Cindy Friesen-Ford Ashurst, Visual Artist
Bio for Cindy Friesen-Ford Ashurst
Vancouver Island–based eclectic artist, Cindy Friesen-Ford Ashurst creates with multi-media in acrylic, oil and pastels, as well as stained glass, tile/mosaics and jewelry. She has formal university training in painting, post graduate work in art therapy and practical training in glass. She was inspired at age 18 by an artistic friend who created the most amazing detailed drawings of everyday items in the landscape. Her main subject matter is drawn from photographs taken everywhere she goes and typically includes realistic landscapes and wildlife, though figures may feature in her work as well. Cindy enjoys experimentation and challenge which had led her to create colorful, vibrant and engaging abstract art from pour painting. She is a current active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, whose work has been awarded and can be found in local and international online art galleries.
Artist Statement:
Art has been a passion for more than 40 years. I create eclectic art, which is constantly evolving as a result of trying new techniques or experimenting with different media. I am motivated to improve my painting talents through representational art of nature, wildlife and landscape scenes photographed while walking or travelling. Vancouver Island provides a treasure trove of beautiful scenery and experiences to paint. I also create abstract art based on explorations into pour painting and sometimes amalgamate the abstract with the representational. Although acrylics have become my favorite media, I also engage with stained and fused glass, tile and jewelry because of the sparkle, shine and iridescence that can be achieved using these media.
Memberships/Galleries
1988 Eston Art Show - Eston, SK
1989 Kindersley Fine Art Show - Kindersley, SK
1990 Frontier Days Art Exhibition - Swift Current, SK
2009 Sundog Exhibition - Yorkton, SK – Glass & Mosaics Exhibited and Sold
2019 Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, Ladysmith, BC, October
2019 Supporting Member of Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC, October
2019 Creative Craft Fair, Victoria, BC – Art & Glass Exhibited and Sold, November
2020 Active Membership in Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC, January
2020 Nanaimo Chapter of FCA – Nanaimo, BC, January
2021 Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Duncan, BC, November
2022 Mid-Island Artist's Spring Show, Costin Hall, Lantzville, BC, May 7th and 8th
2022 Membership with the Chemainus Arts Council, Chemainus, BC, June
2022 Salish Sea Gallery/Ocean Ecoventures, Cowichan Bay, BC, June
2022 Rainforest Arts - Retail Gallery Space, Chemainus, BC, June
2023 Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
2023 Victoria Chapter of FCA
2023 Ladysmith Arts Council, Ladysmith, BC
2023 Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Duncan, BC
2023 Chemainus Arts Council - Rainforest Arts, Chemainus, BC
Canadian Exhibitions
Cowichan Valley Arts Council/CV Public Art Gallery
2021 - Teeny Tiny Artworks Show - November 16 - December 17- Artwork, jewelry
and coasters were available for sale in the in the Annex and Gallery
2022 - Animalia Exhibition in the CVAC Gallery, Duncan, BC - January 6 - February 10
“Moose”, “Peacock Pride”, and “Fawn in the Forest” were exhibited
- CVAC Fine Art Show, Duncan gallery - May 5 – 29 “Moose Mountain Golf Course"
- Islands Agriculture Show, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds - July 6-7 included "Straw
Lunch" and "Doey-Eyed" in the exhibition.
- Summer Share-A-Wall Exhibition - CVAC Annex - July 28 – August 18
Group Exhibition - One of five artists participating
- Breath of Art Market - August 6, Station Street, downtown Duncan, BC.
