Artist Statement
Life is complex and we view ourselves through the filters thrust upon us by our circumstances. Exploring colour, texture, and perspective in a variety of mediums and styles, I share a part of myself in each piece. From the hypnotic turn of the wheel to the stroke of the brush on canvas or paper, a sense of intrigue and mystery shines through in the beauty created.
Creating artworks that are significant to my life, referencing my past and how it has influenced my life today, is an important aspect of my art practice. Looking closer at my past has helped me to share my story while also inspiring others with the hope of overcoming darkness and trauma. I like using colour, texture in unusual ways, often creating non-typical portraits of people and animals. In my paintings, I switch between brush and palette knives, creating texture with each application of paint. Each layer added contains a variety of materials and techniques. Using image transfers and collage as a base, leads to an added texture. I use photographs that I have taken when I am out living life as inspiration for my work. Sometimes I am drawn to the intensity of the clouds in the sky or the contrast of the blues and greens, or shadows cast on the snow. Each photo captures a moment, and each painting captures my response to that moment. Using photographs as guides I adapt the painting or drawing to what feels satisfying loosely creating an image filled with beauty and emotions. Overcoming barriers, both real and perceived, has guided me to see beauty where others might not. This has pushed me to go beyond my comfort level and has helped me develop creatively. Incorporating imaginary and real subjects into each painting and ceramic piece brings a closer understanding of who I am and where I came from. Creating is a catalyst that brings a deeper understanding and healing of my past.
When darkness is flooded with light, imperfections become visible. For me, sharing my flaws under a positive light offers hope to others that we can rise above our circumstance and become stronger. Creating art is how I share life’s beauty.
Creating artworks that are significant to my life, referencing my past and how it has influenced my life today, is an important aspect of my art practice. Looking closer at my past has helped me to share my story while also inspiring others with the hope of overcoming darkness and trauma. I like using colour, texture in unusual ways, often creating non-typical portraits of people and animals. In my paintings, I switch between brush and palette knives, creating texture with each application of paint. Each layer added contains a variety of materials and techniques. Using image transfers and collage as a base, leads to an added texture. I use photographs that I have taken when I am out living life as inspiration for my work. Sometimes I am drawn to the intensity of the clouds in the sky or the contrast of the blues and greens, or shadows cast on the snow. Each photo captures a moment, and each painting captures my response to that moment. Using photographs as guides I adapt the painting or drawing to what feels satisfying loosely creating an image filled with beauty and emotions. Overcoming barriers, both real and perceived, has guided me to see beauty where others might not. This has pushed me to go beyond my comfort level and has helped me develop creatively. Incorporating imaginary and real subjects into each painting and ceramic piece brings a closer understanding of who I am and where I came from. Creating is a catalyst that brings a deeper understanding and healing of my past.
When darkness is flooded with light, imperfections become visible. For me, sharing my flaws under a positive light offers hope to others that we can rise above our circumstance and become stronger. Creating art is how I share life’s beauty.
Biography
Lee Beaton is a multi-disciplinary visual artist based in Portage la Prairie, MB. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours Degree at Brandon University while working full-time as the Manager of Gallery Operations at Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, the art gallery and performance theatre in Portage la Prairie. Beaton has held several solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group exhibits at several galleries including Between IV, at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba in Brandon in 2018. In 2019, the Community Foundation of Portage and District commissioned Beaton to create fifty unique conceptual paintings of their logo. Beaton was named Portage la Prairie’s Arts and Cultural Person of the Year for 2017. Her recent projects include a Solo Exhibition, Gala Fundraiser Paintings in Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment’s Pop-Up Gallery in 2020 and her 2021 Solo Exhibit, Wide Open in Winnipeg at Cre8ery Gallery & Studio. Life’s Journey: Persistence & Recovery solo exhibition at Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment in 2024 and Moments in Time solo exhibition at 210 Gallery in Winnipeg in early 2025.
Curriculum vitae
Lee Beaton
Drawing, Painting, Printmaking & Ceramics
505 8th St. N.W. Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2N2
204-856-6071
lee@leebeaton.com https://leebeaton.com/
Drawing, Painting, Printmaking & Ceramics
505 8th St. N.W. Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2N2
204-856-6071
lee@leebeaton.com https://leebeaton.com/
Education:
2016-present Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours, Brandon University, Brandon, MB
Employment:
2022-present. Manager of Gallery Operations, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2014-2022 Marketing & Events Coordinator, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2011-present Art Instructor, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, Golden Prairie Arts Council, Carman, Tiger Hills Arts Association, Holland.
