Heather Aston

Heather Aston was born and raised in West Vancouver, BC where she received her first real taste of “art making” at an early age in Junior High School under the instruction of BC abstract painter, Gordon Caruso, who became her life long mentor and great friend until his death in 2004.

A graduate of The Vancouver School of Art with Honours in Printmaking in 1971, Heather later continued her studies at the Santa Reparata Institute in Florence Italy under the instruction of Doug Biden. “Doug was a true inspiration to me both as printmaker and teacher and was instrumental in convincing me to join Malaspina Printmakers Studio on my return to Vancouver in 1991”. She has been a full-time practicing printmaker there ever since.

In 2001 Heather was invited to be artist in residence at the OM Printhouse in Yokohama Japan, where she created monotypes and rediscovered her skills in drypoint etching. In 2006 she returned to Japan to take part in the opening ceremonies of the Trilateral Exhibition in Kochi, Japan as a representative of Canada. Her work has been travelling for two years in this exhibition which includes 65 artists from Japan, The Netherlands and Canada.

Her work is represented in galleries in three Canadian provinces and is included in numerous private and corporate collections locally and internationally. She also teaches printmaking courses and workshops in local communities, studios and schools.

EDUCATION/AWARDS

2001 Canada Council Travel Grant • $2,000 for travel to OM Printhouse, Yokohama, Japan
1990 Printmaking, Santa Reparata Studio, Florence, Italy
1971 - 1972 Post-graduate work, Printmaking Department, The Vancouver School of Art, Vancouver BC
1967 - 1971 Graduated Honours in Printmaking, The Vancouver School of Art, Vancouver, BC
1968 - 1971 Awarded Helen Pitt Fine Art Scholarship (Four years)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2001 Not Looking Like Flowers. Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1997 Angels In My Corner. Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
1995 Personal Landscapes. Grand Forks Art Gallery, Grand Forks, BC
1994 Personal Landscapes. The Alma Street Cafe, Vancouver, BC
1994 Personal Landscapes. Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
1993 Heather Aston. The Alma Street Cafe, Vancouver, BC
1992 Sunday Rituals. Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Canada

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2005 - 2008 Trilateral Exhibition. (Juried). Travelling Group Exhibition of 65 selected artists from Canada, Holland & Japan.
2007/2008 City Hall of Utrecht, Korteminrebroederstraat, Utrecht
 2007 Making an Impression. (Invitational). Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2007 Full Bloom. (Invitational). 3 Person Exhibition. Open Studio Print Sales Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2007 Open Print Show. (Juried). Group Exhibition of Printmakers, Canadian Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2007 30 x 30: (Invitational). Malaspina Printmakers 30th Anniversary Show. Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby, BC
2007 Below and Above. (Juried). Duo Exhibition. 2 Vancouver Printmakers. Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver,BC
2006 The Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver BC,
2006 Capilano College Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2006 Thompson Rivers University Fine Arts Gallery, Kamloops, BC
2006 Harmony Arts Festival Group Show. (Invitational). Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2005 Gallery OM, Shin-Yokohama, Celest Gallery, Yokohama, Saint Paul Gallery, Maebashi
2005 Trip Art Gallery, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japanese Paper Museum Inomachi, Kochi
2005 Nagasaki Peace Museum, Nagasaki
2005 Island Inks. (Invitational). Group Exhibition. 3 Vancouver Printmaking Studios. Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2004 The Art of Printmaking. (Invitational). 5 Vancouver Printmakers. Omega Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2004 One - the art of the monotype. (Invitational). 13 Printmakers. Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2004 BIMPE. (Juried). 3rd Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition. Dundarave Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2004 Gallery Artists Group Show. Elissa Cristall Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2004 Flowers to Fruit. (Invitational). Group Exhibition. Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
2004 Under Pressure. (Juried). Malaspina Printmakers Group Exhibition. Cityscape Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2004 Flora. (Juried). Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2004 Study of the Human Form. (Juried). Cityscape Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2002 Sampler. Gallery Artists Exhibition of Selected Works. Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
2002 The Landscape - Abstract to Realism. Gallery Artists Exhibition. Fran Willis Gallery, Victoria, BC
2002 BIMPE. (Juried). 2nd Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition. Dundarave Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2002 Personal Landscapes. Curated Exhibition(10 artists). Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2001 Malaspina Printmakers Group Exhibition. (Juried). OM Gallery, Yokohama, Japan
2001 Arriving in Time. (Three Person Juried Exhibition). Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC,
2000 Christmas Exhibition of Gallery Artists. John Ramsay Gallery, Vancouver, BC,
2000 BIMPE. (Juried). 1st Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition.- Dundarave Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2000 Malaspina Printmakers Annual Summer Show. Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2000 Flowers in Winter. (Juried). Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2000 23rd Annual Malaspina Printmakers Juried Members’ Show. Seymour Art Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
1999 Artist Botanica. (Invitational Group Show) Floral Hall, VanDusen Garden, Vancouver, BC
1999 The Printed Bird. (Juried). Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1999 Summer Exhibition of Gallery Artists. John Ramsay Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1999 Malaspina Printmakers Annual Summer Show. Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1998 22nd Annual Malaspina Printmakers Juried Members’ Show. Havana Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1998 The Art of the Print. (Juried). Seymour Art Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
1998 Emily Carr Institute/Vancouver School of Art Alumni Exhibition. ECIAD Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1998 Malaspina Printmakers Annual Summer Show. Malaspina Printmakers Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1997 Choice Cuts. The Jennifer Wittmann(Kostuik) Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1996 21st Annual Malaspina Printmakers Juried Members’ Show. Foto Base Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1996 Malaspina Printmakers Archive Collection. (Selected Works). Ground Zero Gallery, Victoria, BC
1995 20th Annual Malaspina Members’ Show. (Juried). The Grunt Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1995 Harmony Arts Festival Exhibition. (Juried). The Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
1995 Alberta Printmakers’ Society Members Juried Show. Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta
1994 Sources. (Two person juried show). Gateway Gallery, Richmond, BC, Canada
1994 Harmony Arts Festival. (Juried). The Ferry Building Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC, Canada
1994 Malaspina Group Show. (Juried). Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond, BC
1993 18th Annual Malaspina Members Show. (Juried). Community Arts Council Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1993 Cathedrals, Canals, Cappuccinos - Images of Italy. Group show of five Vancouver Printmakers. Community Arts Council Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1992 17th Annual Malaspina Members Show. (Juried). Community Arts Council Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1991 16th Annual Malaspina Members Show. (Juried). Community Arts Council Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1991 The Works Exhibition. (Juried). Alberta Printmakers’ Society. Scotia Place Gallery, Edmonton, AB

