We recently connected with Adele Webster and have shared our conversation below.

Adele, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As a child, I discovered my natural talent for art, and the recognition and praise I received for my artistic abilities became a crucial part of my journey towards becoming a full-time artist. I found comfort and solace in the world of art. The positive reinforcement from teachers, family, and peers further fueled my passion and confidence in pursuing a career in the arts.

When I was deciding what path to take after high school becoming a full time artist wasn’t something that seemed obtainable. “You can’t make living creating art”, was a common theme. To stay in the arts field but more employable in everyones eyes I studied Graphic Arts and had a great career for over 20 years. But the pull to create with my hands has always been there. Through the years I’ve dabbled in many mediums from pottery, silversmith, fibre art, encaustics and lots of painting.

Now in my fifties I’ve landed in a place where where I can prioritize my passion for art and create full-time. The journey, marked by pauses and detours, has led me to this point of balance and fulfillment. As I embrace the opportunity to dedicate myself to art, the experiences of life, enrich the layers of my artistic expression. The wait has only deepened my appreciation for the ability to create, making this phase of my life as a full-time artist all the more meaningful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My work takes its roots in my graphic arts training and my constant endeavour to break images down to their most basic form. This deliberate simplification serves as an invitation for viewers to appreciate the beauty inherent in the unembellished and to find solace in the understated. I also attempt to capture nature’s perfect landscapes and cloudscapes in a joyous and peaceful way using my love of colour and contemporary abstract painting style. By skillfully weaving together elements that transcend the ordinary, I transport the viewers to a place where time slows down, and the boundaries of reality soften. Each piece is an evocative composition, a visual symphony that resonates with the quietude of a dreamy memory, inviting the viewer to revisit the corners of their own imagination. For me, the act of viewing becomes a meditative experience. Whether it’s the soothing landscapes, the delicate play of light, or the subtle details that capture the essence of a fleeting moment, each artwork holds the promise of a tranquil sanctuary within the viewer’s mind.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I was three we emigrated from England to Canada. During the two weeks crossing the Atlantic we encountered some terrible storms and massive waves. All our possessions in the cargo hold were soaked with seawater. As I was only three and without the words to describe what I was seeing, I have very strong emotional memories of those massive waves. Although they were terrifying, I am fascinated by the sea. Courage is not being unafraid of something but finding the strength to move forward to a new beginning. I’ve carried those memories with me and added new ones from holidays and travels near the water. Which has become my lifelong muse. Chasing sunsets and sunrises over bodies of water and expressing them in my own unique style has become my passion. I’ll be forever grateful to my parents for moving us to this land of opportunity and settling near our beautiful Lake Ontario that I get to look at every day and be constantly inspired by.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Transitioning from a full-time graphic artist to my current role as a full-time artist has been a journey of unexpected twists and valuable lessons. After a layoff, I explored diverse jobs—from working in a greenhouse to managing a food truck and running the front of house at a brewery.

Amid these experiences, my passion for art endured. Teaching art became a pivotal chapter, allowing me to share my skills while refining my own artistic voice. As I navigated this phase, the pandemic hit, prompting a shift in perspective and leading me to pivot once again.

The challenges of the pandemic underscored the importance of resilience and adaptation. While the inability to teach posed its challenges, it also became a silver lining. The new found time and space allowed me to concentrate on building my artistic practice with unprecedented focus and dedication.

Four years ago, amidst the evolving circumstances and the silver lining of uninterrupted creative time, I embraced a full-time artist career. Drawing inspiration from the varied paths I’d walked, my art now thrives in galleries. This journey has shaped my authentic style, and I’m grateful for the diverse lessons that brought me here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adelewebster.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelewebster_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adelewebsterart

Image Credits
Bill Hasson Bernard Clark