- Summer Art Fair, Cowichan Valley Public Art Gallery - August 13 and 20th, downtown
Duncan, BC
2023 - Islands Agriculture Show - Duncan - February 3-4
- Ekphrastic Reversed - April 1 to 28
- CVAC Fine Arts Show - "Ucluelet Sunset" - May 5 to June 2
- CVAC Art Market - Downtown Duncan - July 29
- Turning Seasons Exhibition - September 7 to October 3
- Cedar: A Celebration Exhibition - October 10 to November 10
- Teeny Tiny Artwork Sale - November 21 to December 23
2024 - Games People Play - January 9 to 31
- From Old to New - February 3 to 29
Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibitions
2020 - Canvas Unbound Online Exhibition Art Selected: “Ocean’s Alive” & “Butterfly
Garden” - April 14 – 22
- 365 Calendar Project Online Exhibition – Art Chosen – “Early on a Frosty
Morning” – May 1 - 31
- Animalis Online Exhibition – Art Selected – “Moose” May 12 - 24
- Landscapes Exhibition, Art Selected – “Whatcom Falls” – June 15 – July 1
- Summer Member Showcase – Nanaimo Chapter, FCA Online Exhibition;
“Harbour Seal” & “Ocean Surf” Exhibited – June to August
- Limitless Exhibition - August 1 - 31, juried "Shoreline" into the show
- Small Artwork Exhibition juried "Pink Reflections", "Inside Passage" and
"Butterflies" online and in gallery exhibition - August 17 – 30, Granville Island
Gallery, Vancouver, BC
- Crisis: Climate Change Exhibition - October 5 – 18 - juried “Impacted Oceanlife”
as a “Recognized Work” for the Online show.
- Shape and Form Exhibition - October 19 - November 1 juried “Whale Spirit”
into the gallery show and recognized “Bison 2” for inclusion in the online
exhibition.
- Concept Exhibition - November 3 – 15 juried “Frozen” into the Granville Island
Gallery show and “Family” was recognized for inclusion in the online show.
- Bella! Exhibition juried "Coastline" into their November 16 - 29 show at the
Granville Island Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
- Nanaimo Chapter of the FCA included "Leaping Lion" - November 6 - 19 Online
Chapter Exhibition on the FCA website at www.artists.ca
2021 - Water Exhibition online - March 2021 - “Ocean’s Alive” juried in
- Spring Showcase - Nanaimo Chapter of the FCA March 22 - April 12
at www.nanaimofca.com -
- Vancouver Salon Exhibition - May 30 – June 12 “Peacock Pride” and “Night
Waves” juried in.
- Limitless Exhibition juried “Wolf as Red Riding Hood”, into the online exhibition
July 1 to 31, 2021 at www.artists.ca
- Summer Sizzler Exhibition - Nanaimo Chapter of the FCA online - July 23 – August 13
“Hanging Heart Lake” was juried in at www.nanaimofca.com
- Shape and Form Exhibition - August 30 - September 12 “Water Buffalo” was
juried into the Granville Island Gallery, Vancouver, BC
- Chapter Challenge Exhibition - September juried in “Pink Reflections”
- “NOW” Exhibition BC - November 15 - 28 - “Heat Wave” and “Forest Fire” juried into
the Granville Island Gallery, Vancouver
- Ten-Squared Exhibition - December 13 – 23 FCA Gallery Granville Island selected
“Serendipity”,“Balance”, “Whale Spout” and “Under the Microscope” for inclusion
2022 - Active Member Exhibition juried “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” as a “Recognized Work”
January 8 – 23
- Works on Paper Exhibition January 25 - February 6 - “Lobster”, “Tree Bark”, “Flames
in the Forest”, and “Fire of the Dragon” were juried into the Granville Island Gallery,
Vancouver
- Artist’s Choice Exhibition - February 8 – 22 “Lake at Fernie” juried as a “Recognized
Work”
- Shape and Form Exhibition - February 22 - March 6 – “Seattle Cityscape", a collage
on wood panel, juried
- Animalis Exhibition - March 8 - 22 "Golden Eagle" juried into the Granville Island
Gallery, Vancouver, BC
- Landscapes Exhibition - May 23 - June 8 - "Into the Light" juried into the Granville
Island Gallery and online at www.artists.ca . One of 57 artworks chosen from over 250
entries for this exhibition.
