
Colleen Reid
Artist. Architect. Professor
About
My career comprises of three intertwined strands;
an architectural practice concentrated on design for First Nations,
an academic career including a professorship and senior administrative positions at OCAD University,, in Toronto, Ontario.
and an artistic career including courses taken in varying institutions as well as my own practice.
I have practiced Architecture since 1984 and became a licensed architect in 1992. I have worked with Brook Carruthers Shaw Architects, Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects and others, and opened my own firm in 1995. I was Project Architect for Metro Hall in Toronto, a $220 million project for Metro Toronto. After moving to Hamilton in 1995 I began working with engineers from Six Nations, developing projects for many First Nations in Ontario. Most recently, I have worked on the feasibility studies for First Nations schools in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Eabametoong, First Nation. I designed and supervised the Youth and Elders Centre (Dajoh) at Six Nations, the community building at Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Administration & Council Chamber building at Saugeen First Nation.
I have taught at OCAD University since 1996, I am a fully tenured Professor. I have served in senior administrative positions in the Faculty of Design, including 11 years as Assistant Dean, Associate Dean and Interim Dean. At present I teach full time in the Environmental Design program (spatial design. ) In 2011 I taught art in the OCAD Florence program.
Throughout my career I have practiced art, as my central and life-long passion. In 2008 I took a one year leave of absence and completed an art Thesis at McMaster University. I have used my various skills and learning to serve my art, architecture and teaching. I am presently concentrating on further developing my art practice. The Pandemic has allowed me to reassess my work priorities and strengthen desire to develop my artistic practice. My increased concern over Climate Change has similarly underlined my concern for nature and our interaction with it.
A YouTube Interview
The Artists' Cut: The Art of Photo Transfer on Wood & Making Time for Your Art Practice
The Artists' Cut: The Art of Photo Transfer on Wood & Making Time for Your Art Practice
My Art
I have always been interested in why we are (I am) driven to create beauty in many forms and why it is so important in all of our lives. In the last few years climate change and the need to address sustainability in our personal lives, as well as in our work, has concentrated my desire to demonstrate nature and our interactions with it, within my art and design. I have followed this interest in the teaching of my students, helping them learn to design space that provides joy and comfort, as well as respecting our part within nature, and our impact on it.
Beauty, Nature and Our Man-made World
My artwork explores ideas of nature, beauty and the man-made world as well as their intertwined relationships. I like to play with collage, gel transfer prints and my photographic images of the world around me. I love the meditative act of stippling lines with nib and ink and exploring the extensive happy accidents of the ragged edges of gel transfers. I look for the beautiful patterns in nature and explore their juxtaposition with man-made objects as well as ourselves.
Recently I have become intrigued by the beauty in the decline of nature: the dying vines, flowers and leaves. Walking in the forest in the fall you are surrounded by incredible beauty, never mind just walking through the back alleys of west Hamilton. I find the skeletal remains of weeds and flowers, sometimes covered with small drifts of snow, absolutely stunning.
My desire is to share the beauty, joy and comfort I find in nature, as well as share my awe and respect for nature, particularly in this difficult period of time.
My hope is to underline the importance of nature, the incredible beauty of nature and the significance of our needed respect for it.
Contact Me
Email: cmreid@ocadu.ca
Instagram: colleenmarionreid
Website/Art: https://www.colleenreid.ca/
Website/ Architecture: https://colleenreid.format.com/about
QR to Process Videos on Instagram
Roses on Herkimer St.
