About Me

"I get a great thrill out of starting with a blank page and having something beautiful emerge. By beautiful I mean full of character, full of life. Art that expresses shape, form, and colour; the very essence of the human being - all from the one dimensional photograph before me."

~ Rivian

I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and painted by the lake during the summers. My father introduced me to art at a young age, and my uncle introduced me to psychiatry. After becoming a psychiatrist myself, in Winnipeg, I moved to Victoria, BC, 1993.

Being a hardworking doctor for many years, I had little time for art. But once I retired and watched as my grandchildren swiftly grew up, I was inspired to go back to art as a way of memorializing their individual characters and bright personalities.

The demand for my portraits grew from family to friends, so I decided to make a hobby of it!

Before I start a drawing, I need to grasp the personality of my subject; I need to find my way to feeling love, feeling connected with the person. I do this by hearing the person or their loved ones talk about them, or perhaps seeing a small video of the person in action.

As I paint, layer after layer, I learn more and more, and this continues to inform my work. A time comes when the painting is done to my satisfaction. What truly completes the work for me is the reaction of the person who receives it. I have been gratified and overwhelmed by people's reception.

Chalk pastel is my favourite medium for portraits. This medium is able to be layered and blended which allows for smooth transitions between shades and tones to attain a realistic and lifelike appearance. I also take pleasure in the bold colours and expressive texture.

With chalk, the delicate blush on a cheek, the sparkle in an eye, and the gentle contour of a smile all come to life under my hands.

Chalk pastel has been used for centuries and was made famous by artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Edgar Degas. The timelessness of the medium adds to its charm. I continue to be amazed at the versatility of chalk pastel.