Barb Springer-Sapergia

I was born and raised in Manitoba. I started exploring my lifelong love of painting at an early age at the Art Gallery of Western Manitoba. My parents recognized my early interest in all things art, and that I was happiest when drawing and painting. They always fully supported my artistic journey. The best gift I ever received was a package of drawing paper when I was only 9 or 10 years old.I was deeply influenced by my Aunt Beth, a potter, and Uncle Mac, who was a painter, both lifelong artists. I am proud to say that my Uncle Mac has artworks in the National Gallery permanent collection. I was also fortunate to have supportive teachers throughout school, and I graduated from Brandon University - Education, with emphasis on teaching art. I taught several art classes at the Elementary School in the small town of Birtle, Manitoba until starting my own family. That break from teaching led to an exploration in clay which became my singular focus for 30 years. I converted a lumber yard into a studio/gallery and earned a good living creating and selling my own work as well as the work of other artists. Eventually I moved with my husband, Ray Sapergia (also a noted artist) to Chemainus on Vancouver Island where we opened The Pottery Store. I was managing partner of the collective of six potters. In 2007 I felt the strong pull of my MUSE and got back into painting. I find endless inspiration in the beauty and architecture of our seaside city and in the everyday images I see around me. What interests me are textures and contrasts, light and dark, mood, reflections and how colour is affected by the environment. I like quirky subjects like pickles in a jar or an erotic carrot as well as traditional landscapes or still life.As I dusted off my paintbrushes, my left-brain interest in business led to a simultaneous career as a Certified Personal Tax Practitioner with about 500 clients. The seasonal nature of the tax biz allowed me to focus on creating artworks the rest of the year. I sold the tax business in 2018 clearing the way to focus 100% of my energy on painting. We have been living in Greater Victoria since 2011, close to our children and grandson, enjoying all that Vancouver Island has to offer...including winning tournaments of snooker and billiards. I am an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and on the executive of the local FCA Chapter. My artworks can be found in the collections of art lovers and at Central Art Studio Gallery in downtown Victoria.