a workshop to welcome the year of the snake on jan 30/25

Written By Laura Beaton
Happy New Year - Laura Beaton Chinese Calligraphy

Happy [Chinese] New Year!

It is not often that I provide workshops, yet when asked by Donna Child to provide a workshop to welcome The Year of the Snake, I just had to say yes. I always have a fantastic time while at this beautiful gallery on the edge of Etobicoke and Mississauga.

Join me for a zen, art-filled evening as we celebrate Chinese New Year through the timeless beauty of Chinese Brush Painting. This introductory workshop is designed for all skill and experience levels, offering a glimpse into the centuries-old traditions of this elegant art form.

This workshop will be held at Donna Child Fine Art Gallery, Etobicoke, ON on Thursday Jan 30/25 6:30-9:00pm

Registration for this class can be completed will provide you with an evening of fun, social activity and sense of wonder. Let’s explore what the ‘snake’ has to offer for 2025.

Laura Beaton

I am a Toronto-born, international award-winning visual fine artist whose work fuses the traditions of Sumi-e, Chinese Brush Painting, and Western mixed media. Through my art, I explore and celebrate the differences and similarities among cultures—particularly Japanese, Chinese, and North American.

Though my roots are in Scottish bagpipes and English tea, a chance encounter with a Chinese brush painting on an antique tea wagon sparked a lifelong artistic journey. That early moment ignited a creative curiosity that led me to explore what it truly means to live, and create, in a multicultural society.

My art honours centuries-old techniques while looking to the future. I transform inks, rice papers, and layered textures into serene, imaginary worlds that are contemporary, yet grounded in tradition. Each piece whispers a quiet declaration: “I Am Canadian.”

Highlights of my career include:

• Election to both the Society of Canadian Artists and the Federation of Canadian Artists

• Multiple national and international awards, including Japan

• Serving as North American President for the International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society, representing artists from eight countries

• Exhibiting in China, with my work held in the permanent collection of the Chinese government

As a non-Asian artist mastering the philosophies and aesthetics of traditional Japanese and Chinese ink art while infusing Canadian narratives, I aim to reimagine tradition, transcend borders, and create space for new perspectives. My practice is a re-wilding of the social graces and an invitation to connect.

https://LauraBeaton.com
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