What is your artist background?
I studied art in Victoria and apprenticed with my late husband, an accomplished professional artist. He studied under the famous artist Salvador Dali and at prestigious international art schools around the world including the Arts Student League and the Pratt Institute in New York City, the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the Villa Medici Art Academy in Rome and the Art Institute in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. His artwork was exhibited in various locations throughout Europe and North America, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
I am a registered member of the Botanical Artists of Canada, the only one from Victoria, British Columbia! I was featured as an artist in the July/August 2009 issue of Victoria’s James Bay Beacon newspaper and my botanical artwork appeared in the August 2009 Focus magazine for the James Bay Art Walk. My artwork has been successfully exhibited and sold privately and publicly. It is for sale at the internationally-known Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, recipient of various excellence awards, and at the Legacy Art Gallery and Café gift shop, a University of Victoria establishment. During the 2009 summer and fall, I have exhibited and sold my artwork at Emily Carr House, the James Bay Community Centre, for a group exhibit at James Bay Serious Coffee, and for the James Bay Art Walk. In 2010, my botanical artwork will be for sale at the Butchart Gardens Gift Shop. In March 2010, I will exhibit my orchid drawings for the Victoria Annual Orchid Show at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. My botanical artwork will also be shown for the Sooke Harbour House Annual Floral Art Show in 2010.
How do you describe your work?
I have tried acrylics and watercolour, but I always come back to coloured pencils, which are now a respected professional medium in art. I once had a lady who argued with me for half an hour saying that my drawings were done in watercolour and not coloured pencils. I build up colour in a very subtle fashion and the result looks like watercolour but it doesn’t have the disadvantage of fading in sunlight. I use sometimes twenty-five coloured pencils for a small drawing. It’s rather amazing that I can accomplish this since I’m not naturally very patient! My artwork includes flowers such as British Columbia native plants and exotic orchids, amongst many other types of plants from around the world. What I enjoy the most about being an artist is creating a sense of beauty and peace, and bringing spirit and life to the flower in my artwork. My creative discipline comes easily to me. It brings me peace and enjoyment, so I cherish the time that I can do artwork. That’s the true richness of my life. Here are what people are saying about my botanical artwork:
“Your work looks fabulous.”―S., Gallery and Gift Shop Coordinator, Sooke Harbour House
“I am very impressed by the quality of your art portfolio!”―A., Oak Bay Avenue gallery owner
“We have received many positive comments from the public about your beautiful botanical artwork exhibited at Emily Carr House.”―J., Emily Carr House manager
“Thank you Aura. We have had a lot of positive responses to your beautiful botanical drawings!”―S., James Bay Community School Centre
“Congratulations on selling your drawings! You have a lot of talent.” ―S.
“I sure would love to come and see your exhibitions! Your paintings are so beautiful! All the details!”―M.
“Thank you very much for this superb drawing; I must admit that I am impressed by your great artistic talents.”―B.
“Your drawings are magnificent.”―E.
“Thank you for sharing such wonderful art. You are truly a gifted artist.”―S.
“Your botanicals are truly stunning. Thanks for sharing them.”―J.
“Thanks for sharing such beautiful drawings with us! I like them all, they are all so equally fascinating.”―L.
“Your drawings are all very, very beautiful.”―J.
“We both find your drawings superbly beautiful! Bravo! You are so good, what talent and sensitivity in your drawings! Keep going!”―D. & J.
“It’s hard to choose because all your drawings are so beautiful!!! You are doing very good work!!!”―J.
“What beautiful artwork!”―A.
“Congratulations on your beautiful botanical drawings. They are all so very beautiful that it’s difficult to decide. My best wishes in your pursuit of this adventure.”―G.
“Your drawings are very beautiful.”―M.
“You have talent! The flowers are so beautiful and dramatic. I am really impressed.”―J.
Who are the living artists you find more interesting?
The Seattle-based glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Who are the no longer living artists you find more interesting?
My late husband Auro Arindam, who blended Impressionist and Asian artistic influences in his artwork. I fell in love with the artworks of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists when I was staying in Paris. Also Pierre-Joseph Redouté, the famous French artist who drew beautifully detailed botanical artworks which are well known to botanical artists. Georgia O’keeffe’s artwork which inspired me to make a start in botanical artwork. Also the British artist JMW Turner, Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Jacques-Louis David and the Japanese artists Hokusai and Hiroshige.
Should art have a social/political message?
Art can have a social/political message but botanical artwork does not lend itself well for this purpose as other forms of art do.
Why do you do art?
My interest in botanical drawing and painting emerged from my passion for gardening which I developed in Victoria. My art studio looks onto her rooftop patio garden in central James Bay which provides a great source of inspiration and interest. With our often hectic, fast-paced lives, I feel it is important to stop and admire the beauty and peace that nature provides and enrich our soul. It is my hope to communicate nature’s lasting beauty and peace through my botanical artwork.
Private commissions for Aurafidélité Arindam’s original botanical artwork are available with a 50% non-refundable deposit. Good quality affordable prints of her original botanical artwork are also available on demand.
Contact Information
Aurafidélité Arindam, Botanical Artist, BAC member
Address: P.O. Box 8010, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8W 3R7
Email address: auraart@telus.net
Botanical Artists of Canada web page: hhttp://www.botanicalartistsofcanada.org/arindam.php
Sooke Harbour House web page: http://www.sookeharbourhouse.com/2009/07/29/aurafidelite-arindam/
James Bay Art Walk web page: http://jamesbayartwalk.ca/?page_id=58
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