I was born in Montreal, Quebec and grew up on Cape Breton Island on the East Coast of Canada. The expanse and beauty of the Atlantic Ocean (the visual backdrop to my teenage years) left an indelible impression. Introduced to art in junior high school, I discovered Vincent Van Gogh, drawing and photography. High school led to art school and a visit to New York City where the treasures of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art were revealed and I got to see my favorite painting in person - Van Gogh's, The Starry Night.

When I look at my art now and thinks back to those days, I can see where my desire to paint with bold colors, create rich textures and explore abstract themes was born.

I am completely self-taught. I let my instincts guide me and the resulting, growing body of work has been branded: TOUCH THE ART! Every painting I create is completed in one sitting - no matter how long it takes. My goal when I create is to capture one creative moment in time, blend all the colors while the paint is wet so the blending is seamless and to create wonderful, touchable textures. I combine vibrant colors with a multitude of textures that make people not only want to look at my art, but also touch it - which I encourage. I want people to not only feel the power of color to intrigue, delight and uplift, but to literally explore the tactile reality of paint on canvas... to experience my art with more than one sense.

Nature plays a major role in my artwork, as does the lure of the abstract. As I continue to create, my textures evolve as I experiment with new and different ways to manipulate paint even as I'm creating the overall work. My color palette grows as well as I strive to bring unexpected combinations of colors together in a harmonious way that will intrigue the eye.

I have a choice as an artist when it comes to the intent behind my creations. I can choose to illuminate the negative in hopes of fostering change, or I can choose to elevate the beautiful that already exists.

My antidote against negativity is color. Color is my shield against the darkness. Color is my battle cry against a world that would paint us all in shades of black, in shades of white, in shades of nothing - white walls, black walls, blank walls.

Color has the power to uplift, soothe, calm, energize, inspire. I am also excited by textures and energized by movement. My art is meant to be touched. The desire to touch is instinctive when people view my art in person so I encourage them to do just that. By enabling them to engage with my art work on a more personal level their experience is intensified and suddenly 'art' becomes something more. Touch my art and feel something, anything... but have an art experience like no other and call it your own.

By making my art touchable, I reject the conventions that force us to keep our hands in our pockets and our enthusiasm politely in check even while our fingers and minds and hearts are itching to touch, to get involved, to engage.

I am constantly inspired by the city I live in because I am minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, the North Shore Mountains and the stunning beauty that is Stanley Park.

Ahsta Blu