artist

"My idea of art: playful and serious; it reflects my delight in the colourful world around us, and in the colourful and fascinating world of our imagination; I am inspired by my study of myths and legends and yet, very much by my own..."


A prolific artist, Nitski counts on absolute freedom of the creative imagination. Her work breathes life with its figures, beasts, monsters, plants and elements from the cosmos that relate to the myths and legends of the world, popular art and the art of children. Her playful, whimsical, fanciful art is translated by rich colours and free flowing movements that result in a monster-filled, grotesque but very likeable world. Marie-France Nitski is anything but conventional, without a worry of fitting into the mainstream of "art actuel". In essence, her art is a burst of laughter and a stroke of madness! Her media: metal, wood, paper and canvas. Her tools: anything goes'...fingers, paintbrushes, collages, assembling, transfers, nails, screws...! Nitski is the pseudonym chosen by Marie-France de Lourtioux. Born in France, she obtained a degree in educational psychology before emigrating to Canada and pursuing her interest in visual arts. She spent 3 years in Chile where she studied at the Universidad Catolica de Chile. In 1991 she graduated magna cum laude from Ottawa University. Since then, Nitski has continued her research on masks and bestiaries in Bolivia, Catalonia, Brazil, Mexico and France. Besides her frequent exhibitions in Canada, the artist has had art shows in Mexico, Germany, Chile, Bolivia and Brazil. In Ottawa, she bacame a member of the "Enriched Bread Artists" and since 1992, she has opened her art studio for the annual Artists in their Environnement held in Chelsea and Wakefield. She has had numerous exhibitions of her art.

SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

City of Ottawa, Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, Ville de Verdun (Quebec), Women Shelter, Chelsea; private and corporate collections

2002 Banners for the "Dragon Festival" Wakefield, Qc

"Harmony"; mural, Gregory School, Wakefield, Qc

2001 "La creation"; mural, Espace Gabrielle Roy. Gloucester (Ottawa)

2000 Murals, Chesterville High School, Chesterville, Ont.

Murals, ceramic, Ottawa Cultural Centre, Ottawa, Out.

"Capes", Pixidum, Ottawa, Ont.

1999 Banners, for Festival of McDonald's Comers, McDonad's Comers, Ont

1999 Painting workshop, SOS Village, La Paz, Bolivia

1997-1999 Mask-making workshop. Catholic School Board schools, Ottawa

1996 "How to make masks", Workshop, Maison de la Culture, Gatineau

Mural, Creeckwood School, Gloucester, Ont and Trillium School, Ottawa

Design of T-shirt for Friends of the Gatineaus, Quebec

1994 "How to make a Book"; Workshop, Chelsea School

1993 Poster for David Hume Conference, University of Ottawa

Poster: "Outaouais Creators"

AWARDS and COMPETITIONS

Algonquin College, Visual Arts Award (1982),

University of Ottawa, Visual Arts Award (1991)

Novotel Ottawa, "Honourable Mention" (1991)

Selected as a finalist in the competition for "hanging work" in the Council Chamber of the new Ottawa City Hall (1992)

COLLECTIONS

City of Ottawa, Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton; Ville de Verdun (Quebec); numerous private and corporate collections; women's Shelter, Chelsea.

Summary of degrees

Université Catholique, France, Educational Psychology

University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Visual Arts (Magna cum Laude) (1991)

Universidad Càtolica de Chile, Diploma in drawing (1985)

Algonquin College, Ottawa, College Diploma in Fine Arts (1982)