Murray Van Halem: Prolific and Versatile Painter in Oils

I met Murray Van Halem several years ago when we were both members of Zephyr Art Gallery. I have always been impressed with Murray's confident painting style and his consistent enthusiasm as an artist. He is a prolific creator and varied in his painting subjects but always produces strong and fresh work.  His intense use of colour is mesmerizing!

MEET Murray! Read on to discover more about him and his painting practice.

The Artist with his work.

How long have you been painting and how did your journey as an oil painter begin?
 
I've always been interested in art, since my childhood.  I started my working life as a photographer, but really all I ever wanted to do was paint.  I dabbled a bit in watercolours earlier on but not enough to develop my artwork to any degree.  I retired from a long career in real estate and started painting seriously.  My first time using a paint brush with oil was at Haliburton School of the Arts in a workshop with John Anderson, and I haven't looked back.  That was in 2011.

Your work varies greatly in subject matter from landscapes to portraits to city scenes – where do you get your inspiration and reference from when painting?
 
Painting different subjects is a great way to develop painting skills.  That is why I do so many different things.  Portraits are the most demanding and also the most rewarding.  If you can paint a portrait well, you can paint anything.  
 
I spend time in Toronto regularly and find lots of inspiration, and I photograph things that I might want to paint.  My 20 year career as a photographer serves me well as a painter.

Do you have any upcoming exhibitions or events? Where can we find your work?
 
I will be at the annual Images Studio Tour during the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend, and exhibiting at the Leacock National Historic Site in Orillia.  Also, I have paintings on display at Twig Creative on 6 Peter Street and at Manticore Books in downtown Orillia.  I am participating in Midland's Quest Art School and Gallery "Art at Home" fundraising art-loan program, and their Art Slam speed painting event on September 21st.

Artist Bio: Murray​ ​Van​ ​Halem​ ​is​ ​a Canadian ​artist​ and educator ​who​ ​lives in Victoria Harbour, Ontario.  ​A​ ​graduate​ ​of Montreal’s​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Modern​ ​Photography, he began​ ​his​ ​career​ ​as​ ​a​ ​large-format​ ​commercial​ ​photographer and worked as a photojournalist,​ ​portrait​ ​photographer, magazine​ ​editor and ​writer.​ ​​ ​​Murray​​​ ​now​ ​explores light, form and space through paint.

Visit Murray's website and connect on facebook and instagram to discover more of his work!