Kelly Baskin is a hyper-realist artist based out of Toronto, ON. Baskin graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a minor in Art History from Queen’s University where she specialized in oil painting. In recent years, she has taken a special interest in Art Education and is passionate about the technology of artist's materials. Baskin is Head of Fine Art Education and a Professional Artist with a FILA Group- Dixon Ticonderoga Company, representing some of the world's leading Fine Art brands including Canson, Strathmore, Arches, Saunders, Bockingford, Daler-Rowney, Princeton and Maimeri.
Baskin works primarily as a commissioned-based Artist. Most well-known for her portraits of animals.
“As long as people have made art, there have been portraits. Whether they were painted, sculpted, or drawn, portraits were something that was reserved for those important enough to be honoured with a work of art bearing their likeness. I find it fascinating how intimate it is to be looking at a portrait of someone you have never met and feel as if you know all about them. For that reason, whether it’s a human or an animal, I always pay special attention to the eyes- the most telling feature of a face."
Baskin hopes to continue to explore the relationship between the viewer and the painting in her own practice by creating work that will invite the viewer to connect with the painting through their own experiences and associations. Her work entitled, ‘Fleeting’ is the beginning of this series that will illustrate the fluidity of memories by incorporating various modes of mixed-media, mark-making, collage, and transparent/opaque layering in juxtaposition with her signature hyper-realistic style.
Baskin’s work has been exhibited and showcased throughout Canada including Vancouver, BC, and throughout Ontario: Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston, Vaughan, Aurora, Uxbridge, Newmarket, Ottawa. Her work entitled, “Jay” was awarded first place in the oil painting category by the Society of York Region Artists. “Jay” also received People’s Choice Award and is now housed in a private residency. “Presence of a Nightwalker” is currently exhibited in Magnotta Winery’s permanent collection and utilized for upcoming wine label artwork.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________