Meet Frankie!

How did you first hear about 4Cats?
I heard about the art studio a few months ago, after my daughter, Gina, had responded to an ad for a position as curator at 4CATS. She sold it to me …. not too difficult a task!!!

Why 4Cats?
It seemed like a dream come true… It felt like I had stumbled on the very thing I have spent my entire adult life looking for….

What is your favourite colour?
It continually changes …  I love colour!!! I have huge problems choosing my favourite colour …. I have been known to buy one dining chair in each colour to solve that dilemma. In the moment when I DO have a favourite in my head, I am obsessed with it …….

Favourite art quote?
“I want my life to be embedded in my work, crushed into my painting, like a pressed car.
If it’s not, my work is just some stuff.”  Julian Schnabel.

Who is your favourite artist and why?
There are many artists I admire…three come to mind though…Braque, Modigliani and Hundertwasser.
Braque, because when I was growing up, we had a copy of a Braque still life that hung in our dining room …. I developed an intimate connection to that picture.
Modigliani, because his portraits fascinate and inspire me.
Hundertwasser … he is wacky, brilliant, forward thinking, unique …. We had a Hundertwasser print hanging in our house when I was growing up …. I never tired of studying it.

Meet Gina!

How did you first hear about 4Cats?
I was living in New York for quite some time when a series of unexpected events brought me back to Vancouver. I began the relentless task of hunting for a job… I say relentless because it’s always a challenge to find work in the arts… and I was so hoping to find an opportunity to marry my interests in visual arts, theatre and teaching.

A posting for a curator position at 4Cats lured me  to the Kitsilano studio where, during my interview,  I was floored by the body of work created by 4Cats students and of course, the classes that inspired such outstanding artistry…

Why 4Cats?
It’s entirely authentic! Storytelling is a universal medium that teaches us great things about the world at large. 4Cats brings to life for students, the stories of renowned artists that revolutionized the arts and changed the course of history one creative step at a time. Students of 4cats are doing the same; looking to these stories for inspiration and creating works of art that celebrate a variety of techniques and mediums. Children are innately expressive and creative…to be a witness to this… well, it’s a gift!

What is your favourite colour?
Yesterday it was mustard yellow. Today, it’s blue.

Favourite art quote?
“It’s in you. Go and find it.” Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

Who is your favourite artist and why?
Marc Chagall…his paintings sing! He had a wonderfully evocative imagination and he used colour like no other!

Meet Andrea Mueller!

What is your background?
I went to Emily Carr College of Art and Design right out of high school then did the 2 year Jewellery Art & Design program at Vancouver Community College.

Why 4Cats?
I love art and I love stories. In this day and age when the arts are the first thing to be cut in school programs, I think something like 4 Cats is very much needed to make our world a better and more interesting place.

What is your favourite colour and why??
Hmmm, that’s a tough one. For me it depends on the season. In the Spring, it’s green of course. In the Fall its all about the hot colours of the changing leaves, red and orange and yellow. But if I HAD to choose just one, I think it would have to be blue.

Who is your favourite artist and why?
I’ve always loved the Impressionists, and Edgar Degas has long been a favourite. His paintings and pastels of the ballerinia’s capture the dancers movement so brilliantly, and his bronze studies also convey such incredible motion. I also love his use of colour and texture.

What is your favourite art medium, and why?
I’m a huge fan of collage and mixed media. I love paper of all kinds, from beautiful Japanese Chiyogami papers to old, yellowed book pages. I’m at my happiest when I’m sitting at my art table with some paper, scissors and glue.

So…any other interesting facts we should know about you?
I’ve just returned from 6 months in Europe and visited many of the galleries of the artists that 4 cats studies. Picasso in Barcelona and Malaga, Miro in Barcelona, Van Gogh in Amsterdam and various great works in The Louvre, The Tate Modern and many, many other museums.

Meet Hana!

What is your Educational background?
Fine Arts Training: Painting, Ceramics, Photography, Print-Making, Carpentry & Drawing.

How did you first hear about 4Cats?
Frankie (one of the West Van owners) and my mother had the good fortune of going to India together. My mother came back with great stories about her travels and fantastic stories about 4Cats Arts Studio – West Vancouver. It was so exciting to learn that a place like this (4Cats) exists!

Why 4Cats?
4Cats is truly special. It is a place where children are encouraged to be individuals and to show their true colours… literally and figuratively.

It is essential to me, to work in an environment that inspires people to be free and inspires students to see the positive! For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work in a profession where I can help make a difference. At 4Cats, I believe I can make a small but special difference – bringing a sense of happiness and positivity to a child’s experience.

What is your favourite colour and why?
Pink. I know, I’m girly, but I love many, many, many, many other colors too.

Who is your favourite artist and why?
Katsushika Hokusai and Vincent Van Gogh. Hokusai has an amazing life story and wonderfully inspiring and unique style. Van Gogh – I love the texture of his work!

What is your favourite art medium, and why?
Painting – I love using Acrylic Paint! I can create texture (thick, thick, thick) and I find it user friendly.

So…any other interesting facts we should know about you?

Favorite Quotes:
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the work will know peace.” – Indian Proverb

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some from behind. But I have bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me.” – Dr. Seuss.

Meet Becca MacKinnon!

Educational Background?
BFA- Major in Developmental Art
BEd- Elementary Education with a Minor in Environmental Education

How did you first hear about 4Cats?
In January of 2008 I had moved to the West Point Grey area of Vancouver. I had just sealed the deal on a place with a great rooftop art studio and as I was driving away I saw 4Cats! I couldn’t believe my luck! I mean, Warhol Marilyns, Yodas, and Lego! Three days later I was working there- what a dream! Since then I’ve had two kids and have moved to West Vancouver!

Why 4Cats?
At 4Cats, kids have a beautiful studio space where they have access to all the professional art supplies they need. The learning happens naturally through art conversation and telling of all the amazing life stories of history’s most celebrated artists. Kids learn good work habits and a variety of techniques through exploring a variety of media. I love it! I believe art education fosters critical thinking skills and develops a sense of self-efficacy in children. Creativity is the future!

What is your favourite colour and why?
I like blue… all kinds of blue. Periwinkle, when a hue of blue can’t decide if it wants to be purple… and turquoise next to a sunset of orange… and ultramarine- what’s more intense than ultramarine? And cobalt, and cerulean- so pretty!

Who is your favourite artist and why?
I love Turner’s tumultuous skies and Picasso’s blue period. I guess if I had to pick my absolute favourite it would have to be Van Gogh for his brush strokes

What is your favourite art medium, and why?
I’ve always enjoyed painting with acrylics- I love wood-burning and painting on wood- it’s probably my current favourite way of making art. In the past, I’ve done a lot of etching, serigraph, lithography, block printing, etc. I also love manipulating photographs but, now that everything is digital I find I do less of that.

So…any other interesting facts we should know about you?
Well, I don’t have 4Cats I just have one… and his name is Sigismundo Pandolfo Malatesta. I’m a ninja. Just kidding. Or am I?