Barbara Goretzky

Barbara Goretzky, resides in the valley town of Lumsden, Saskatchewan. She is a

professional artist working across the mediums of ceramics, painting, and printmaking.

Initially drawn to photography and printmaking during her BFA studies at the University

of Saskatchewan, Barbara's artistic journey took a turn when she discovered a passion

for ceramics. She developed a variety of ceramic production lines, from Raku-fired wall

pieces to handbuilt water fountains and garden planters, which she successfully

exhibited and marketed across Canada through galleries, gift shops, and craft shows.

Feeling a disconnect from her artistic voice, Barbara made the bold decision to return

to university, earning her BFA in painting with Distinction and the Dean's Medal in Fine

Arts from the University of Regina in 2014. Since graduating, she has participated in

several Artist in Communities Residencies and Projects, funded by SkArts grants.

Several of the projects engaged a variety of community groups, including the Lumsden

Historical Museum, South Shore Elementary School, Lumsden Royal Canadian Legion,

and Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home. Within these projects, Barbara has explored

themes ranging from pre-contact heritage, school mottos, remembrance, and life’s

celebrations to create collaborative large scale murals.

Barbara is a recent member of the Regina Art Collective and will be exhibiting her

acrylic and gold leaf paintings on canvas. Each canvas depicts a flower in full bloom

with it’s accompanying insect protagonist. Barbara infuses realism with bursts of colour

and energy in her vibrant flower and insect paintings, exploring the cycle of life and

death. Her work echoes the spirit of "Viva la Vida,"celebrating life's fleeting beauty.

Artist's Statement

I specialize in creating vivid, larger-than-life flower and insect paintings with a realistic flair. Drawing inspiration from the lush landscapes of prairie gardens, my work bursts with saturated colours and patterns.

While my paintings exude vitality and energy, they also carry a deeper message about the cycle of life and death. Just as the insects may unwittingly hasten the demise of the flowers they inhabit, so too do these delicate creatures mirror our own mortality. Through the delicate interplay of flowers and insects, I explore themes of mortality and resilience, echoing the timeless tradition of memento mori.

Inspired by Frida Kahlo's defiant embrace of life in her final painting, "Viva la Vida,(Long Live Life),” I seek to infuse my own work with a similar spirit of celebration. In a world often overshadowed by technology and consumerism, my paintings serve as a reminder to cherish the beauty and joy which surrounds us, encouraging viewers to live each moment to the fullest.

Contact

For more information or to purchase a piece of work, please contact Barbara directly.

E-mail: goretzky@sasktel.net