ARTIST STATEMENT
EXHIBITION HISTORY
GALLERIES
MY FAVORITES


Artist Statement -



Light and sense of place are key elements that inspire Ian Sheldon to paint. His subject is consequently varied, from the open spaces of his native prairie land, to the abandoned buildings of pioneer homesteads in the North American west, or the dramatic architecture of the cities where he has lived.

Ian was born in Edmonton in 1971, and was brought up in South Africa, Singapore and England. While studying for his first degree (BA Hons) at Cambridge University, England, Ian began to paint the historical architecture of the city. Since 1994 galleries have exhibited this work, and in 1998, Cambridge Contemporary Art, the city's leading commercial gallery, accepted his watercolours. The City of Oxford, sharing a similar architectural heritage, has become a recent focus, and his work has been shown by Objet d'Art in Woodstock, England since 1996. Ian makes frequent trips to Britain to pursue his architectural passion.

Ian is a self-taught artist, who believes that his true understanding of artistic self-expression will come best through his experimentation with various media over time. He believes that as he ages, the wisdom that he gains with experience will be powerfully reflected in his paintings. Ian now holds three degrees, including a MA in the Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, and a MSc from the University of Alberta. His studies in the natural sciences are reflected in some of his subject choices, but the learning experience has more importantly taught him about the significant influences in his life, and these are currently reflected in his most recent works.

In addition to the architectural watercolour studies, Ian has directed his interests to the Western Canadian wilderness. This has successfully combined his passion for the arts with his academic interest in the natural world. Many of his pieces demonstrate his strong spiritual connection and sense of place to the northern forests. These striking landscapes have been well received in Canada and overseas, earning him First Prize for Landscapes at the Alberta 2000 Winter Games Art Exposition. As an extension of the philosophical basis for his landscapes, Ian has recently turned to exploring people's connections to the land through the rural architectural landscape.

Ian is also an accomplished writer and illustrator with more than 30 books published by Lone Pine Publishing. His nature guides for North America now grace bookshelves across the continent, and many more are slated for the press. These include a guide for Ecuador, a voluntary project aiming to increase conservation awareness in Ecuador.

Artist Exhibitions



2004 - Dark Skies
A solo show at The Lola Gallery in San Francisco
2004 - Earth & Sky
A two person private exhibition of land and skyscapes by Ian Sheldon and sculptures by Delayne Corbett; a one day show only in May at the Uppercrust Cafe, Edmonton, Canada.
2003 - Back to the Land
A two person exhibition of land and skyscapes by Ian Sheldon and Rob Furlong at Art Is Vital Gallery, Calgary, Canada
2002 - Riding the Range
Group show of work inspired by the American West at Lola Gallery, Mission Street, San Francisco
2002 - Light and its Changing Moods
Willow Gallery, Toronto, Two person show featuring recent land and skyscapes by Ian Sheldon
2001 - New Arrivals
New works by gallery artists - Art Is Vital Gallery, Calgary
2001 - Across Canada
Group landscapes show from BC to Quebec - Willow Gallery
2001 - January Mixed Show
Group show by gallery artists - Cambridge Contemporary Art
2000 - The 2000 Alberta Winter Games Art Show
Group show, juried exhibit, landscapes
stival Place, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
1999 - Silent Buildings
Solo show of architectural watercolours of Western Canada
Ziegler-Hughes Gallery, Edmonton, AB, Canada
1999 - A Sense of Place
Solo show of landscapes in oil, gouache and watercolour
Centre Club, Edmonton, AB, Canada
1999 - Images of Cambridge
Group exhibit of Cambridge inspired art
Cambridge Contemporary Art, England
1998 - Through the Eyes of the Artists
Group show, landscapes
Elk Island National Park, AB, Canada
1998 - Cambridge Views
Group exhibit of Cambridge inspired art
Cambridge Contemporary Art, England
1998 - Orchids
Solo show
Devonian Botanic Gardens
1998 - Orchids
Solo show
Ziegler-Hughes Gallery, Edmonton, AB, Canada...

Artist Publications



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Artist Collections



Numerous private, corporate, museum, gallery and government collections detailed information coming soon.

Artist Favorites