Exhibitions Solo:
2025. A Moment in Time, 210 Gallery, Manitoba Arts Network, Winnipeg, MB
2024. Life's Journey: Persistance & Recovery, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2021 Wide Open Spaces, Cre8ery Gallery & Studio, Winnipeg, MB
2020 Gala Fundraiser Paintings, Pop-Up Gallery, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2017-2019 1000 Faces Hidden Within, Watson Arts Centre, Dauphin, MB, Arts Forward, Neepawa, MB and Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2015 Through My Eyes, Cre8ery Gallery & Studio, Winnipeg, MB
2014 People, Places & Things, Golden Prairie Arts Council, Carman, MB
2013 Structured/Self Expression, Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
Public Art Commissions:
2020 Community Foundation of Portage & District, 51 Paintings
2017 ROK Central Inc. Canada 150 Mural Project.
Exhibitions Group (Selected total number of group exhibitions 34):
2009-2020 PFAE Members Show, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2018 Between IV, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, MB
2018 Narratives, Printmaking II students, Pop-Up Gallery at Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2018 Drawing Truth, Erasing Stigma, Glen P Sutherland Gallery, Brandon University, Brandon, MB
2018 More than just the art…. Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2017 Mixer, Student Show, Glen P Sutherland Gallery, Brandon University, Brandon, MB
2016 99 Pieces of Art on the Wall, Cre8ery, Winnipeg, MB
2015 Geometric Journeys, Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2015 RAMP Central Group, Pembina Hills Arts Council, Morden, MB
2015 The Trinity Project, Portage & District Arts Centre, Boardroom Gallery, Portage la Prairie, MB
2015 Last Call at the Hall, Piano Nobile Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2014 Defining Moments, Cre8ery, Winnipeg, MB
2014 Don’t Blink, Piano Nobile Gallery, Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, November 9-16
2014 Distracting Abstracts, Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, June 1 to August 31
2012 Dakota Tipi First Nation Art Show, Dakota Tipi Gaming Centre
2012 Long Plains First Nation Art Show, Spirit Lodge Long Plains
Art Collections:
Stride Credit Union, Portage Transport, Christianson TDS, Cobbe’s Plumbing & Heating, McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, Craig Dunn GM, BDO Portage, Investors Group Portage, Southport Aerospace, Portage Clinic and private collectors.
Awards and Grants
2017 Arts/Cultural Person award from the city of Portage la Prairie
Workshops (instructed):
2011 – 2020 Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB. Basic Acrylics, Basic Watercolour, Portraiture, Fundamentals of Drawing, Image Transfer, Palette Knife Techniques Workshops
Artist Talks (Selected):
2019 1000 Faces Hidden Within, Watson Arts Centre, Dauphin, MB
2018 Between IV, Lunch and Learn, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, MB
2017 Manitoba Showcase, Russel, MB, Artist Panel
Jury Work:
2016-19 Manitoba Arts Network, Touring Artist Selection, Performing Artist Jury, Manitoba Rural and Northern Juried Art Exhibition
2018 Manitoba Arts Council, Artists in the Schools Panel
Volunteer Work:
2014-2022 Manitoba Arts Network Board of Directors, Regional Rep, VicePresident and Member at Large.
2007-2013 Exhibition Installation committee, Portage & District Arts Centre.
1994-2017 Parent Council, La Verendrye School, Portage Collegiate Institute.
Media Coverage:
The Winnipeg Free Press, Augutst 19, 2021 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2021/08/19/painting-positivity
The Graphic Leader, October 30, 2020 https://www.thegraphicleader.com/news/local-news/cfpd-thinking-outside-the-box-torecognize-donor-support
Portageonline.com, October 30, 2020 https://portageonline.com/local/foundation-thanks-donors-honours-25-years-withunique-paintings
The Winnipeg Free Press, Canstar Community News, Headliner, January 11, 2018 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/News-briefs-468847513.html
The Winnipeg Free Press, Canstar Community News, Headliner, July 10, 2017 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/The-many-faces-of-a-Portage-artist-433673843.html
The Winnipeg Free Press, Canstar Community News, Headliner, November 12, 2017 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/Portage-volunteer-artistand-coach-recognized-463450403.html
2016-present Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours, Brandon University, Brandon, MB
Employment:
2022-present. Manager of Gallery Operations, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2014-2022 Marketing & Events Coordinator, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2011-present Art Instructor, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, Golden Prairie Arts Council, Carman, Tiger Hills Arts Association, Holland.
