Bio
Jodi Kitto-Ward grew up in Oakville, Ontario and acquired an education and career in business and accounting. She later pursued her interest in art, enrolling in part-time studies at Sheridan College and eventually graduating from their Fine Arts program. Today, as an award-winning artist with work in private collections, Kitto-Ward exhibits in group and international juried exhibitions and is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists, the Ontario Society of Artists, and the Colour and Form Society. Kitto-Ward works from her home studio in Hamilton, ON, where she lives with her husband and their two children.
Painting mainly in acrylic, Kitto-Ward derives inspiration from nature, the city, and everyday life, observing the beauty of design occurring in places considered unusual or ordinary. The use of metaphors in her artwork conveys concept as well as dictates the direction of the piece. Strongly influenced by line, colour, and expression, Kitto-Ward has a style that is representational, vibrant, and simplified in form, evoking influences of Pop Art and Art Deco. Kitto-Ward is represented by Paula White Diamond Art Gallery + Design Studio in Waterloo, ON and the Art Gallery of Hamilton Art Sales + Services in Hamilton, ON.
Artist Statement
My inspiration in terms of my choice of subjects comes from art and the beauty of design that naturally occurs in places that are considered unusual and/or “ordinary.” A composition can be based on something I’m first taken with visually, intellectually, or emotionally, although I consider the intersections of all three of these before deciding if what I see before me will become a painting. Once a composition is chosen based on visuals, depth, and meaning, my design is drawn on the canvas using line and simplified shapes. This creates the freedom to then focus solely on colour. Paint is applied evenly and hard edges are used to accentuate the colours, as well as also the overall design. I intend to create art that is alive with interpretation and emotion, offering another way of observing life and inspiring connective thinking. The act of painting is so intertwined with the subconscious and universal, it allows a pure flow of truth to come forth that will hopefully connect with the viewer.
@jodi.kitto.ward
