Vanaja Cotroneo
Oil
Acrylic
Vanaja started painting while working a full time job. She was always artistic, but it was not until 1995 that she started painting in earnest. After overcoming a serious accident in 1996, she resumed her efforts to enjoy fulfilling her aspirations in 1998.
A Toronto/Mississauga artist, Vanaja received her art education from many esteemed artists through various workshops, and at the Haliburton School of the Arts, Loyalist College and portraiture classes at OCAD. Most of her work is a visual narrative inspired by her extensive travels. All this is reflected in her paintings in the wide array of subject matter capturing those moments, or in capturing nature and the brilliance of forests and flowers. She also paints pet portraits for charity. Her works have been exhibited in a number of shows and won many awards.
She is an active member of:
- Art Guild of Scarborough (Exhibition Chair on Executive)
- Arts on the Credit
- East Central Ontario Art Association
- Central Ontario Art Association
- Oakville Art Society
Vanaja also had the privilege of being invited to judge the following art competitions:
1) Children’s Painting Competition for Freedom 24 (New Horizon Media Arts, May 2024)
2) Panorama India’s Art Competition, July 2024
Website: Vanaja-Fineart.com
Acrylic
Vanaja started painting while working a full time job. She was always artistic, but it was not until 1995 that she started painting in earnest. After overcoming a serious accident in 1996, she resumed her efforts to enjoy fulfilling her aspirations in 1998.
A Toronto/Mississauga artist, Vanaja received her art education from many esteemed artists through various workshops, and at the Haliburton School of the Arts, Loyalist College and portraiture classes at OCAD. Most of her work is a visual narrative inspired by her extensive travels. All this is reflected in her paintings in the wide array of subject matter capturing those moments, or in capturing nature and the brilliance of forests and flowers. She also paints pet portraits for charity. Her works have been exhibited in a number of shows and won many awards.
She is an active member of:
- Art Guild of Scarborough (Exhibition Chair on Executive)
- Arts on the Credit
- East Central Ontario Art Association
- Central Ontario Art Association
- Oakville Art Society
Vanaja also had the privilege of being invited to judge the following art competitions:
1) Children’s Painting Competition for Freedom 24 (New Horizon Media Arts, May 2024)
2) Panorama India’s Art Competition, July 2024
Website: Vanaja-Fineart.com
ARTIST STATEMENT
Time flies when I paint, whether I’m holding a brush or a palette knife. The the vibrancy of acrylics, and the buttery feel of oils transport me into a different frame of mind.
I see beauty and inspiration wherever I am, whether it be southern France, Italy, India, or right here in Ontario, Canada; whether it be sounds of ocean waves or the colours of flowers. In translating them on to canvas, I revisit these places in my paintings, and I am reminded of the sounds, the smell, the joy and excitement I experienced.I want to take you along to experience my adventures with me.
My art will bring out that spark of light and joy in you, that breathless awe, the wonder…Vanaja
Time flies when I paint, whether I’m holding a brush or a palette knife. The the vibrancy of acrylics, and the buttery feel of oils transport me into a different frame of mind.
I see beauty and inspiration wherever I am, whether it be southern France, Italy, India, or right here in Ontario, Canada; whether it be sounds of ocean waves or the colours of flowers. In translating them on to canvas, I revisit these places in my paintings, and I am reminded of the sounds, the smell, the joy and excitement I experienced.I want to take you along to experience my adventures with me.
My art will bring out that spark of light and joy in you, that breathless awe, the wonder…Vanaja