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

2006 Artists For Kids Summer Art Camp, Brackendale, BC
2001 OM Printmaking Studio, Yokohama, Japan

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006 Invited to speak at the openings of the Trilateral Exhibition, Nagasaki and Kochi, Japan
2001 - 2007 Member of The Gallery Committee, Malaspina Printmakers Society, Vancouver, BC
1996 - 2008 Instructor, 6 Week Monotype Course, Malaspina Printmakers Studio, Vancouver, BC
1990 - 2008 Member of Malaspina Printmakers Society, Vancouver, BC?2003 - 2005 President of The Board of Directors, Malaspina Printmakers Society, Vancouver, BC
2001 - 2005 Member of The Board of Directors, Malaspina Printmakers Society, Vancouver, BC
2001 - 2005 Chair of The Gallery Committee, Malaspina Printmakers Society, Vancouver, BC
2005 Instructor, Elementary Enrichment Program for “Artists For Kids Trust”, North Vancouver, BC
2005 Instructor, 8 Week Monotype Course, West Vancouver Arts and Culture, West Vancouver, BC
2003 Instructor, Monotype Workshop, Chagall Course, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Vancouver, BC
2003 Instructor, 4 day Monoprint Workshops (K to Grade 7), Upper Lynn Elementary students, N.Vancouver, BC
2003 Instructor, 3 day Printmaking Workshop, Mountain Haven Arts Centre, Mission, BC
2003 Instructor, Monotype workshops throughout elementary and high schools in Burnaby, BC School District
1993 - 2008 Vice-President of the Board of Directors, Jumpstart Performance Company, Vancouver, BC
1999 - 2000 Instructor, Monoprint Workshops to North Van Elementary students, Seymour Art Gallery, N.Vancouver, BC
1998 Instructor, Xtra Art for Kids, One week course (ages 8-14), The University of British Columbia.,
1995 Instructor, Monotype Printmaking Workshop, L’Ecole Belingue, Vancouver, BC, Canada
1995 Instructor, Watercolour Monotype Printmaking Course, The University of British Columbia, BC.
1989 - 90 Instructor, Basic Graphic Design for VCC Continuing Education, Vancouver,
1980 - 82 Board of Directors, Circle Craft Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1973 - 74 Instructor full time art classes Lake Cowichan Art Centre, Lake Cowichan, BC
1971 - 73 Instructor Saturday Morning Art classes, The Vancouver School of Art, Vancouver, BC
1971 - 73 Instructor Night School Art classes, The Vancouver School of Art, Vancouver, BC
1971 - 2008 Graphic Designer/Illustrator, Vancouver, BC, Canada (portfolio & client list available)

