Artist’s Statement
Catherine J. Ramsay
I have always had a passion for drawing and painting, and other art forms.
Three years ago I discovered acrylic paint, and found it so vivid and fun, that it is all I mostly do now.
I have a need to paint because I see everything as a brush stroke, a shape, light and shadow, that I need to capture somehow. My subjects are mainly people, though I paint landscapes and still life, as well.
I don’t paint to make a deep personal statement, but to visually please myself and hopefully someone else.
In addition, so that I also have a good reason to keep painting, I have been working with the Office of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) doing portraits of refugees. All my paintings acknowledge the UN photographer. A minimum of fifty per cent of the sales of this art go directly to the UNHCR. This gives me inspiration and a purpose.
Artist Biography / CV
Catherine J. Ramsay
Catherine has been involved in some form of art her whole life. This has included, drawing, painting , designing and working in clay and batik. Her past career was as a draftsperson, which allowed for another form of art. For the past three years have she has the privilege of drawing, and painting full time. Basically she is a self taught artist who majored in art in high school and has taken some first year Fine Arts classes at Thompson Rivers University. She has, and continues to, attend painting workshops, with professional artists, which enables her to try new ideas and techniques.
Catherine also begun working on a series of paintings, in co-operation with the UNHCR two years ago. Her paintings are of refugees, using staff photograghs for reference. 50% to 75% of sales go directly to the UNHCR, for refugees world wide. This gives her inspiration and purpose to paint.
Affiliations
- Member of the Kamloops Community Arts Council
- Active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, with the Thompson, Nicola, Shuswap Chapter
UNHCR
Re: Ms. Catherine Ramsay
Ms. Catherine Ramsay has been given approval by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Canada to paint original works of art based upon UNHCR photos of refugees overseas. This agreement has been made on the premise that if the artwork is sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated by Ms. Ramsay to support refugee programs. Furthermore, it is expected that UNHCR’s support of Ms. Ramsay’s original works is recognized by Ms. Ramsay at any exhibitions of the work.
UNHCR is an Agency of the United Nations with the responsibility protect refugees and others fleeing persecution and violence around the world. In 2006, UNHCR is working to meet the needs of more than 21 million refugees and displaced persons in 117 countries.
UNHCR relies heavily on the support of individuals and organizations to meet the basic needs of refugees and displaced people, especially during crises. More than 97% of all our activities are made possible through voluntary contributions from individuals, governments, and corporations.
We are pleased to support Ms. Ramsay’s efforts as her work will help raise awareness of refugee issues in her community.
Should you have any questions or wish to support UNHCR’s work, please contact us. We can be reached toll free at 1-877-232-0909 or on the internet at withyou@unhcr.ca ( www.unhcr.ca).
Sincerely,
Jonathan Wade
Fundraising Officer