Olaf Schneider (1964 - Still Alive!!!)   AAS, SAC, PSC, OPA,

Known as Olaf, is a prolific Canadian painter inspired by the power and diversity of the northern landscape.  An explorer by nature, the artist travels across Canada, gaining inspiration and discovering new color combinations by painting outdoors on location. 

His large-scale canvases are necessarily created in the studio. 

Olaf uses color, light, and brushwork to achieve visual harmony.  He captures the movement of water, as well as the freshness and clarity of sunlight, which seems to glisten on his surfaces.  In describing himself as well as other artists of “representational art,” he writes: “Each dab is stimulated by the details that I observe; we see what others miss and then make it compelling.  We proudly push and alter the colours to suit our ravenous needs.  We improvise right on the spot.”   

The artist experiments with a variety of subjects -- from Canadian landscapes and canoe scenes to paintings of marbles and chairs.  Through his art, he expresses his love for life and affinity for vibrant colour.  Olaf explains: “I paint an image and convey an emotional context that is accessible to the viewer.  I like to use expressive and thick impastoed brushstrokes or soft, blended strokes to render a sense of movement and texture, giving the painting a life of its own. 

My interpretation of color also sets the dynamic mood.  The tones often range from the darkest to the lightest in an effort to achieve maximum drama.  This creative combination of ‘information’ is spontaneous and intuitive.”

Schooled at the Ontario College of Art, Sheridan College, Olaf resides in the Toronto area.   His paintings are widely exhibited in Toronto, Quebec, Alberta and throughout North America, as well as in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.  He has been heralded with top honors in International Artist Magazine.  

Education

Ontario College of Art, Sheridan College.

Solo Exhibitions

2009 - Mercedes Benz  - Mississauga, Ontario

2009 - Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition - Toronto, Ontario

2009 - Deerhurst Inn - Huntsville, Ontario

2009 - Homer Watson Gallery

2008 - Gallery DeLisle

2008 - WinHenstock Gallery

2007 - Westmount Gallery, Ontario

2006 - Bond Head Gallery, Ontario

2006 - Ima Gallery - Toronto

2005 - 2009 - Buckhorn Fine Art Exhibition - Buckhorn, Ontario

2005 - 2009 - Westmount Gallery

2005 - The Distillery – The Fermenting Building

2003 - 2009 Toronto Art Expo

2005 - Hummingbird Centre – Solo Show

2004 - Interior Design Show

2004 - McMichael Gallery - Kleinburg

2003 - 2006 International Artists Magazine

2002 - 2004 - Art of the Automobile - Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver

1998 - 2004 Formula 1 – Montreal, Indianapolis, USA Grand Prix.

Group Exhibitions

2009 - Boston International Art Fair

2008 - Miller Gallery - Cinncinatti - Ohio

2008 - WinHenstock Gallery - Oakville, Ontario

2008 - Westmount Gallery - Toronto, Ontario

2007 - Miller Gallery - Cinncinatti - Ohio

2007 - Scottsdale Art Gallery - Arizona

2007 - Art Appreciation - Barrie, Ontario

2006 - Westmount Gallery - Timeless Realism

2005 - 2006 -  Buckhorn Fine Art Show

2006 - Kipling Gallery Woodbridge, Ontario

2006 - Manitou Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2006 - Latino America International

2005 - Algonquin Art Centre

2003 - 2007 - Westmount Gallery

2004 - 2006 Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Art Centre

2003 - Port Credit Outdoor Art Show - Mississauga

2002 - 2005 - Hummingbird Centre, Toronto

2000 - Living Arts Centre Outdoor   Art Exhibit, Mississauga

1999 - 2002 - Airbrush Excellence Competition First Place Winner

1998 - 2004 Colors & Form Society

1998 - 2002 Molson Indy - Toronto / Vancouver

Publications

Ducks Unlimited 2007, 2009

Etobicoke Guardian

Scarborough Mirror

Vaughan Weekly

George Chuvalo Fight Against Drugs

International Artist

Art Fix

WPBS Television

Algonquin Park news

The Huntsville Forrester

24 Hours

Toronto Life

Magazin’art Biennial Guide 2004 - 2005 - 2006

Creative Source 1989, 2004

Toronto Sun

Toronto Star

Montreal Gazette

Corporate and Private Collections

Ducks Unlimited 2007, 2009

Make a Wish Foundation

George Chuvalo Fight Against Drugs Foundation - Canada

Paul Smith’s College – New York

Make a wish Foundation - Toronto

Hospital for Sick Children -Toronto

Jessie Centre for Teenagers - Toronto                             

Ontario Provincial Police - Canada

Labatt Breweries Ltd. Ontario, Canada                           

Evian Canada

Gilles Villeneuve Museum – Quebec                 

Chapters Indigo Canada

Mercedes-Benz – Toronto                                 

Ford Ontario

Ferrari North America                                        

Apple Canada

Governor General of Madrid, Spain                   

L.L.C.B.O.

Art Gallery of Ontario                                         

Centennial College

Van Moorehem Barristers - Ontario                   

Hospital for Sick Children - Montreal                 

Block Parents Foundation - Canada