- Chapter Challenge Online Only Exhibition - September 1-30 “Into the Light" juried
2023 - 365 Online Exhibition and Calendar Contest - May 1 to 14 (View from Whiffin Spit)
- Chapter Challenge Online Only Exhibition - July 1 to 14 (Ucluelet Sunset)
- Nature Trust of BC (View from Whiffin Spit)
- Art Speaks - November 14 to 26 (Summer Fun)
- Water Exhibition - November 28 to December 10 (Lake Crescent)
- 10 Squared Exhibition - December 11 to 30 (Gabriola Beachcombers/Hummingbird Hydrangea
2024 - Scenes from Canada - February 20 to March 10 (Esquimalt Lagoon, Victoria)
- 365 Online Exhibition and Calendar Contest - June 1 - 21 (Ocean Tides)
- Abstracted Exhibition - July 8 to 28 (Camouflaged Bird, Mist on the Mountain, Purple Palm,
Color Flames in a Campfire)
- On the Edge Exhibition - July 29 to August 18 (Bursting Bloom, Blowing in the Wind, Floating Lilac,
The Big Splash)
- Chapter Challenge - August 1 to 21 (Kaleidoscope, Crocodile Skin, Undersea Life)
- BC Artist Spotlight Nature Trust of BC - September 10 to 22 (Butchart-Inspired Bloom,
Island Bird)
- Small Exhibition 2D - September 24 to October 6 (Iridescent Lace Fan, Gold Purple Web Panel)
Ladysmith Arts Council Exhibitions
2019 - Under the Microscope Show - October
- Christmas Art Exhibition – December
2020 - Matters of the Heart Show – February
- Journeys Exhibition– March
- Monoprints Online Exhibition – May
- Stories of the Forest Online Show – June
- Botanical Exhibition Online included “Butterfly Garden” – September
- Mindscapes Exhibition - October Online
- Out of the Box Online Exhibition included "Flow", "Transformation" and
"Northern Lights" - November
- LAC Christmas Show - December 4 – 31st, included “Whistler Snowfall”,
“Frozen” and “Emerging in their online exhibition at www.ladysmitharts.ca
2021 - Ladysmith Fine Arts Show, - February 6th to 28 “Peacock Pride” and “Frozen”
- Royal LePage Window Display, downtown Ladysmith - June 7 to 28
- Land and Sea of the West Coast Exhibition online – July
- In Motion Exhibition – October
- Inanimate Objects Show - November - “Western Music”, “Worn and Weathered”, and
“Rusted & Retired” exhibited
- Holiday Celebrations Exhibition - December - Smoky Ucluelet Sunset”, “Forest Floor”
and “Fernie at Dusk” were included at www.ladysmitharts.ca - “Smoky Ucluelet
Sunset” sold during this exhibition.
2022 - Laughter is the Best Medicine Exhibition - January
- Ladysmith Arts Council Spring Studio Tour - April 22, 23, 24
- Ladsymith Fine Craft Show - May 6 to 30 - Combined Media juried "Island
Bench" and "Sailing Cabinet" in, "Dolphin Table" - Glass Category
- Royal LePage Window Display downtown Ladysmith - May 30 - June 20
- West Coast Architecture Exhibition - July included "Seattle Cityscape", "Coal
Harbour Sunset" and "Hobbit House" online and in-gallery
- Big Tress Are A Big Deal Exhibition - August included "Roots", "Tree Bark",
"Atop Sugarloaf Mountain", "River Cruise (Port Alberni)", and "Coastal
Reflections" online and in-gallery
- Arts on the Avenue Vendor, Ladysmith, BC - August 28
2023 - Spectrum Art Show - February 28 to March 6 - 5 pieces of artwork
- Water Exhibition - July 5 to 30 (Treasure at the End of the Trail)
- Travel Exhibition - August (Ucluelet Sunset)
- Landscapes Exhibition - August 30 to September 20 (View from Salt Spring)
- Royal LePage Window Display - August 8 to 22
- Wild Exhibition - October 4 to 29 (Moose)
- Inclusion Exhibition - October 31 to November 15 (The Beauty Within Diptych/The Road Less Travelled)
