Bill Brownridge
Bill Brownridge graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Art (now the Alberta College of Art) with a diploma in advertising art. In 1975-76 he won a Canada Council grant to paint and draw the disappearing railroad architecture of the prairies. He was commissioned in 1981 by the Calgary Olympic Development Association to render a series of serigraphs depicting the sporting events of the Olympic Winter Games. These works were used as a part of Calgary's winning presentation (both in print and film) to the International Olympic Committee for the 1988 Olympics.
Bill Brownridge has participated in exhibitions with the Alberta Society of Artists, the Ontario Society of Artists, the Burnaby Print Show, the Young Contemporaries of Canada, the Red River Exhibition, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, and Calgary's Glenbow Museum.
Bill Brownridge was commissioned to design new uniforms in 1993 for the NHL's Calgary Flames Hockey Team. Later, in 1995, he wrote and illustrated his first children’s book "The Moccasin Goalie". It was very well received and is into its second edition. The sequel, "The Final Game" tells of the continuing adventures of Danny Moccasin. His works are represented with many corporations and private collections, and in the homes of NHL players and coaches. Bill was also chosen as 1 of 12 artists featured in an exhibition during the NHL all-star game in February 2001.
Bill Brownridge's latest accomplishments include participation in Calgary’s “Udderly Art” project with his cow, “Hockeycow” being auctioned for $51, 000, the release of a new limited edition print titled "The Yearlings", and a new book released in the fall of 2002 titled "Victory at Paradise Hill", the last instalment of "The Moccasin Goalie" trilogy.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My inspiration to paint comes from three main sources. Being born with cripple’s legs and unable to participate in athletics has left me fascinated with all types of action. The environment into which I was born, the Canadian prairies, is cold for six months of the year and has given me a love of winter, both its shining beauty and its starkness. My brothers were great hockey players and they became my heroes and showed me the power, speed and grace of the game – a game that at its best teaches courage and selflessness. My painting is from the school of impressionism. I love colour and the dynamics of colour. I usually start on a canvas or hardboard panel with a colour primer. I usually have a scene in mind, either from memory or from the landscape of the local area. I sketch the composition with a light charcoal line drawing, which is later lost as the paint builds up. I use strokes or dots of colour that are close in tone and vibrate against each other (yellow beside blue, green beside purple). Because of the snowy landscape, I am always trying to capture the incredible moods of light and shadow on snow and the sparkle of the colours of children at play.”
Born on October 14, 1932 in Rosetown, SK. Died on May 1st, 2024
Nationality is Canadian.
