Anita Doornekamp

Anita completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in fine Art: Printmaking from the University of Guelph in Ontario. Subsequently she completed a Bachelor of Education from Queen's University, including the specialized Artist in the Community program. Her teaching qualifications range from Primary Education through to Senior High School Art, as well as Adult Education.

Anita has participated in Metchosin Art Pod shows and has had several solo shows in Greater Victoria. She has conducted many workshops for community groups in  a variety of mediums. Collectors in the USA, the EU and across Canada have her work. 

As a career high school art teacher, I was very conscientious about encouraging my students to explore all mediums of artistic expression and develop a wide range of skills; however, I saved encaustic painting for myself for my retirement! The concept of using fire and wax to create innovative pieces of work is exciting and gratifying. It's a natural extension of my print-making background to do layering and adding texture in my encaustic creations. Tulips are a natural expression of my Dutch heritage, and my love of the West coast landscape is a further source of inspiration. Working in encaustics in 3-D is instinctive: I am experienced in sculpture, wood-working, garden construction, and fibre-arts. My studio is my sanctuary: loud music, podcasts, no time restrictions, cold cups of tea forgotten on the work surfaces, colour and imagination. 

Originally from Napanee, Ontario, I have lived in Victoria since 2002. I have a strong feeling that Emily Carr parked her trailer, The Elephant, on or near the land where my house is built near the old gravel pit on Metchosin Road.