering-Ontario)
2003 Hi Sook Barker, Watercolour Workshop (Whitby-Ontario)
2003 Art Cunanan, Watercolour Workshop (Oshawa-Ontario)
2002 Donna Cameron, Watercolour Workshop (Pickering-Ontario)
2000-2007 Doug Purdon, Oil Workshop (Pickering-Ontario)
1999 Teresa Mestres, Watercolour Workshop (Lima-Peru)
1998 Vilma Miglio, Oil Workshop (Lima-Peru)
1997 Juan Pastorelli, Watercolour Workshop (Lima-Peru)
1996 Miguel Nieri, Drawing & Painting (Lima-Peru)
1995 Eric Bowman, Oil Workshop (Ontario-Canada)
1994 John Leonard, Advanced Drawing (Whitby-Ontario)
1993 Peter Vangil, Watercolour Workshop (Oshawa-Ontario)
1993 ICS Learning Centre, Art Diploma (Montreal-Quebec)
1992 Jack Reid, Watercolour Workshop (Oshawa-Ontario)
1992 Margaret Roseman, Watercolour Workshop (Whitby-Ontario)
1992 Dianne Henderson, Watercolour Workshop (Pickering-Ontario)
1990-1991 Greg Maude, Watercolour Workshop (Whitby-Ontario)


Solo Exhibition:


Ontario Power Generation, Pickering - 2010-2007


Juried Exhibition:


Toronto Watercolour Society-Spring Aquavision Show - 2010
Oshawa Art Association, Robert McLaughlin Gallery - 2004, 2002, 2000, 1995, 1994, 1993


Non-Juried Group Exhibitions:


The Patron of Peruvian Art, Joseph D.Carrier, Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, Toronto - 2010

The Hangman Gallery, Toronto - 2009

Dunbarton Fairport, United Church, Pickering - 2010-2008-2005

A Profile of Durham Artist, Durham West Art Centre, Ajax - 2005

Art for Life, 5th Annual Art Auction, Toronto - 2004

Art in the Park, Markham Museum - 2004

The Patron of Peruvian Arts, Scarborough Civic Centre - 2003, 2000

Ajax Creative Arts, Pickering - 2010, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992

The Patron of Peruvian Arts, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, Scarborough - 1994

Agincourt District Library, Scarborough - 1994



Invitational Exhibition:


"Artisti Tricolore", Canadian-Italian Heritage Day
Scarborough Civic Centre - 2009


Professional Affiliations:


Member of Toronto Watercolour Society
Member of the Hangman Gallery
Member of the Artist’s Network
Member of the Whitby Station Gallery
Member of the Pine Ridge Arts Council
Honorable Member of Ajax Creative Arts


Private Collections:


Franca’s original works can be found in private collections in Canada, United States, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru.


Other:


Art Instructor, Canadian Women's Club, Lima - Peru, 1995 - 2000

Volunteer Gallery Guide for the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Copyright © 2010 Franca Montalbetti | All Rights Reserved