Painting has been a pastime of mine since the age of three. I have had some formal training in it. Back in Architecture school at McGill, we had weekly freehand drawing class. They were relaxing, far more so than the engineering courses. I didn’t even mind waking up early on the coldest of January Saturdays to attend them. Upon moving to Toronto I took a couple of courses at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Now, on occasion I attend a local open life-drawing studio. Most of my paintings evolve in the small studio space off our kitchen.
In 2011, my work was part of a group exhibit based on the theme “Travel and the Environment” at the John B. Aird gallery in Toronto. The “Heath River” sketch in the exotic category won a “Juror’s Choice” award. It was based on a boat ride into the jungles of Peru and Bolivia that my wife and I were on. Since then my works have annually been featured at the Aird gallery.
I also enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. Nature is my greatest inspiration.
Aamer Mitta