COMMISSIONS

2000 30 Monotypes. Balanced Financial Inc., Corporate Client Christmas gifts Vancouver, BC
1998 12 Monotypes. Macdonald Real Estate Co., Feature Artist for 1999 Corporate Calendar, Vancouver, BC
1993 - 1994 2 Wall Murals. Great West Life, Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, White Rock, BC

CORPORATE COLLECTIONS

UBC Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital Foundation Collection, Vancouver, BC
TD Canada Trust Collection, Canada
Four Seasons Hotel, Whistler, BC
Vancouver General Hospital Foundation Collection, Vancouver, BC
Toronto Dominion Bank Collection, Canada
OM Printhouse Collection, Yokohama, Japan
Burnaby Art Gallery Permanent Collection, Burnaby BC
Dr. Bruce Ward, Dental Offices. Corporate Collection, Port Coquitlam, BC
Malaspina Printmakers Society Archive Collection, Vancouver, BC
Hollyburn Country Club, West Vancouver, BC
BMC Financial Group, Vancouver, BC
Porte Realty, Vancouver, BC

REVIEWS

July 2006 Lynn Mitges. “Her prints are all over this”. The E-LIST. The Province Newspaper, p. B4 (photo/write up)
May 2005 “Hot Tips, Galleries and Museums”. Where Magazine. May 2005. p.16 (image/write up “Flower Power: Under the Soil”)
April/May 2005 “Preview”. Preview Magazine. April/May 2005. p.46 (image/write up “Below and Above”)
Aug 2004 “Queue Magazine”. The Vancouver Sun. August 12, 2004. p.C8 (photo/write up “Pomegranates and Pear”)
Aug 2004 Interview (with Russell Outred). “Malaspina Printmakers Open House/Open Studio”. Shaw Cable TV
Aug 2001 “Art News”. North Shore News. August 22, 2001. p.2 (photo and write up “Making Her Mark”)
Feb 1999 Deanna Lancaster - “Heritage Calendar Offered”. North Shore News - review.
May 1998 Colleen Christie - “Art in Vancouver”. Live broadcast - VTV Television
July 1997 “Art News”. North Shore News. July 2, 1997. p.2 (photo)
Dec 1997 Jennifer Wittmann. “Gallery News”. Jennifer Wittmann Gallery Newsletter, 1997. p.2
Dec 1996 Ann Rosenberg. “AMS Curatorial Statement”. Chop, 1996. p.5 (photo)
Jan 1993 Naomi Puils. “First Thursday Notebook”. Georgia Straight. 1993
April 1992 Naomi Puils. “First Thursday Notebook”. Georgia Straight. 1992

STATEMENT: Personal

Over the years as an artist, I have developed my own printmaking techniques to construct a richly coloured, energetic landscape. I focus on the organic world of plants, revealing life’s passages as intimate and surprising.

I like the immediacy of what is organic and the creative spontaneity in the painterly process of making monotypes. The style and mood of my work comes from personal experience, emotional expression and life caught in the moment. I collect what I connect with intuitively. It could be dried pods found on the ground, wild thistles, exotic plants and fruits from the marketplace, and plants I cultivate, study and dissect from my own garden. I tuck wild-looking flowers into heirloom vases as strange containments. I show plants reaching for the light or nipped by the light or exposed by light that dramatizes their energy. I get very absorbed by it all. I love drawing, and printmaking is a natural progression in my quest as an artist. Whatever stage of life I am observing and drawing, it is ultimately me who is drawn into the organic world.

STATEMENT: Technical

Chine Collé is basically the marrying of two papers together permanently with the help of rice glue. It is used a lot in etching. Fine Japanese papers are used to print etchings, intaglio, drypoint onto first of all. The fine paper has two purposes; 1.) it picks up all the detail of the etching because of its thinness and 2.) it adds another colour as the chine collé papers can be tan or grey or even darker.

There are many methods to attach the print to the heavier printmaking paper. The method that I use is: Once the etching on the Japanese paper is dry I smother the back with rice glue (some printmakers use starch glue, some use methyl cellulose) and this has to be done correctly to make sure there is permanent attachment. I allow them to dry and then soak my printmaking paper, blot it so it is damp not wet. Then I take my original plate, I roll colour on it where I want it to be and I overprint the etching with colour and run it through the press again with the two papers. The dampness in the heavy paper reactivates the glue on the back of the print and the pressure of the press marries the two papers and I have an extra layer of colour as well where I want it. This example illustrates the process well.


I also collage bits of preprinted pieces into my monotypes so some of them will say Oil Monotype w Chine Collé and the etchings say Drypoint Chine Collé.

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