About Artist:
The hallmarks of Leif's works are harmony and spontaneity. "I want my paintings to glow with the same warmth and vitality as a lyric sung by Ella Fitzgerald or Dinah Washington. Any subject that lends itself to that kind of charm is the next one I brush onto the canvas." Whatever subject he chooses begins with a simple line drawing in chalk, sketched directly onto the canvas. Next a monotone pallet is prepared and the drawing blocked in. With the structure now in place, the colour is applied - always in rich, luminous tones. "I'm very conscious of that," he says. "People respond instinctively to beautiful colour." Leif has made Toronto his home since moving there to study art almost twenty years ago, but he returns to his roots often. The northern British Columbia terrain is just one of the sources of inspiration for his vivid landscapes.

Statement:
"Life is hard, painting should give us relief from that. I want to draw people out of the shadows, give them a break - if only just for a few moments"

History:
Leif Ostlund has been painting for more than two decades. Born in Prince George, B.C., with as he describes it, "a paintbrush in my hand," there was little doubt what he would do in the future. His mother, Olive Nehring and his uncle Dave Nehring, both accomplished painters, provided him with a rich, informal training. Leif went on to attend the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, where he was awarded two scholarships and graduated with honors.