Esmie Gayo McLaren shares stories that provide healing and hope, rekindling joy and inspiration. She tells of passion, labour, simplicity, and childish abandon. She romanticizes, re-lives adventures, asks questions, and embraces subjects that resonate with her being, as artist, woman, and global citizen. Emphasizing motion and emotion, she narrates about lightness of spirit in the whirls of skirts and spontaneous play. And as if to rejuvenate and rekindle, her stories return to nature and garden.
McLaren works in both oils and watercolours, using either paper or canvas support for the latter. She enjoys texturizing canvas with gesso and grounds which add an element of play, strength, and an extra dimension of movement.
Based in Vancouver, Canada, McLaren is a prolific Filipino Canadian artist whose works have garnered awards such as Best Work on Paper, Best of Show, and Excellence in Figurative Work. She exhibits regularly: solo or in group, juried or by invitation. Sometimes the lines are blurred between her art and community work as she enjoys bridging cultures and extending help to artists.
McLaren artworks are represented by Jeunesse Gallery of Fine Arts, Vancouver, B.C.
Artist Bio Summary
Esmie Gayo McLaren: Visual artist; Liaison at Pacific Canada Heritage Centre Museum of Migration Society; Producer of “Essence Exhibition I & II – art celebrating the roles, struggles, and triumphs of all women” (North Vancouver and Ottawa); Past Advisor at Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society; organizer of Asian Waters Watercolour Trio Exhibition; Co-organizer with the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver and the North Vancouver Community Arts Council for Manny Baldemor’s and local artists’ “Harana” Exhibition in Vancouver; Co-Chair Pagtitipon Art Exhibition 2015; Past Vice President of Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society; Past Chair of Generation One Art Exhibition.
Education: Certificate in Fine Art Techniques from Emily Carr University; Univ. of Alberta Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Psychology; workshops at Academy of Art (Vancouver), Federation of Canadian Artists, Mandy Boursicot Atelier, and Gerry Thompson Studio; ongoing life drawing at her studio and at Basic Inquiry
Endeavours: Create with gusto and heart; do solo shows, juried art exhibitions, and invitationals; maintain gallery representation; paint commissions; present art talks; use my art experience in community work, especially as liaison between artists and the community and as connection between cultures; create and share bodies of work locally and internationally.
Art Affiliations: Federation of Canadian Artists (Canada), active member; Society of Philippine American Artists (NY); International Watercolor Society; International Watercolor Society Canada; Basic Inquiry; Portrait Society of America
Esmie Gayo McLaren 