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, gel transfer, watercolour, rice papers) on wood panel. 2024
Lilies at the Royal Botanical Gardens
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, gel transfer, watercolour, rice papers) on wood panel. 2024
St. Paul’s Spires (2)
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, gel transfer, rice papers) on wood panel. 2024
McNab Street, Painted Ladies
20” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, gel transfer, rice papers) on wood panel. 2024
James Street Turret
36”x 36”” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, gold leaf, gel transfer, rice papers) on wood panel. 2024
Burlington Victorian
18” x 18” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, silver leaf, gel transfer, rice papers) on found wood panel. 2024
Charlton & Bay Victorian
18” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, copper leaf, gel transfer) on wood panel. 2024
Stanley Ave
14” x 30” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, silver leaf, gel transfer) on live edge wood. 2023
Sold
House in New York State
14” x 14” Mixed Media (Ink, pencil crayon, silver leaf, gel transfer) on spalted maple. 2023
Sold
Ancaster Frog
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood. 2023
Sold
Ivy on Slate
16” x 20” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on slate roof tile, on spalted maple. 2023
Sold
Damselfly
10” x10” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
Sold
Jess
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
Introspection
10” x10” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
Sold
Water Patterns
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
Sold
Bed of Tulips
24” x24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
Burlington Heights Bridge
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
Portrait
10” x 10” ” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
The Kids
12” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2023
Lilies at Magnetewan
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022 09
Bonnie
12” x 12” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022
Dandelions
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022
Royal Botanical Gardens Marsh
24” x 48” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022
Sold
Tulips on James
8” x 8" Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022
Sold
Magnolias on Stanley
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022
Sold
Signs of Spring
12” x 12 ” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, pastel) on plywood panel. 2022
Sold
St. Paul’s Spires
24” x 32 ” Mixed Media (Ink, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022
Tapestry of Peonies
18'“ x 18” ” Mixed Media (Ink, pastel, watercolour, gel transfer) on plywood panel. 2022
Dundas Valley
24” x 32” Mixed Media (Ink, pastel, watercolour) on plywood panel. 2022
Sold
Sunflowers on Locke Street
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink) on plywood panel. 2022
Telephone Pole Vines
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink) on plywood panel. 2021
Sold
Wild Carrot
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink) on plywood panel. 2021
Dead Thistles in Cootes Paradise
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink) on plywood panel. 2021
Marsh at the Royal Botanical Gardens
24” x 32” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink) on plywood panel. 2021
Echinacea
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on plywood panel. 2021
Self Portrait
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on plywood panel. 2021
Iris and Lace
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on plywood panel. 2021
Weaving Irises
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on plywood panel. 2021
Untitled
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on mdf panel. 2021
Lacemaking
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, photo, ink) on plywood. 2021
Garth Street Cut
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on plywood panel. 2021
Grayden
24” x 36” Ink and watercolour on plywood panel. 2021
Deeply Rooted
12” x 18” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, photo, ink, watercolour, papers) on paper. 2020
Caelin
24” x 36” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, paper) on plywood panel and acrylic panel. 2019
Sold
Dundurn Castle
12” x 36” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, oil pastel) on plywood panel, 2019
Sold
Dreaming of the North
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour, pastel) on plywood panel. 2018
Home
48” x 48” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, oil pastel) on plywood panel, 2015
Drive to Elora
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, prints, oil pastel) on plexiglass panel, 2015
The Weight
24” x 36” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, photo, ink, watercolour, pencil) on plywood panel. 2011
Rome
24” x 36” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, photo, ink, watercolour, pencil) on plywood panel. 2011
Sold
Nautilus & Jellyfish
24” x 48” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on watercolour paper, 2009
Armour #2
24” x 48” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on watercolour paper, 2009
Armour
24” x 48” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on watercolour paper, 2009
Virginia Road
3 panels, 24” x 36” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, prints, ink, pastel) on acrylic sheets, 2009
Through the Window
24” x 48” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, ink, watercolour) on watercolour paper, 2008
Sold
Self Portrait with Armour
24” x 48” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, acrylic paint) on plywood panel and acrylic sheet, 2008
Dundas Farm
24” x 24” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, photo, ink, watercolour, pencil, print) on watercolour paper. 2008
Sold
Dundas Farm #2
24” x 48” Mixed Media (Gel transfer, photo, ink, watercolour, pencil, print) on watercolour paper. 2008