Dorchester, Ont. artist puts passion to purpose in helping save endangered wildlife
Dorchester, Ont. artist Jade Williamson found purpose for her passion when she began doing portraits of endangered wildlife.
Putting charcoal to canvass, she makes the eyes come alive. “And you want to kind of convey that loneliness or that sadness,” she explained. “You want to reach people with art, right?”
The 21-year-old Western University Fine Arts grad is getting accolades for her images of wildlife on black backrounds. Her work is in conte, or coloured charcoal, and done in free-hand. “‘Cause a lot of my work I use materials or imagery to express what’s threatening them, and what’s putting them at risk.”
Dorchester, Ont. artist Jade Williamson seen here on June 21, 2021. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV London)
Dorchester, Ont. artist Jade Williamson seen here on June 21, 2021. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV London)
Among her many subjects are polar bears, shoe bills, and antelopes. Proceeds from her work as the exclusive artist for Polar Nation - a team of local artists and designers - go toward polar bear conservation, and battling climate change.
“I wanted my art to have a purpose. And so in order to do so I was thinking about how I wanted to use my art and bring awareness to endangered species. So I kind of found my place and why I do what I do.”
Williamson plans to attend teachers college at the University of Windsor in the fall. She hopes to continue in professional art, while inspiring youth to put their own passion to purpose.
“I loved that feeling and I want to chase that as well,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
LGBTQ2S+ rallies to be held across Canada, billed as largest since marriage equality
Organizations across the country are gearing up for what they describe as the largest LGBTQ2S+ mobilization since the push for marriage equality.
Toronto Catholic school board trustees vote against flying 'pro-life' flag
Catholic public schools across Toronto will not be flying the "pro-life" flag in the month of May after school board trustees voted against it.