- Traditions and Gallery Special - November 29 to January 8 (Christmas Decorations/Tangled Lights/Melting
Snow/Copper Paisley)
2024 - Food for Thought Exhibition - January 17 to February 4 (Lobster/Medicine Lake)
- Inspired By Text - February 7 to 21 (Back in Time/Country Music)
- Royal LePage Window Display - January 30 to February 20
- Growth Exhibition - March 6 to 20 (Cathedral Grove)
- Feathers and Fur Exhibition - April 2 to 17 (Washington Wallaby/Duck Reflections)
- Shape and Color - June 4 to 20 (Geranium, Chameleon)
- Under the Sea - July 3 - 24 (Through the Glass-Bottomed Boat, Undersea Life)
- Local Treasures - August 7 to 21 (Treasure at the End of the Trail, Ocean Tides)
- Arts on the Avenue - Sunday, August 25th Booth #48
International Juried Art Exhibitions
Art Ascent Magazine
- "Escape" and "Prairie Seas" were published in the August 2020 Abstract Magazine on
pages 84 and 85 at www.artascent.com
Art Scene West
- Reawakening to the Beauty of the West Coast 2020 Exhibition www.artscenewest.com - July
29 - October 31, 2020 - Artwork was also exhibited on www.artsy.net
Contemporary Art Gallery Online (CAGO)
- ALL Abstracted 2020 Exhibition - July 2020 at www.ContemporaryArtGalleryOnline.org
- 2020 Water/Seascape Painting/Drawing Exhibition August 2020
www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.gallery/2020-art-competition-seascapes
- ALL Animals Exhibition October 2020
- ALL LANDSCAPES ART Exhibition - May 19 - June 15, 2021
Contemporary Art Room Gallery
- Third Annual Animals Online Art Exhibition – July 2020 Finalist Awarded for "Butterfly
Garden" "Peacock Pride" and Moose www.artroomgalleryonline.com/current_exhibition.html
- Portrait Online Art Competition - May 2021 selected "Family" as a Finalist
- 4th Annual Animals Online Exhibition - June 2021 juried "Bison 2" as a Finalist
- 2nd Faces Online Art Competition - October 2021 Prairie Icon" juried as a "Finalist"
Federation of Canadian Artists
- Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition – May 2020 - Granville Island Gallery,
Vancouver, BC Art juried – "Spirits of the Totems"
- "Transformation", "Erosion" and "Day Turns to Night" juried into the Annual International
Mail-In Art Exhibition (AIMAE) - March 29 - April 16, 2021, Granville Island Gallery,
Vancouver, BC. Change was the theme.
- "The Reef", "Water Under the Bridge", and "Japanese Garden" were juried into the 2022
Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition (AIMAE) showing June 6 to 26, 2022 online and
at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island, Vancouver. Connection was the theme for this
exhibition.
- Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition - July 3 to 23, 2023 (Struggling with Addiction - Sold)
Gallery Ring
- People Exhibition – July 2020 - Finalist Awarded for "Three Generations" and "Aging
Gracefully" at www.galleryring.org
- Animal 2020 Exhibition - August 2020 - Finalists recognized for "Bison 2" and "Wolf as Red
Riding Hood" www.galleryring.org/current-exhibition.html
- Land Water Sky - August 2020 selected "Shoreline", "Inside Passage", "Hanging Heart
Lake", and "Early on a Frosty Morning" as Finalists
- OPEN Online Art Competition - September 2020 included "Transformation" and "Leaping
Lion" as Finalists
- Colourful Exhibition - December 2020 at www.galleryring.org-
- Land Water Sky Exhibition - June 2021 online at www.galleryring.org.
