Mieke Van Geest: Photographic Artist
Exploring Spirit in Nature

“Every true artist has had real, direct, and immediate contact with the beauty of the world, contact that is of the nature of a Sacrament."          Simone Weil

     

  

I originally came to photography through a background in the visual arts, particularly in painting and drawing, studying both at the University of Toronto, the Toronto Three Schools of Art, and the Ontario College of Art and Design. I also hold a graduate diploma in art therapy from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.

While mostly self-taught in photography, I have benefited greatly from the work and teachings of other photographers, such as Freeman Patterson, Courtney Milne (r.i.p.) and Richard Martin. I also owe a debt to the Napanee Photo Club for several years of providing a context which nurtured and encouraged my photography, offered much practical information and early opportunities for presentation of my photographs and slide shows. Not least, years of teaching, with an emphasis on mentoring, has connected me with many beginning photographers, whose enthusiasm and visions encourage and inspire me.

I have been involved in a variety of photographic work, including productions and exhibition of art photography, slide-music presentations, wedding and other commercial photography, and especially in the teaching of creative photography.  (see Teaching Page).      

A 2015 book of my work on water:  At Water's Edge: Surface, Depth, Illusion, is available by contacting me or online at: http://www.blurb.ca/b/6508905-at-water-s-edge-surface-depth-illusion    

Curriculum Vitae

Solo Exhibitions

2021         Reflections on Form and Energy, KGH Gallery, Kingston, Ontario

2009        “Shadow Illumination”, Verb Gallery, Kingston, Ont.
2000         Featured artist, Gallery 121,  Belleville, Ont.
1999        “Exploring the Body in Light and Shadow:  black & white figure photography”,
                State of Flux Gallery, Kingston, Ont.
1999         Color photographs, Windmill’s Café, Kingston, Ont.
1999         Presentation of 1st, 2nd , 3rd place award-winning audio-visual shows,
                Camera Canada College, Canadian Association of Photographic Arts (CAPA), Calgary, Alta.
1998        “Natural Abstraction”, Addington’s Fine Art, Napanee, Ont.
1995         Exhibition of award-winning work, Addington's Fine Art, Napanee, Ont.

Juried Group Exhibitions

2006-21     OKWA (Organization of Kingston Women Artists) annual members’ exhibitions

2016        "Kingston: a Sense of Place", Pumphouse Steam Museum, Kingston, Ont.

2015        "7X7-- seven photographers/seven images"  Gallery Raymond, Kingston, Ont.

2011        "Spirit of the Land", Marianne VanSilfhout Gallery, Brockville, Ont.                                                   

2010        “surface and depth”, 5 photographers, Verb Gallery, Kingston, Ont.
2001         Women’s Art Festival Anniversary Exhibition, Union Gallery, Kingston, Ont.
2001        “Year One”, Juried Exhibition, Modern Fuel Gallery, and
              
“Year One: Déjà Vu”, Grand Theatre, Kingston, Ont.
1998          Presentation of 1st place award-winning Audio-Visual show, “Blue Iris”,
                 at Camera Canada College, CAPA, Ottawa, Ont.

1997         "Fin de Siecle", Modern Fuel Gallery, Kingston, Ont.
1996          National Association of Photographic Arts (NAPA), Abstract Slide Series Exhibition, Winnipeg, Man.
1995          NAPA Abstract Slide Series Exhibition, Vancouver, B.C.
1993-99     Napanee Photo Club Annual Exhibitions, Lennox & Addington County Museum

Other Photography Activities

  • Teacher of creative photography, St. Lawrence College and privately, Kingston, 2001-2017
  • Current board member of Organization of Kingston Women Artists (OKWA)
  • Current member of OKWA, Modern Fuel Artists’ Association and past executive member of the Napanee Photo Club.
  • Numerous audio-visual presentations and talks on creative photography for photo clubs, churches and community organizations throughout Ontario. 
  • Regular image discussion facilitator and competition judge for area photo clubs.
  • Publication of photographs in Photo Life and Canadian Camera, Herstory and in numerous community and organizational publications.
  • Hosting and facilitating an advanced creative photographers group.
  • Wedding, portrait, event and artists' work photography
  • Work as art therapist and presentations on ‘healing through creativity’

Arts Education

1993 to date — numerous workshops and short term courses in photography, drawing & painting
1977 - 1982  — University of Toronto, B.A., majoring in fine arts
1982 - 1984  — graduate diploma in art therapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute