Bio

transitional transactions

My artistic practice is a journey of discovery, exploring the delicate interplay between observation, intuition, and the transformative process of drawing. Each piece is a study of my subject—not merely a replication of a photograph, but a deep engagement with its essence, its place, and its moment. Through texture, line, color, and concept, I layer my work to tell a story, moving beyond the constraints of photographic references to uncover the intimate, unspoken details that define my subjects.

For me, the subject comes alive through exploration—preparatory sketches, conversations, and the subtle revelations that emerge during creation. Even botanical and floral subjects reveal their narratives through light, balance, and form, speaking of their intricate beauty and resilience. These connections form the heartbeat of my work, allowing the subject to guide me as I translate its essence onto paper.

My inspiration draws from a rich tapestry of artistic influences: Georgia O'Keefe’s bold use of scale and color, Piet Mondrian’s linear precision, Artemisia Gentileschi’s profound connection to her subjects, Amy Sherald’s elegant simplicity of form and tone, and Alexander Calder’s vibrant interplay of movement, color, and shape. These influences converge in my practice, where hyper-realistic detail meets minimalist design, conceptual exploration and compilations through form and subject, creating a dynamic dialogue between the two.

My figurative works confront issues of identity, racism, homophobia, and mental health, addressing complex and often painful narratives. In contrast, my florals and creature series celebrate connections to the environment, light, and beauty. The balance of bold lines, rhythmic patterns, and vivid color blocks with hyper-realistic subjects creates a tension that draws the viewer into a reflective space. Sometimes, it is a conversation; other times, it is simply about the art itself.

Through this interplay of color, form, and line, I aim to evoke a sense of truth and serenity—an invitation for viewers to pause, connect, and find solace in the quiet power of the work.

About

2024 Sooke Fine Art Group Show, Finalist
2021 "Facing Time" Group Exhibition Surrey Art Gallery
2020. Solo Show, West End Gallery, "Unfurled Petal"
2020 Victoria News paper, article featuring "Unfurled Petal"
https://www.vicnews.com/entertainment/rolling-the-dice-on-the-patina-of-old-copper/
2020 Downtown Victoria article
https://downtownvictoria.ca/event/the-unfurled-petal-an-exhibition-of-new-paintings-by-jeannette-sirois/
2019 Sooke Fine Art Show, Awarded Grand Prize Winner and Peoples Choice Award
2019 The Kingston Prize finalist, national portrait competition.
2019 Group Show, Salt Spring Art Gallery, Mahon Hall
2019 Focus Magazine: Large Scale Botanicals, Front Cover and Feature article
https://www.focusonvictoria.ca/palette/jeanette-sirois’-large-scale-works-are-done-with-patience-and-precision-in-pencil-crayon-r164/
2018 Professional Artist Magazine: Feature artist
https://professionalartistmag.com/jeannette-sirois/
2018 Representation: West End Gallery, ongoing
2017 Solo show, Salt Spring Gallery. “Portrait of Plants”
2017 Group Show invited artist. “Body of Work”, Salt Spring Art Gallery
2016 Group show, Salt Spring Art Gallery.
2015 Award, Americans for the Art Public Art Network 2015 Year in Review, for group submission and included work "It's Written on Your Face".
2015 Surrey Art Gallery Acquisition Permanent Collection. Parkinson the Destroyer
2015 Surrey Art Gallery Acquisition, Permanent Collection. Equality of Same: Lorraine
2015 The Kingston Prize Group Curated Show., national portrait competition.
2015 Solo Curated Show. Place Des Arts Gallery. Coquitlam, BC
2015 Group Show. Pride in Art Society, Queer Arts Festival, Vancouver
2015 Solo Show. The Cultch, Vancouver
2015 Group Curated Show. Surrey Art Gallery, View from the Southbank II. Invited artist.
2014 The Vancouver Sun article on "It's Written on Your Face". https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/the-art-of-reconciliation-words-that-hit-home-by- jeannette-sirois
2014 Selected artist for public art installation, Year of Reconciliation, "It's Written on Your Face". City of Vancouver, Vancouver, BC
2014 City of Surrey Acquisitions. Selected artist for permanent collection, for City Hall artworks.
2014 Education and Postcard booklet. Images for the year of reconciliation, City of Vancouver.
2014 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2014, First Place Award in 2D works
2014 Group Show. International Print and Drawing Exhibition. California
2014 Group show. The Miracle of the Portrait. Portrait Society of Canada, Finalist
2014 Solo Curated Show. Leigh Square, Coquitlam. Beyond Real, an exhibition of 21 drawings.
2014 Group Show. About Face exhibition. North Vancouver Community Arts Council.
2014 Group Show and Invited artist to display at National Conference of Color Pencil, Florida.
2014 Colour Pencil Society of America. Award: District Chapters Award for Exceptional Merit.
2013 Group Show. The Miracle of the Portrait. Portrait Society of Canada, Finalist
2013 Group Show, Juried. Federation of Canadian Artists, International Group Show.
2013 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2013, First Place Award in 2D works
2005 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2005, finalist
2004 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2004, finalist
1997 City of Fort Nelson Acquisitions. Selected artist for permanent collection.
1997 Solo Show. Fort Nelson Art Gallery