Exhibitions Solo:
2025. A Moment in Time, 210 Gallery, Manitoba Arts Network, Winnipeg, MB
2024. Life's Journey: Persistance & Recovery, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2021 Wide Open Spaces, Cre8ery Gallery & Studio, Winnipeg, MB
2020 Gala Fundraiser Paintings, Pop-Up Gallery, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2017-2019 1000 Faces Hidden Within, Watson Arts Centre, Dauphin, MB, Arts Forward, Neepawa, MB and Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2015 Through My Eyes, Cre8ery Gallery & Studio, Winnipeg, MB
2014 People, Places & Things, Golden Prairie Arts Council, Carman, MB
2013 Structured/Self Expression, Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
Public Art Commissions:
2020 Community Foundation of Portage & District, 51 Paintings
2017 ROK Central Inc. Canada 150 Mural Project.
Exhibitions Group (Selected total number of group exhibitions 34):
2009-2020 PFAE Members Show, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB
2018 Between IV, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, MB
2018 Narratives, Printmaking II students, Pop-Up Gallery at Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2018 Drawing Truth, Erasing Stigma, Glen P Sutherland Gallery, Brandon University, Brandon, MB
2018 More than just the art…. Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2017 Mixer, Student Show, Glen P Sutherland Gallery, Brandon University, Brandon, MB
2016 99 Pieces of Art on the Wall, Cre8ery, Winnipeg, MB
2015 Geometric Journeys, Portage & District Arts Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
2015 RAMP Central Group, Pembina Hills Arts Council, Morden, MB
2015 The Trinity Project, Portage & District Arts Centre, Boardroom Gallery, Portage la Prairie, MB
2015 Last Call at the Hall, Piano Nobile Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2014 Defining Moments, Cre8ery, Winnipeg, MB
2014 Don’t Blink, Piano Nobile Gallery, Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, November 9-16
2014 Distracting Abstracts, Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, June 1 to August 31
2012 Dakota Tipi First Nation Art Show, Dakota Tipi Gaming Centre
2012 Long Plains First Nation Art Show, Spirit Lodge Long Plains
Art Collections:
Stride Credit Union, Portage Transport, Christianson TDS, Cobbe’s Plumbing & Heating, McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, Craig Dunn GM, BDO Portage, Investors Group Portage, Southport Aerospace, Portage Clinic and private collectors.
Awards and Grants
2017 Arts/Cultural Person award from the city of Portage la Prairie
Workshops (instructed):
2011 – 2020 Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Portage la Prairie, MB. Basic Acrylics, Basic Watercolour, Portraiture, Fundamentals of Drawing, Image Transfer, Palette Knife Techniques Workshops
Artist Talks (Selected):
2019 1000 Faces Hidden Within, Watson Arts Centre, Dauphin, MB
2018 Between IV, Lunch and Learn, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, MB
2017 Manitoba Showcase, Russel, MB, Artist Panel
Jury Work:
2016-19 Manitoba Arts Network, Touring Artist Selection, Performing Artist Jury, Manitoba Rural and Northern Juried Art Exhibition
2018 Manitoba Arts Council, Artists in the Schools Panel
Volunteer Work:
2014-2022 Manitoba Arts Network Board of Directors, Regional Rep, VicePresident and Member at Large.
2007-2013 Exhibition Installation committee, Portage & District Arts Centre.
1994-2017 Parent Council, La Verendrye School, Portage Collegiate Institute.
Media Coverage:
The Winnipeg Free Press, Augutst 19, 2021 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2021/08/19/painting-positivity
The Graphic Leader, October 30, 2020 https://www.thegraphicleader.com/news/local-news/cfpd-thinking-outside-the-box-torecognize-donor-support
Portageonline.com, October 30, 2020 https://portageonline.com/local/foundation-thanks-donors-honours-25-years-withunique-paintings
The Winnipeg Free Press, Canstar Community News, Headliner, January 11, 2018 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/News-briefs-468847513.html
The Winnipeg Free Press, Canstar Community News, Headliner, July 10, 2017 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/The-many-faces-of-a-Portage-artist-433673843.html
The Winnipeg Free Press, Canstar Community News, Headliner, November 12, 2017 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/Portage-volunteer-artistand-coach-recognized-463450403.html
