BIO

Geoff Farnsworth (b. 1968, Kimberley, B.C.) began his art training in Vancouver, B.C. at the Federation of Canadian Artists, Emily Carr, and Capilano College in the Graphic Design & Illustration Program. Kiff Holland, who taught and inspired Geoff in painting and life drawing, introduced him to the Art Students League in New York City.

Geoff trained at the Art Students League from 1997 to 2002. Working from the human model in figurative realist classes, then painting in the abstract painting studios of William Scharf and Frank O’Cain; a figurative abstract process took hold in Geoff’s work. Exploring linocuts and monotypes in Richard Pantell’s printmaking studio prompted new combinations.

In 2002, a move to Toronto where his artist sister and writer aunt live, concentrates his studio art practice and direction. Moving to Thunder Bay five years later heightens appreciation for nature and environment and enters his paintings.

Relocating to Niagara Falls four months after the birth of his daughter, Skye, a new period begins in his painting and life.

Geoff currently lives and paints in St. Catharines. He taught part-time in the Graphic Design Program at Niagara College, and at Willow Arts Community, served on the board for Niagara Artists Centre, and has been a guest artist at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, where his work was exhibited, and published through Small Walker Press.

His paintings have been shown in Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Niagara, New York City, Washington DC, Minneapolis, Sweden, Norway, and Trinidad.

“My paintings explore a relationship between figurative and abstraction in order to meld unconscious probing and stylistic innovation with a meditative figural base.  It is important to me that the paintings work well as collections of shape, colour, texture, and energy, while also building a compelling image. Working with people and objects from my personal world, I focus on maintaining a balance between plan and accident, known and unknown, restraint and exuberance.  My figures look out as much into mindscape as landscape.”