Artist Biography + Artist Statement
Amber Ozols is a multidisciplinary artist living in Whitehorse, YT who creates paintings, murals, and paper products. Her most recent oil paintings are inspired by neuroscience and published research in the field of positive psychology, showcasing subject matter proven to promote better brain chemistry.
Amber‘s work has transitioned over the years from displays of athletics, to those of surrealised tropical plants, that challenge our typical visual perception. Amber’s work alters ordinary objects’ colours to enliven different areas of our brains when examining the work. Having the audience experience “double-takes” is a goal in the creation of these works. This body of work strives to deliver a scientifically-backed visual endorphin rush.
Amber has produced work in collaboration with the Canadian Council for The Arts, the Ontario Arts Council for her series Personal Protective Visuals (PPV). Her murals and public art are on display in Toronto, and throughout the GTA. Her fine art work has been shown in galleries in Montreal and throughout Ontario.
Murals were my “pandemic pivot”. Bringing colour, nature, and uncommon images to commonplace industrial spaces is my new favourite creative outlet. Murals bring community involvement and visual awe from a safe social distance. They add interest and allow the public to see their daily commutes and monotonous surroundings in new, more imaginative ways.
I have also created a line of introvert-friendly greeting cards and self-care items called Homebody. All products have been sustainably printed using soy-based ink in a process known as Risoprinting. I felt that spending $9 on a glittery “let’s all get together and party” kind of greeting card was completely insane. Homebody’s focus is to celebrate the everyday connections and events we have in our lives (and without glitter).
Homebody
Connection without having to go to a social gathering? Sign. Me. Up.
CV / INFO
EDUCATION
Sheridan College, Oakville, ON – BAA Illustration (2012-2014, 2016-2018)
Concordia University, Montreal, QU – BFA Studio Art: Painting and Drawing (2011-2012)
John F Ross CVI, Guelph, ON – Visual Art Awards, Creative Spirit Award
PUBLICATIONS
2018 Beer label design, Queen of Craft with Rhythm n’ Brews
2018 Beer label design, Queen of Craft Lily the Pink
2019 Beer label design, Queen of Craft Hoppy Pilsner
2021 Beer label design, Queen of Craft Nacho Average IPA
2021 UPPERCASE Magazine, 50th Issue Visualized Science
MURALS
2024 “Northern Forest” - The Culture Room, Whitehorse, YT
2021 “The Rooftop Garden” - Stone Road Mall, Guelph
2021 “Floral Patio” - Red Brick Cafe, Guelph
2021 “HEAL” - HEAL Wellness, Hamilton + Guelph
2020 “Neighbourhood Love” -Etobicoke
2020 “Scarlett Road Bike Lanes” -City of Toronto, Toronto
2020 “Pillar Projects, Phase 1 + 2” -Necessary Arts, Guelph
2020 “All Or Nothing” -Necessary Arts, Guelph
2020 “Red Brick Revival” -Red Brick Cafe, Toronto
2020 “Life’s Too Short” -Four Fathers, Cambridge
2020 “Truth Sleeps” - Private Residence, Guelph
EXHIBITIONS
2022 “Toronto Outdoor Art Fair”, juried, Toronto
2022 “Art On The Street”, juried, Guelph
2022 “Moments That Made Me” - solo, Red Brick Cafe, Guelph
2021 “Personal Protective Visuals” - solo, 10C, Guelph
2021 “Toronto Outdoor Art Fair” - Online, Toronto
2021 “Art On The Street” - Online, Guelph
2020 “Hoopla” - Necessary Arts, Guelph
2020 “2020 Art Sale” - Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton
2020 “International Women’s Day Gallery” - Collective Arts Brewing, Hamilton
2020 “Art on the (Virtual) Street”, juried - Online, Guelph
2020 “The Artist Project”, juried - Better Living Centre, Toronto
2019 “New Moon”, juried - Arta Gallery, Toronto
2019 “The One of a Kind Show”, juried - Enercare Centre, Toronto
2019 “The Artist Project”, juried - Better Living Centre, Toronto
2018 “Overzealous”, juried - Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto - *People’s Choice Award recipient*
2018 “The Market” - 99 Sudbury, Toronto
2017 “Uprooted” - Artscape TO, Toronto
2014 “The Wall of Art”, juried - Guelph Civic Museum, Guelph
2013 “Insights”, juried - Wellington County Museum and Archives, Fergus
2013 “Festival of Arts & Crafts”, juried - Goderich
2013 “Art Round the Pond”, juried - Wellesley
2012 “Annual Show & Sale at the Cambridge Galleries”, juried - Cambridge
2012 Guelph Farmer’s Market, Guelph
2012 “Art Around The Pond”, juried - Wellesley