“My work is inspired by my family, the places I have travelled to, the people I have met, and my fellow artists.
I love creating art using intense colours, interesting textures, patterns and compositions.”
I believe that colours, textures, and patterns can create beautiful harmony throughout a space, evoking emotions of peace, happiness, and a general feeling of well-being.
I express myself through working in acrylics, watercolours, and mixed media. My inspiration comes from a variety of sources, including pictures I take, books, magazines, and plein-air sketches. I have taken thousands of pictures during my travels across Northern Ontario and Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
I have been influenced by many artists including James Kerr, Denise Speery, Jane E. Jones, Margret Martin, Linda Kemp, J.C. Roy, and Claude A. Simard. It brings me great satisfaction and joy to see the response of people viewing my work. It also gives me a chance to interact and delve deeper into what is behind the pieces that have captivated their interest.
My style has developed over many years. The main themes in my artwork are colour, movement, pattern, line and texture. I have found that I can express the greatest happiness and joy in my life through these elements of design. I work in acrylic, mixed media, and watercolour to create beautiful florals, landscapes, and abstract works of art. My latest exploration has been incorporating unique Japanese handmade papers into my mixed media work. The results can be absolutely magical.
I seek to transport viewers into my artwork, inviting them to picture themselves in the scenes and experience the happiness and joy evoked by the sounds of lapping water, whispering pines, or the serenity of sitting on a large rock. Conversely, when portraying florals, I aim to stir memories of receiving a bouquet from a special someone, eliciting the emotions that surged at that moment.
“I have a fascination with Canadian landscapes.
I have travelled extensively across Canada from the age of four. I am in love with Newfoundland’s topography and its people.”
Patricia Haftar was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1946, just at the end of WWII. Patricia's artistic journey began at the age of three alongside her grandmother Bea Coleman. Bea, a self-taught oil painter, would set up a small table by her easel for Patricia, with Crayola crayons and a newsprint pad of paper, teaching her about the colours found in rocks and trees.
She was educated at Havergal Private Girls' School and studied Commercial Art at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate. Later, she pursued Food Sciences at The Toronto Metropolitan University, followed by Toronto Teachers College. She also attended the Hockley Valley School of Fine Arts. Upon retirement, Patricia continued her studies with Jane E. Jones, Denise Sperry, James Kerr, Margret Martin, Tony Baton, Christopher Pew, and John Leonard.
Patricia has lived in Etobicoke, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Welland, all in Ontario. She worked as both a home economics teacher and an elementary teacher. Patricia has also served as an art instructor for various institutions including the Niagara Pumphouse, Niagara Art Gallery, Port Colborne Art Association, Capitol Arts Market, and The Artist Studio Port Colborne.
Patricia has been awarded First in Show several times through juried competitions. Her work has garnered attention from major media outlets, and she was recently selected for the SCA International show. Currently, she is represented by Art Space 106 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Capitol Arts Market in Simcoe, and Objects of Desire in Grimsby. Patricia's artwork can be found in private homes across North America and Europe.
Patricia's process starts with going through piles of reference photos and selecting images that she finds appealing. She decides on the canvas size and then works from her standard colour palette, predominantly using acrylics. Beginning with an underpainting, she builds on that foundation, taking photos throughout the process. As she nears completion, the painting is set aside and scrutinized, and the finishing touches are applied.
For her mixed media pieces, Patricia begins by gathering interesting bits of paper, cloth, and small items to create textures and patterns. She uses a wood cradle as her canvas, applying an undercoat of acrylic paint that she lets dry. Then, she arranges and rearranges the materials until satisfied with the composition. Once pleased with the layout, Patricia glues the pieces down, sometimes adding stamps, stencils, or other embellishments. Finally, when she decides the piece is complete, she applies a protective coat.
