Dominik Modlinski
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Artist Profile
Dominik J. Modlinski was born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 20, 1970. From an early age, he studied printmaking and later attended the School for Artistic Crafts and Design in Warsaw. In 1987, he immigrated to Canada and studied Fine Arts at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, graduating with honors in 1993. While studying landscape painting, Dominik was naturally drawn to the wilderness of Northern Ontario. Following his graduation, he moved to the Algoma region of Ontario to paint at the Algoma School of Landscape Arts. Since then, he has pursued his passion for painting the wilderness in various locations around the globe. As a matter of course, Dominik incorporates the journey motif, his creative process, and his personal growth into his work.
In the early ’90s, his travels led him to the Yukon wilderness and the far North, where he truly found his inner creative calling, depicting the dramatic landscapes of Canada. Dominik has been returning to the Yukon for over two decades, drawn by the ever-changing and harsh environment that offers him limitless inspiration.
Dominik’s painting journeys are a wilderness experience based on weeks of traveling rugged and barren lands to capture, in plein air style, the majesty of nature. He embarks on a journey through the path of nature’s four seasons, finding continuous creative fuel in the unique and challenging landscapes. At the heart of his travels is a quest to discover and depict the inherent balance and truthfulness found in nature. Dominik enjoys the physical challenge that painting in such remote locations entails. It’s also an opportunity to visually celebrate a unique ecosystem. For this artist, the celebration of Nature is really at the heart of his work. Dominik’s northern travels have inspired him to explore further and visit many of the earth’s last remaining wilderness areas. Some of the most extreme painting expeditions took him across continents and hemispheres, such as Antarctica, the High Arctic, Greenland, and Patagonia, into the wilds of Namibia, South Africa, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. As we witness the disappearance of wilderness around the globe, Modlinski’s quest is to portray the need to preserve the beauty of our planet and inspire people to do so through his paintings, photographs, stories, and videos.
When he is not traveling, Modlinski paints at his home studio on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He also devotes his time to filming and creating his ongoing television series called ‘CHANGING LANDSCAPES,’ where he and his best friend travel the world in the quest for adventure and painting locations, broadcasted on the SHAW television channel.
During the time when he is not painting, Dominik follows his second passion, martial arts. He has been training for 37 years in various styles and currently holds a rank of 6th-degree black belt in Karate.
The source of Dominik Modlinski’s artistic inspiration is the never-ending supply of material that nature affords. As a matter of course, Dominik incorporates the journey motif into his work, his creative process, and his personal growth experience. His paintings uniquely depict his passion and knowledge of the wilderness as he lives and paints in remote and fragile ecosystems.
The never-ending supply of material that Canada’s natural scenery affords remains the core of Dominik’s artistic inspiration and has been the platform from which he has expanded his artistic journeys both on a global and personal basis. His brush has led him from the Yukon’s majestic vistas to many of the world’s last wilderness areas. Expeditions to other continents and hemispheres to capture haunting panoramas in his expressive, bold style of impressionistic painting have taken him through the High Arctic, Greenland, Patagonia, South Africa, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Japan, and Antarctica.
Bold, confident brush strokes that incorporate vibrant color harmonies and distinctive forms underscore his vision of the world’s beauty in its natural and pristine state. Dominik was moved by the environmental and ecological impacts he has witnessed around the world and hopes his paintings serve to preserve the beauty of our planet and bring attention to our disappearing wilderness. Ever the optimist, his work is dedicated to inspiring a commitment to environmental preservation.
His paintings are a tribute to the natural geography of the world and are a continued attempt to portray how art can reveal an aspect of what is visible and what requires more attentive appreciation and care; paintings themselves are intended to represent landscapes that are not simply to be admired but also preserved.
Dominik has said, “My work is simply a reflection of what I love to do most. It offers me the opportunity to live on the land, to better my creative vision, and to bring people joy. If I can do that and promote an understanding of the environment through art, then I feel I have contributed to the greater good.”
EDUCATION
1989 – 1993 Ontario College of Art, Drawing & Painting Diploma awarded with Honours.
SCHOLARSHIPS / GRANTS
Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Scholarship, November 1994.
David L. Stevenson Scholarship for Proficiency in Drawing & Painting, May 1993.
Friends of O.C.A., Year Three, for Proficiency in Fine Art, May 1992.
