Artist: Courtney Walters
Courtney Walters is a Toronto born and raised self taught artist. To his family and close friends Courtney has always been an artist but to most his passion and flair for art has been a hidden talent. For as long as he could remember Courtney has been intrigued with the visual arts. The first stand out and large piece he ever did was done utilizing water based paint, markers, crayons, and pencil crayons to caption a scene from the movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", and this was done at the young budding age of seven. His parents were surprised and amazed by what he accomplished and from that moment on did their best to encourage and push their young artist. His talents and abilities were noticed and recognized through his schooling but once into high school his focus changed and his desire to create and develop himself as an artist faded; but his love for art remained. He never put down but he just kept his art with in his close circle. Courtney began to pursue his passion of art again after the passing of his father and other challenges in 2010 as a means of self therapy. Through interest and encouragement from friends and loved ones he began to expose his work to more and more people, and in summer of 2012 displayed his work for the first time at the Toronto Loves Kicks Sneaker Expo were a number of his pieces were purchased. Since then his recognition as an artist has grown and has lead him to this point... allowing him to let us... EXPLORE... with him through his art.
Dedication
This show is dedicated to Courtney's mother and in the memory of his father who had passed away four years ago. Courtney's relationship with his parents was and is close but with each parent unique. He had always viewed his parents as his guardian angels; to protect him and make him a stronger person. He decided to dedicate this show to them as a sign of his love and appreciation for all that they had done for him. As a further display of his appreciation for his parents he will be donating a portion of my proceeds from any paintings sold on the final day to the Canadian Diabetes Association and to a Sickle Cell Association in their names.
Thank You
I would like to start with thanking God for blessing me with my talent and my strengths. I would like to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and being there through my ups and downs. My mother that always said to me "That's lovely" to every picture I showed her. My father that would acknowledge the work I did but would push me to do better, thank you. To the people that knocked me down just so that I can get back up and truly see how strong I am. A thank huge thank you to Michelle Bylow and the Moniker Gallery for seeing my vision, working with me to see through, and granting me the opportunity and the stage to share it with others. And last but not least, I would like to thank a special lady in my life because without her encouragement and support I truly doubt that I would have been able to take this step and have the courage to put myself out there; you mean more to me than you know and I appreciate you more than I can explain with word. I am forever in your debt and I will always love you, thank you very very much, MHM!
And if I haven't mentioned your name just know that my heart is screaming it loud and clear, and I thank you as well.
And if I haven't mentioned your name just know that my heart is screaming it loud and clear, and I thank you as well.