Artist Statement
Through my art, I am weaving threads of my inner and outer life experiences into visual works that endeavour to honor nature, wildlife, plants, flowers and animals and incorporate symbolism and ancient feminine archetypes, such as the Mother, the Mystic and the Lover, to further deepen the connection. My artwork flows between things seen and unseen.
My semi-representational work is often vibrant, intuitive and dreamlike. My abstract work is symbolic and is a way to bring form to the essence I feel in the world around me. It also serves to layer texture and depth into the body of work as a whole. I use various materials and incorporate different styles in order to visualize my fullest expression and share in them with my viewer. This can include painting on canvas, ink and paper collage, assemblage and sculpture using shoreline materials, textiles and clay. I am ever curiously exploring and experimenting with new techniques and mediums. I'm particularly drawn to materials and techniques that have an element of autonomy about them and enjoy relinquishing control of some of the outcome, as this creates a sense of wonder and a more intimate relationship with my pieces. My work as both a florist and potter has largely influenced my creative process over the years in subject matter and technique.
As the spin of a potter's wheel, I've come to see there is an endless spiral going out from me and back into me, bringing artworks from the present into connection with the past, in a way that feels exciting and essential to me. All of my collections of work relate to one another in some way and they will continue to come together over time, woven into a large tapestry of meaning and personal significance. I hope my work invokes a sense of resonance, curiosity and exploration from those who view it.
My semi-representational work is often vibrant, intuitive and dreamlike. My abstract work is symbolic and is a way to bring form to the essence I feel in the world around me. It also serves to layer texture and depth into the body of work as a whole. I use various materials and incorporate different styles in order to visualize my fullest expression and share in them with my viewer. This can include painting on canvas, ink and paper collage, assemblage and sculpture using shoreline materials, textiles and clay. I am ever curiously exploring and experimenting with new techniques and mediums. I'm particularly drawn to materials and techniques that have an element of autonomy about them and enjoy relinquishing control of some of the outcome, as this creates a sense of wonder and a more intimate relationship with my pieces. My work as both a florist and potter has largely influenced my creative process over the years in subject matter and technique.
As the spin of a potter's wheel, I've come to see there is an endless spiral going out from me and back into me, bringing artworks from the present into connection with the past, in a way that feels exciting and essential to me. All of my collections of work relate to one another in some way and they will continue to come together over time, woven into a large tapestry of meaning and personal significance. I hope my work invokes a sense of resonance, curiosity and exploration from those who view it.
Artist Bio
Krisanne Souter (b.1979) is a Canadian artist living in Northern Ontario. She spent her youth drawing and painting, solitarily wandering the woods around her home, and exploring shorelines near her family cottage on the Bruce Peninsula. The time spent around forests, water and a vast array of plants and flowers has had a deep and lasting influence on her work. During these early years she also worked at a Garden Center and eventually learned the art of floral arrangement from the in-house Florist at age 17. Krisanne remained working as a Florist for the next few years until moving to Northern Ontario and beginning a family while also continuing to dedicate time to making art. In her thirties, Krisanne apprenticed and worked for a number of years as a potter and was inspired by the many aspects of spinning earthen clay into functional form and the magical outcomes of firing glaze onto pots. She currently uses water-based ink on paper which is reminiscent of the flowing patterns and colours she found with ceramic glazes. She hopes to one day own a kiln and to extend her current work explorations into ceramic sculpture and functional pieces. She lives with her family in a small town north of Sault Ste. Marie, near the shores of Lake Superior and works from a small home studio in the forest. Krisanne has also recently been accepted into The Federation of Canadian Artists.
Group Exhibitions
2023 - Online Federation Showcase - (showing March 1-31 2023)
2023 - FCA Toronto Invitational Juried Art Show - Online (showing March 1-31 2023)
2012 - 45th Annual Bruce Peninsula Art Show - Group Show
2011 - 9th Annual Feast for the Eyes Juried Art Show - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton, Ontario Canada
2010 - 8th Annual Feast for the Eyes Juried Art Show - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton, Ontario Canada
2006 - Group Show in support of Amnesty International - LopLops - Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Canada
2023 - FCA Toronto Invitational Juried Art Show - Online (showing March 1-31 2023)
2012 - 45th Annual Bruce Peninsula Art Show - Group Show
2011 - 9th Annual Feast for the Eyes Juried Art Show - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton, Ontario Canada
2010 - 8th Annual Feast for the Eyes Juried Art Show - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton, Ontario Canada
2006 - Group Show in support of Amnesty International - LopLops - Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Canada
Solo Exhibitions
2015 - Jade Wellness Gallery Space, Sault Ste Marie Ontario
2013 - "I Am Here" - Solo Exhibition - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton, Ontario Canada
2013 - "I Am Here" - Solo Exhibition - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton, Ontario Canada
Awards
2011 - "Best in Show" 1st Place for "Eternal Refrain" (painting) at the 9th Annual Feast for the Eyes, Juried Art Show - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton Ontario Canada
2010 - "Visionary Award" for "Instinct Reverence" (painting) at the 8th Annual Feast for the Eyes, Juried Art Show - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton Ontario Canada
1997 - Frank Panabaker Award for Arts - Ancaster Ontario Canada
2010 - "Visionary Award" for "Instinct Reverence" (painting) at the 8th Annual Feast for the Eyes, Juried Art Show - Southampton Art Gallery - Southampton Ontario Canada
1997 - Frank Panabaker Award for Arts - Ancaster Ontario Canada
Membership
2022-2023 - Federation of Canadian Artists - Active Membership
Collections
Krisanne's work has been privately collected across Canada and Internationally
Commissions
2015 - Private Technology Professional - Mixed Media collage Ottawa Ontario, Canada