- Animal Online Exhibition – September 2021 accepted "Whale Spirit" and "Fawn in the
Forest" as Finalists
- Abstract Exhibition – November 2021 at www.galleryring.org
Grey Cube Gallery
- Skies Exhibition – July 2020 - Finalist Awarded for "African Sunset" and "Lake Louise" at
www.greycubegallery.com/current-show/index.html
- Colors Exhibition - August 2020 at www.greycubegallery.com recognized "Butterflies"
artwork as a "Finalist"
- Blue Exhibition - August 2021 selected "Ocean Surf" for their online show
- Modern Art Contest - September 2021 accepted "Prairie Seas" and "Prairie Twister"
as "Finalists" at www.greycubegallery.com
- Artist's Choice Exhibition - October 2021 at www.greycubegallery.com - "Smoky Ucluelet
Sunset" juried as"Finalist"
- Water Art Competition online - July 2022 "View from Whiffin Spit" and "Treasure at the End
of the Trail" were selected as “Finalists”
Fusion Art Gallery
- 4th Annual SKIES Competition - August 2020 selected "Purple Golden Sunset" to be
included in the online exhibition for at www.fusionart.com
- Waterscapes – October 2020 Online Exhibition selected “Ucluelet” and “Ucluelet Sunset” as
“Finalists” in the Photography and Digital Category.
Light Space Time Gallery
- Second Annual Primary Colors Online Exhibition - July 2020
www.lightspacetime.art/primary-colors-art- exhibition-2020-painting-other-media
- Animals Exhibition - August 2020 at www.lightspacetime.art
- Seascapes Exhibition - October 2021 www.lightspacetime.art/seascapes-art-exhibition. 590
entries from 21 different countries and 31 states participated in the show.
- Nature Exhibition - November 2021.
- 13th Landscapes Exhibition - 2023
- Summer 5 for 10 - July 5 to September 5 - Special Merit Award earned for Kaleidoscope and Gold Purple Bloom Panel
- 6th Annual Primary Colors - July 1 to 31 (Bursting Bloom earned 8th Place Painting Category, Puffer Fish
earned Special Merit Award
Awards
- Eston Art Show (Eston, SK) –1988 Honourable Mention for “Aging Gracefully”-
- Frontier Days Exhibition (Swift Current, SK) –1990 First Place, Wildlife & Landscapes
(Pastel)
- Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition – May 2020 - Federation of Canadian Artists
Granville Island Gallery, Vancouver, BC - "Spirits of the Totems" – Awarded “Honourable
Mention”
- ALL Abstraction 2020 Exhibition - July 2020 - Awarded Third Place for "Flow"
at www.ContemporaryArtGalleryOnline.org
- Second Annual Primary Colors Online Exhibition – Light Space Time Gallery - July
2020 - Awarded "Special Recognition" for "Sunset Over the Mountains"
- Awarded "Blue Whale" with "Special Recognition in the Animals Exhibition - August
2020 at www.lightspacetime.art
- Animal 2020 Exhibition – Gallery Ring - August 2020 - Awarded "Honourable Mention"
for "Masked Swimmer"
- Land Water Sky - Gallery Ring - August 2020 recognized "Pink Reflections" as
their “Emerald Award” Winner
- OPEN Online Art Competition – Gallery Ring - September 2020 recognized "Escape" with
an "Honourable Mention"
- "Butterflies" was honored with a "Juror's Award" in the December 2020 online
Colourful" Exhibition at www.galleryring.org-
- Land Water Sky Exhibition awarded "Ocean Beach" with their “Sapphire Award” - June
2021 online at www.galleryring.org.
- Blue Exhibition selected "Ocean Surf" for an “Honorable Mention” in their online show
beginning August 20, 2021 at www.greycubegallery.com
- "Inside Passage" and "Maligne Lake 2" were honored with "Special Recognition" in the
Light Space Time Seascapes Exhibition - October 2021
- "Lake at Fernie" was honored with "Special Merit" recognition in the Light Space Time
Nature Exhibition - November 2021.
- "Inferno" was honored with "Best in Show" distinction during the Abstract Exhibition –
November 2021 at www.galleryring.org
- "Into the Light" received a "Special Merit Award" out of 546 entries and "Quarry Lake 2"
received an "Honorable Mention" in the 13th Annual Light-Space-Time Landscapes
Exhibition - September 2023
- "Kaleidoscope" and "Gold Purple Bloom Panel" received "Special Merit" Awards for LST Summer 5 for 10
July 5 to September 5, 2024
- "Bursting Bloom" received 8th Place Award in Painting Category for 6th Annual LST Primary Colors and
"Puffer Fish" received a "Special Merit" Award July 2024
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