'Rene' Neil Chartrand's professional career was focused in the fields of Business & Commerce, as well as post-secondary education. The bulk of his working life was with the Ontario College System, initially as a full professor and eventually as Dean of Business, Hospitality and Tourism at St. Clair College and Niagara College His formal education includes a Diploma in Applied Arts, a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Arts Degree, as well as a Master of Business Administration Degree.
Artistic Creativity
In “Classical” art, paintings are revered for the artist’s skill of execution – that is, how deftly he places the brush or palette knife to the canvas. In “Modern” art, however, paintings are often more about the “Idea” rather than the execution. In the paintings created by the artist “Rene”, the “Idea” is expressed as a one-of-a-kind combination of unique perspectives, brush and /or palette knife strokes, canvas dimensions, subject matter, orientation and color adaptations. Rene’s painting style can be described as “Conceptual Impressionism”. Critical components of his works encompass the painted canvas, as well as the title and the distinctive behind the canvas insights. Viewing each painting in terms of these components and further enhanced by an appropriate setting, plus suitable lighting and sound dimensions, will result in a distinct appreciation of each painting.
Historical Context
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Those who claim that the great atrocities of the past could never happen again are tragically wrong. We must be aware of history because it could happen again, and in fact it will happen again if we are not vigilant. History has proven repeatedly that lunatics will rise to power again and again on tidal waves of aggressive nationalism and intolerance, even in places where it seems utterly incomprehensible. Many modern nations have endured dark periods in their histories but have emerged into the light of democracy, tolerance, compassion and respect for all of humanity. But that light can fade unless we use it to illuminate the minds of our future generations. Our youth should learn about the horrors of tyranny and the cruelties of oppression, in order that they will never become complacent. Enlightened and factual historical context will teach our heirs and descendants that tyranny and oppression are no match for compassion. The fanatical shouts of the bullies of the world will be invariably silenced by the unified voices of decency that rise up to confront them.
