Camille Myles — J2GALLERY+STUDIO

CAMILLE MYLES

This series of contemporary acrylic paintings “Into the Forest”, I invite viewers into vibrant woodland landscapes, testaments to the healing power of nature. These are inspired from hikes taken with my children, offering respite from chaos and overwhelm, allowing me to reconnect with the energy of the forest.

In a world saturated with distractions, these paintings stand as visual reminders of our profound connection to the natural world. They encourage us to shift from a stance of conquering nature to one of embracing its teachings, absorbing its feminine energy and harmonizing with its vibrations. In this, we recognize that we are, fundamentally, one with nature.

My palette sings with high-key hues, playful fluorescents, and saturated complementary colors, invoking the vibrant pulse of the forest. Executed solely with acrylic paint markers without the use of a paint brush, these works emanate emotional and high-energy vibrations, capturing the very essence of the natural world.

As a National Park Superintendent, my dedication to preserving protected areas profoundly influences my art practice. It underscores my commitment to stewardship and echoes in the nuanced narratives depicted in my work. The choice of this subject-matter stems from my desire to give voice to the often unspoken story of the forest.

In challenging the prevailing narrative of traditional Canadian landscape painting, which often depicts a conquest of wilderness, my series offers a shift in perspective. It invites us to witness a changing landscape through the lens of feminine insight, acknowledging the impact of human intervention on nature. These paintings are an ode to the enduring wisdom and boundless beauty that nature generously bestows upon us all.

Biography

Camille Myles is an emerging Canadian contemporary artist living in Tiny, Ontario. Park Superintendent & formerly an archaeologist, Myles has a deep connection to nature & history bringing hope and transformation to her community. Working in painting, sculpture, installation and public art, she creates conversations about identity, motherhood and celebrates change and growth in her work. She received her BFA at Ottawa University and her MA in Heritage Conservation at Carleton University. Myles was received grants and awards such as Ontario Arts Council, RBC Emerging Art grant, finalist of the Canadian New Painting Competition, won the Queens Diamond Jubilee award, shortlisted for the International Women in Art Prize in 2023 and Women United in Art Prize in 2023. Myles has exhibited extensively including Artist Project, Quest Art Gallery, Assembly Gallery, Ottawa Art Gallery, BHA Gallery, Arts Mums United, Visionary Art Collective, Arts to Hearts Project, PxP Contemporary, Gallery 115, among others. Her work has been featured by the Art Seen Magazine, Jealous Curator, Toronto Star, Create! Magazine, Visionary Art Collective, Arts to Hearts Project, Women United in Art Magazine and podcasts including Arts Mums United, Hot Mess to Awesomeness & CFRH. Originally from Gatineau, Quebec, she now lives along the shores of Georgian Bay, in Tiny Ontario with her husband and three young children.