An outside perspective

All the Lonely People, an acryilic on canvas by Nikkole LeBrun

MICHELLE WHITTEMORE

Outsiders are welcome at the Amber Group Fine Arts Gallery through November.

Nikkole LeBrun, of Oakville, has no formal art training and will exhibit her pieces, with six other artists at the gallery this month, as outsiders.

Amber Gallery owner Katherine McCarthy Donovan says outsiders have an advantage in the art world because they haven’t been taught the rules and so they can’t be tied down by them.

“It’s very hard for an artist to create something new,” said Donovan. “But an outsider has the advantage in that they don’t know what’s been done.”

This is the gallery’s first outsider exhibit but Donovan hopes it’s the start of many, since the style cannot be faked.

“Some artists try to create a piece as an outsider but you can’t cheat. Only an outsider can do outsider art,” said Donovan.

LeBrun, 23, exhibited her work at Art in the Park in Oakville this summer, but this is the first time she will be featured in a gallery.

LeBrun’s booth at Art in the Park in Oakville, summer 2013. Photo courtesy of Nikkole LeBrun

She was always interested in art and would give her pieces away to friends. It wasn’t until she quit her job at a restaurant earlier this year and began working at an art supply store that she got serious about her work and started charging.

Donovan has priced LeBrun’s pieces from $100 to $800 for the exhibit.

“Her stuff has a bit of a Warhol vibe,” said Bill Horodecky, an art collector from Hamilton, referring to Lebrun’s All the Lonely People, an acrylic on canvas. “I really like it.”

The painting is colour-blocked, with thick black lines, outlining faces, some complete and some partial.

“It started out as the Beatles and then I just changed and warped their faces so it would look like they are all just random people,” said LeBrun

LeBrun credits Andy Warhol as an inspiration but she also says her travel experience helped develop her style. She spent time in Europe, touring France, England, Scotland and Greece.

LeBrun in Bath, England. One of her travel experiences in Europe. Photo courtesy of Nikkole LeBrun

“I like to learn from people around the world. I don’t like being confined,” said LeBrun. “I get inspiration from music and people who aren’t in the art world at all.”

When she was young she wanted to be a marine biologist or a forensic scientist, but now she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I’m happy,” said LeBrun.

This film available on youtube depicts the works of a self-taught artist, found only after his death.

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