The Flemish Monkey

Website: http://www.flemishmonkey.deviantart.com

“Creative fantasy . . . may open your hoard and let all the locked things fly away like caged birds…and you will be warned that all you had (or knew) was dangerous and potent, not really effectively chained, free and wild; no more yours than they were you.” (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Biography

Natalie Semmens and Larissa Johnston were both born and raised in Calgary. Both have had an interest in art since a young age, pursuing it throughout their schooling. Natalie was involved in several student art shows including youth exhibits in Edmonton, the Triangle Gallery in Calgary and the Calgary Stampede. Larissa was involved in student exhibitions at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, and Devonian Gardens in Calgary. Both Natalie and Larissa have exhibited their work in; group shows at the Little Gallery in Calgary and the Nickle Arts Museum in Calgary. Natalie and Larissa received their Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2007 with a specialization in drawing from the University of Calgary.

Together they form The Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood.

Artist Statement

The Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood focuses on work involving abundant detail, intense colours, and complex compositions with accompaning literature.

Natalie The artwork is inspired by a desire to interact more closely with the beauty and complexity extant in nature and to entice the viewer to engage with the mundane world through a lens of mystery, fantasy, awe and the unfamiliar. It seeks to reawaken wonder and appreciation for things in life that we possess yet take for granted. This alternate or enhanced vision of the primary world is strongly influenced by literature, poetry, music, illustration and the allure of many different cultures. Storytelling or narrative elements of culture are important to the artist because myths and stories reflect us as well as universal threads of human experiences and desires, which find their way into the artwork.

Larissa ‘Mischievous eyes sparkle full of laughter; she is heartily amused when they sip the light from her goblet. She knows the ruby tint from the wine lingers and is sinking into her full smiling lips staining them in age-old passion. What a glorious evening! She watched the chandelier light dance upon the dancers and their swirling silk; she looked down reveling in the glow that the flames gave to her gown as if it rippled and moved almost independently of her skin. She brushed past the velvety allure of open arms…’ (Supplement to “Maud in the Garden” 2007) The artwork inspires the storyteller inside us, what is it that could be happening – while one may see an image of a dear friend with a spark of mischief glinting in their eyes, another may see a stranger with malicious intent. This delightful construction of tales behind art, this spinning of webs and gossamer dreams allows us to offer an escape into worlds full of whimsical delight and fulfill longings for far away lands. Inspired we indulgence in shadows, colour and light, and somewhere in our stories, you may find familiar faces of friends and foes, and, perhaps… someone who was made especially to enchant you…

Larissa and Natalie work mainly in chalk pastel on suede mat board or velour paper but have also worked in coloured pencil, acrylic, oil and watercolour paint.

Hours

First Thursdays: 5pm-9pm Our hours vary; we usually arrive in the studio in the morning and stay until late afternoon, thus open by chance or happily by appointment. Please call or email if you have something you would like to view or discuss

Contact

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