PATRICIA HAFTAR – 2024 ARTIST CV
Born: 1946 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Education
Burnhamthorpe C.I. Commercial Art graduated with honours, Ontario Scholarship
Toronto Metropolitan University, Food Sciences
Toronto Teachers College
Professional Experience
1968 – 1969 Teacher Ottawa Board of Education
1969 – 1972,1989 – 2000, City of York Board of Education
1973 – 1985 Adult Education, City of York
1980 – 1982 Etobicoke Board of Education
Workshops
2005 – 2010 James Kerr
2005 – 2018 Tony Batton, John Leonard, Denise Sperry, Margret Martin, Jane E. Jones, Linda Kemp, Brian Buckrell
2008 – Christopher Pew Life Drawing
Art Instruction Experience
Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre
Niagara Art Gallery
VAW Welland
Port Colborne Art Association
The Artists Workshop, Simcoe, ON
Frame Craft
Haftar Fine Art Studio
Manitoulin Island Retreat
Port Colborne Artist Guild
Two Creative Artist Retreat
Event Coordination and Leadership
2005 – 2010 Advertising Coordinator, Art By The Lighthouse Show
2006 – 2016 Vice President, Pelham Art Association
2007 – 2014 Advertising Coordinator, Pelham Art Festival
2008 – 2012 Event Coordinator, Pelham/Welland Art Tour
2010 – President of Art By The Lighthouse Show
2011 – 2013 Event Coordinator, Welland/Fonthill Art Tour
2012 – 2015 Event Coordinator, Pelham Summerfest Art Show
2014 – Event Coordinator, Art on King Art Show
2018 – 2022 Secretary, Visual Artists of Welland
2021 – Present Networking Committee, NOTL Arts Collective
2021 – Lead Artist, Wee Point Artist Retreat
2023 – Event Coordinator, Two Creative Artist Retreat
Membership
2004 – 2016 Member Pelham Art Association
2005 – 2010 Member St. Catharines Art Association
2005 – 2012 Member Parkway Artists Association
2005 – Present Member Niagara Pumphouse
2018 – 2019 Member Arts Place Gallery, Port Colborne
2023 – Present Associate Member, Canadian Society of Artists
2023 – Present Founding Member of the NOTL Studio Tour
Awards and Honours
2007 – Honourable Mention, Niagara Pumphouse juried show, Juror J.Kerr
2008 – 1st Place Pelham Art Association juried show, juror Denise Sperry
2010 – 1st Place Pelham Art Association juried show, juror David Gilbert curator Niagara Falls and Welland Art Galleries
Juried Shows and Exhibitions
2005 – Juried into Pelham Art Festival Linda Kemp Juror
2008 – 2013 Juried into Cobourg Waterfront Festival
2011 – 2017 Juried into Artistry, Niagara-on-the-Lake
2016 – Accepted into "Are You Looking at Me?” Portrait show, Niagara Gallery
2023 – Juried into the Society of Canadian Artists 55th International Open Show Toronto
Exhibitions and Events
2006 – 2020 Pelham Art Festival
2017 – 2019 Artful Treasures, Niagara Pumphouse
2019 – “Parts of Me” solo show, Arts Place Gallery
2022 – Feb. First NOTL Arts Collective Show, Joyner Gallery, Niagara Pumphouse
Apr. NOTL Arts Collective Show, Joyner Gallery, Niagara Pumphouse
Chateau Des Charmes Fall Show, NOTL Arts Collective
Dec. Holiday Arts Market/Capitol; Arts Market Gallery, Simcoe
2023 – Chateau Des Charmes Spring/Summer Show NOTL Arts Collective
Spring Fling The Art Guild Port Colborne
March Madness, Capitol Arts Market/ Simcoe
Aug. Art at the Pumphouse
Aug. Peach Festival, NOTL Arts Collective
Sept. Norfolk Studio Tour
Oct. Chateau Des Charmes NOTL Art Collective Show
Nov. Pat Squared Open Studio at Haftar Fine Arts
Nov. & Dec. Holiday Market Lynnwood Gallery, Simcoe
Galleries
Somerset Gallery
ArtZila
The Greens on Lily Street Gallery, Riding Mt. National Park
Art for All Canada Gallery, Toronto
Gallery 329 Ridgeway, Ontario
Rosberg Gallery
Niagara Falls Gallery
Andies Place Gallery and Boutique
2017 – Jordan Gallery
2017 – 2020 Oak Gallery, Port Dover
2019 – Present Capitol Arts Market Gallery, Simcoe
2020 – Consignment artist, Arts Place Gallery
2020 – 2022 Woodhouse Gallery, Port Dover
2020 – Present Art Space Gallery 106, Niagara-on-the-Lake