Marcia Harris was born in Gaspé, Quebec. An interest in art began during Harris's formative years when she entered many contests, including a national one in 1992 where she met her Majesty the Queen at Canada’s 125 birthday celebration in Ottawa. Harris completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and graduated with distinction in 2004. Since then, she has shown in numerous galleries across western Canada, and has been involved in various public art shows.
Though her subject matter is diverse, Harris is best known for her nostalgic depictions of familiar buildings in urban landscapes. Her choice of subject is largely motivated by colour, light, and shadow. Through a distinct use of these elements and a painterly approach, Harris’s expressive vitality provokes an alternative perception of familiar urban spaces. She revels in the unpredictability of colour interactions and embraces the beauty of unresolved moments. Her methodical application of colour balances theory and practice while emphasizing the potent impact of layering light and shadow.
Marcia Harris’s work is in the collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and in several corporate collections in Calgary.
Marcia's Courses
Drawing and Painting
Whether you are interested in painting skyscrapers, charming country houses or abandoned buildings, learn how to capture the character and essence of a structure through light, shadow, and texture while you focus on painting architectural details through the use of proper perspective, proportion, and composition.
Draw landscapes with confidence from observation and location sketches. Landscapes can be complex subjects and understanding where to start, what to include, and what leave out can be overwhelming. You will learn how to simplify your composition, isolate subject matter, and create atmospheric perspective in your drawings. Experiment with different drawing media to illustrate different parts of the landscape: grass, trees, rocks, foliage, and a variety of different skies.
Gain confidence and fundamental skills in drawing as you work through projects aimed at increasing your perceptive abilities and eye-hand coordination. Focus on the elements of drawing, observation, and composition as you explore a variety of drawing media and techniques.