BFA, MA, IAPS/MC, MPAC, PSA

I paint what appears ordinary - a chef at work, a dog-walker, a gallery-goer, a rubbish bin, a washing machine. Working with a deliberately limited palette, I play and push colour, layering and mixing to interpret what I see, not replicate it. My work is about making you see and feel—joy, unease, curiosity, or anything in between.

Gail Sibley is a pastel artist, instructor, and blogger, inspiring artists worldwide through workshops, online mentoring, and her IGNITE! membership. Based in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Crafting Your Artist Statement

ICAN 2025 - Studio D
Friday, May 30th, 2025
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Demo (Business Session)

An artist statement is a vital tool for communicating your creative vision and connecting with your audience. In this interactive two-hour session, participants will learn what makes a good artist statement as well as the key differences between a general artist statement and one tailored for a specific body of work, such as a solo show.

The workshop will cover:

1. What and Why: Understanding the purpose of an artist statement and how it differs from a CV or Bio.
2. Getting Clear: Digging into what your work is truly about—its themes, inspirations, process, and your unique artistic journey. We’ll go beyond vague statements like “I want my work to bring joy” to uncover what’s personal, unique, and powerful about your art.
3. Writing with Purpose: Creating a statement that speaks to the essence of your broader collection, while recognising that a body of work for an exhibition will require its own distinct statement.

The session combines teaching and hands-on exercises, guiding participants to craft a clear draft by the end of the class. This workshop empowers artists to articulate their vision with clarity and confidence, whether for exhibitions, portfolios, or professional opportunities.

Workshop Material List

• You will need a large selection of images of your work – mostly current but a few from along your journey. These can be digital or physical images but there should be at least 20 and should be easily accessible as a grouping eg if digital, collected together in a photo album
• Your computer/tablet for writing
• You can also bring paper and pen or pencil
• Any artist statements you’ve made previously – digital and also printed copies

Simplify to Amplify: The Two-Colour Workshop

ICAN 2025 - Studio B
Saturday, May 31st, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Half-Day Workshop

This half-day workshop invites participants to embrace the challenge and creative potential of an ultra-limited colour palette. By working with only two colours—each in three values—plus a very light and very dark pastel, artists will explore how constraint can lead to an unexpected freedom of expression.

We’ll begin with a review of value fundamentals, using thumbnails to break down the subject into three key value areas: dark, middle, and light. Participants will learn how to select their two colours thoughtfully, exploring how colour choice impacts mood, focus, and the overall story of the painting.

Through hands-on exercises, we’ll push the boundaries of what can be achieved with these limited tools. The emphasis will be on simplifying and honing in on the essence of the subject without being limited by the tendency to copy “reality.”

This workshop is ideal for artists looking to move away from copying their reference photos. It will help them get clear on what it is they want to say in their paintings, as well as refine their understanding of values and intentional colour use. Participants will leave with a fresh perspective on the power of less.

Workshop Material List

• A selection of your photos to work from
• 1 full sheet of Canson Mi-Teintes neutral-coloured mid-value paper – “Felt Grey” is ideal – cut into four
• Your pastels
• A sheet or two of the paper you usually work on, for example, UART, Lux Archival, Pastel Premier, La Carte – whatever works for you! We will work small and the aim will be for you to try four different versions of a painting.
• Vine charcoal for drawing up your piece
• Sketchbook (white paper)
• 2B and 4B pencils
• Markers – one grey (50%) and one black – with chisel and pointed ends is preferred eg. Prismacolour

Thumbnail Bootcamp: Cracking the Code to Stronger Paintings

ICAN 2025 - FD11
Sunday, June 1, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Full-Day Workshop

In this full-day workshop, participants will explore the transformative power of thumbnails as a foundation for compelling paintings. Often underestimated and underused, thumbnails provide a practical and focused way to develop a painting’s core purpose, refine design and composition, and convey an artist’s unique vision.

The day will be divided into key segments:

1. Breaking Down Values: Participants will learn how to reduce a complex image into three main values—dark, middle, and light. This simplifies visual information, creating a strong and clear foundation.
2. Compositional Exploration: Using thumbnails, we will experiment with design choices to find compositions that are dynamic, that go beyond the obvious and ordinary, that focus on what truly matters in a scene.
3. Value Dominance for Impact: We’ll explore the role of value dominance—an often overlooked tool—to create greater visual impact and emotional resonance.

By focusing on decision-making, simplification, and intention, this workshop will empower participants to make their paintings not only stronger but also unmistakably their own.

The emphasis on hands-on practice and individual guidance will ensure every participant leaves with the tools to incorporate thumbnails into their creative process.

Pre-order your supplies from Studio Six or Wyndham Art Supplies at a discounted rate* and have them delivered to the conference! See Studio Six offer details. See Wyndham Art Supplies offer details.

Workshop Material List

• Your photos – bring lots! Digital or printed
• Sketchbook (white paper)
• 2B and 4B pencils
• Markers – one grey (50%) and one black – with chisel and pointed ends is preferred eg. Prismacolour
• 1 full sheet of Canson Mi-Teintes neutral-coloured mid-value paper – “Felt Grey” is ideal – cut into four.
• A sheet of the pastel paper you usually work on, for example, UART, Lux Archival, Pastel Premier, La Carte – whatever works for you! We will aim to get to at least one or perhaps two small pastel pieces so bring enough paper for that.
• Your pastels