MEMBERSHIPS
Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour
Federation of Canadian Artists
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
” Creating Alpine Magic – Painting Demo/Show ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., September 2023
” Changing Landscapes ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., May 2016
” Horizons ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., May 2013
” 20 + 20 ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., April 2011
” Painter’s Journeys ” – Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC., October 2009
” Recent Works ” – John A. Libby Gallery, Toronto ON., November 2008
” Northern Journeys ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., September 2004
” From Ocean to Icefields ” – Yukon Art Centre, Whitehorse YT., June 2004
” Wild Places “- Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., April 2001
” Discovering Algoma ” – Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., October 1998
” Recent Works ” – Atlin Courthouse, Atlin BC., July 1998
” Recent Works ” – Atlin Courthouse, Atlin BC., July 1997
” Oil Paintings & Watercolours ” – Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., November 1996
” Dynamics of Nature ” – Bailey Bedard Studio Gallery & Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Toronto ON., September 1994
” Recent Paintings ” – Gallery Pekao, Toronto ON., May 1994
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
” Water Exhibition ” – Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver BC., December 2023
” Nature Trust of British Columbia – Artist of the Year Award Exhibition ” – Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver BC., September 2023
” Nanaimo Fine Art Show ” – Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo BC., September 2023
” Vancouver Salon ” – Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver BC., September 2023
” Landscape Exhibition ” – Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver BC., June 2023
” Online Exhibition and Calendar Contest ” – Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver BC., January 2023
” Active Member Exhibition ” – Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver BC., January 2023
” With Love: A Valentine’s Show ” – Waterworks Gallery, Friday Harbor WA., USA February 2021
” Yukon and Alaska, New works ” – Mountain Galleries, Whistler BC., October 2019
” New Work ” – Mountain Galleries, Whistler BC., February 2014
” Landscape Perspective ” – Water Works Gallery, Friday Harbour WA., USA, June 2012
” Toadlena: A Trading Post Visited ” – Medicine Man Gallery, Tucson AZ., USA, Nov 2011
” Wild and Sacred Places” – Mountain Galleries, Whistler BC., March 2011
” Patagonia” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., April 2008
” Alpine Club of Canada Centennial ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., October 2006
” Small Picture Show ” – Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., December 2005
” Sense of Place” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., September 2005
” From Oceans to Icefields ” – Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse YT., June 2004
” Small Picture Show ” – Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., November 2004
” Wonder of Water ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., May 2003
” The International Year of Mountains ” – Canada House Gallery, Banff AB., May 2002
” Northern Arts Festival ” – Inuvik NWT., July 2000
” Small Picture Show ” – Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., November 1999
” 20th Anniversary ” – Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., November 1998
” CIBC Private Banking & Libby’ s of Toronto ” – CIBC Private Banking, Toronto ON., September 1998
” Reverence lost? ” – Wagner Rosenbaum Gallery, Toronto ON., August 1998
Participation in ” Engage ‘ 98 “- Whitehorse YT., May 1998
” Points of View ” – Captain Martin House Gallery, Whitehorse YT., June 1998
” Worlds of Light “- Private Show, Toronto ON., February 1997
Participation in ” Taku Fine Art Auction ” – Vancouver BC., Public Library, March 1997
” Majestic Mountains “- Libby’s Art Gallery, Toronto ON., February 1996
” Painters & Sculptors Fifteen ” – 80 Spadina, Gallery 304, Arts Week, Toronto ON., September 1993
TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS
” Changing Landscapes – BOLIVIA” 2015-2016 season, SHAW TV
” Changing Landscapes – VANCOUVER ISLAND ” 2016-2017 season, SHAW TV
AWARDS
People’s Choice award – ” Nanaimo Fine Art Show, Federation of Canadian Artists ” – Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo BC., September 2023
Third Place Award – ” Nanaimo Fine Art Show, Federation of Canadian Artists ” – Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo BC., September 2023
Second Place Award – ” Online Exhibition and Calendar Contest ” – Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver BC., January 2023
First prize Award – ” Polish Canadian Art Fusion Exhibition ” – Vancouver BC., March 2016. The exhibit was endorsed by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland.
PUBLICATIONS
” Yukon, North of Ordinary ” – Dominik Modlinski May 2016
Arabella Magazine – ” Artist to Collect – Dominik Modlinski ” Autumn 2013
CTV interview – ” Artist aims to preserve endangered spaces ” Oct 27, 2008
Article in the Magazine Art – ” Have Brush, Will Travel “, winter 2007/2008, no. 78.
Article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook – ” Two Artists, same subject, different styles ” April 24, 2008
Article in the “Rocky Mountain Outlook – ” Artist voyages to southern oceans “May 31, 2007
Article in the Yukon News – “Artist thrives in inclement weather ” Jan. 10, 2003
Cover page of the ” Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine “, Volume 6, No. 3, summer 2001
Article in the International Artist magazine – ” Visual excitement and Spiritual Connection “, No. 19, June/July 2001
” Interview with an Artist ” – CBC TV North, Whitehorse YT, Feb. 2001
Oil painting was chosen for the UNICEF Christmas Card, 1998.
” Interview with an Artist ” – CFMT International, Toronto ON, May 1998
Cover page of Taku Fine Art Auction Catalogue, March 1997.
” Interview with an Artist ” – Vision TV, Toronto ON, November 1996.
” Stein Valley – To Protect its Natural and Cultural Heritage “. A watercolour image was chosen for the marketing poster.
Published by Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Vancouver BC, September 1994.
” Interview with an Artist ” – CFMT International, Toronto ON, May 1994
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Ongoing online workshops.
Ongoing in person workshops in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
Drawing and Painting instructor at North Mount Pleasant Art Centre, Calgary, AB,2002 – 2003
Guest art teacher, instructor, and wilderness guide at Atlin Art Center, Atlin, B.C,
1995 – 2000
Chief instructor of the Atlin Martial Arts Center, Atlin, B.C. – teaching karate to children and adults, 1998 – 2001
Assistant instructor at the downtown YMCA Karate Club, Toronto, 1993 – 1995
ARTIST RESIDENCES
Artist in residence at Fairmont Hotels, Whistler, and Banff, 2014 – 2023
Dechenla Lodge, NWT, August 2010
Hakai Beach Institute, Great Bear Rainforest, BC, May 2010
Artist in-residence on-board ice-strengthened, ” Lyubov Orlova “, Antarctica, February 2007
Artist in residence on board Russian Icebreaker ” Kapitan Khlebnikov “, Eastern Arctic, September 2006
Numtijah Bow Lake Lodge, Banff National Park, Alberta, 2003- 2005
Algoma School of Landscape Arts, Algoma, Ontario, 1992 – 1994
SELECTED PRIVATE AND CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Pat Quinn – Toronto Maple Leafs
Husky Injection Mouldings
Altamira Investments Inc
Magna Ltd.
Husky Injection Mouldings
MVS Solutions
Nature’s Scene
Art of The Traderhorn
Varughese Production Inc.
Lawrence & Company
Burgandy Asset Management