ABOUT THE ARTIST

STATEMENT

(E)motion:

Maggie Finnegan’s large-scale mixed media paintings are about the process of transition. Marks, textures, compositions and colours are retooled through a fusion of new technology and painterly medium applications – toggling between random and order.

The beauty and power of the natural world is a running thread throughout her work, exploring abrupt shifts from one ecosystem to another. The visceral intention is to invite the viewer into the topography, to witness our shifting state and to sense a beacon of light in times of uncertainty.

Motion, Emotion, Movement.

BIO

Maggie Finnegan, Born 1950, Ottawa, Ontario

Maggie is strongly influenced by her decade of living and working in Asia Pacific. Her adventures in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia had a profound impact on her aesthetics and artistic style. She considers the experience of cultural exposure one of the primary influences in the diverse styles she brings to each fusion art piece.

She received her Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University and later participated in a graphic design and visual communication program at Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto. She has an expansive international design background in corporate branding, advertising, museum exhibit graphics, and editorial design.

Maggie has received numerous design awards and in 2006 was one of 15 women recognized for the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs program. Maggie developed Verve Decor, a boutique digital media art platform specializing in custom site specific art.

Innovation, material exploration, mark making and expressive narratives are pertinent experiments throughout her art.

CV

www.verdedecor.com

EDUCATION

• 2006 Recognition Award: Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (E-Series); Graduate, Vancouver, BC
• 1980 OCAD University; (Graphic Design) Toronto, ON
• 1973 Bachelor of Arts; Carleton University: (Art History and English) Ottawa, ON

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 1971-1973 Gallery Assistant, Koyman Art Galleries Ottawa, ON
• 1973-1980 Museum Interpreter/Exhibit Designer, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, ON
• 1980-1984 Freelance Designer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• 1984-1987 Associate Art Director, Toronto Life Magazine, Toronto ON
• 1987-1988 Creative Director, Terra Media Deign, Toronto ON
• 1988-1990 Freelance Designer, Leo Burnett Advertising, Bangkok Thailand
• 1990-1996 Creative Director, Maggie Finnegan Design, Ottawa, ON
• 1996-2000 Senior Art Director, Total Graphics, Vancouver, BC
• 2000-2009 Principal, Verve Creative, Vancouver, BC
• 2002-2003 Lecturer, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, BC
• 2009-2023 Principal, Verve Decor, Vancouver, BC

PUBLIC/PRIVATE ART COMMISSIONS-2008-2024

• The Erikson; Private Residence,1 piece of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Park West 2; Private Residence, 2 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Concordia Counselling Services; Private Office, 1 piece of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Private Commission; Residence, 4 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• ASPAC Developments; River Green, Presentation Centre, 8 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Concord Pacific; Cosmo Show Suite, 4 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Nest Interiors; 6 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• 365 Waterfront; Show Suite 1 piece of art, Victoria, BC
• G.F. Strong Rehab Centre; Reception Wall Mural, Vancouver, BC
• G.F. Strong Rehab Centre; Family Room, 3 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Vida Gym; 2 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Beach Complex Lobby; 1 piece of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• ASPAC Developments; 3 Harbour Green, 9 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Adera Development; Pacific Spirits; Presentation Centre, 3 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Adera Development; Summits View; Presentation Centre, 2 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Mandalay; Show Suite, 3 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Blow Dry Bar; Four Seasons, 1 piece of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Blow Dry Bar; Yaletown, Window Display, 5 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Concord Pacific; Cosmo, Window Display, 4 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Glentel Head Office; 6 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Digital Ocean Marketing; 13 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Solterra; 2 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC
• Concert Properties; Chelsea, 25 pieces of artwork, Victoria, BC
• Concert Properties; Tropez, 3 pieces of artwork, Vancouver, BC

AWARDS

• 2009-2000 Five Silver Georgie Awards, Vancouver BC
• 2006 Awarded E-Series Business Education (Forum for Women Entrepreneurs), Vancouver, BC
• 1986-1984 Twelve Gold, Silver and Merit Awards, Toronto Art Director Awards, Toronto ON

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS MEMBERSHIPS

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, NY
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York, NY
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York, NY
• Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC
• Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, BC
• Graphic Designers of Canada, Ottawa, ON