Introducing France Laliberté and David Kearn
France and David are co-principals of Break-a-Brush® workshops. They launched Break-a-Brush® together in 2013, initially hosting painting workshops themed on master painters. Over the past 11 years, Break-a-Brush® has developed considerably and now includes on-line courses, seminars, mentoring, all whilst retaining its core of workshops. At the heart of Break-a-Brush® is a deep interest in every participant: individual attention aimed at encouraging what comes naturally: that learning is fun, everyone can push boundaries and creating will flow more easily.
France Laliberté
France obtained a Diploma in Interior Design from the Montréal Commission of Catholic Schools in 1992. She was Valedictorian of the graduating class and her design was chosen for display at that year’s instructor’s regional design conference. She has also worked extensively in both public and private industry in administration and linguistic services. France is a consummate empathetic, trilingual communicator in French, English and Spanish.
As co-principal of Break-a-Brush® France develops exercises aimed at reinforcing skills in Colour Theory, Composition and Abstraction. She has a particular interest in thought pieces on featured master artists including Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, Lawren Harris and Georgia O’Keefe. In the area of coaching, she works with participants on Pastels, Acrylics and Water Mixable Oils as well as drawing technique and finding the spark in compositions.
France also has extensive organizational skills. She has scheduled and managed programs for a wide diversity of clients including working with artistic, academic, government and private sectors. Her internet research, web content, copy editing and translation skills are continually in demand.
In her artistic endeavours, France has been attracted to sketching portraits from around the world. More recently, France has been painting in the style of Canadian greats, particularly Tom Thomson and David Milne. She loves to share her passion with others: “It is in our nature to reach out, to ask questions and to want to explore. An equally important part of us wants to have fun, share and laugh with others.” This precious momentum exists in all of us.
Contact France: france@davidkearn.com
Phone: 613 620 6737
David Kearn
From an early age, David was captivated by both art and science. He chose a career in Aerospace Engineering and in time, his innate love of art drew him inexorably towards creating.
David is inspired by painting people and capturing reflections of the human condition: “I’m constantly amazed that painting can communicate so much……patterns and emotion, the possibility of personality captured in expression and colour. I’m always searching for something unusual, perhaps a feeling of movement and internal dynamics…. so much more than what I immediately see.” David has evolved through a range of influences, both classic and contemporary: his respect for the achievements of the past carries into his work. Some have said that his art has a timeless quality.
He has completed a wide range of commissions for private clients in New York City, the U.K. and Montreal as well as throughout the Ottawa-Gatineau region. His solo exhibitions “Portraiture by the Foot” showed at the AOE Arts Council Gallery in 2012 and “The Descendants” at the Trinity Gallery in the Shenkman Arts Centre in 2014. He is a recipient of the Ted Marshall Memorial Scholarship from the Ottawa School of Art and for the past 12 years, David has also taught at the Ottawa School of Art. His instruction is a hit with novices and experienced artists alike and he is in demand with clubs and private groups throughout the region.
David’s openness, commitment and energy are infectious and have earned him the reputation of inspired artist, teacher and coach: “I’m enthused to combine my experience and love of art in each of our courses and workshops….working one-on-one and also in groups. Learning should always be an opportunity for growth as well as being motivating and fun.”
Contact David: david@davidkearn.com
Phone: 613 620 6737