Here at Little Shop of Artist we showcase the up-and-coming as well as the seasoned artist. This month we are featuring Ed Goodon (Metal Dream Designs), Angella Goodon, Jazmyn Douilliard, Stu Brown Photography and Theresa Fougere. Find out what makes your favorite artist tick by reading thier bios below!

Ed Goodon - Metal Dream Designs

The creative force behind Metal Dream Designs, Edward Goodon`s spirit soars as a metal sculptor. In his words "beginning of my explorations in form may be a type of material, an idea, scrap on the floor, a vision, a sketch, or nothing at all: just pure play. I try to create sculptures that play on the basic nature and ruggedness of the metals I use. I believe it's necessary to ensure that each sculpture expresses just the right emotion".

Welded steel, recycled metal and more come to life as Edward sculpts them into fluid, organic forms and "personalities". "I guess I've always been an Artist, building sculptures and art pieces has been a hobby of mine for the past 30 years". His work over the years has evolved into a diverse collection of garden sculptures and decorative indoor art pieces. "My ancestry is metis and this influence can be seen in several of my earlier pieces. Some of the items used were actual items my dad and I used when trapping and hunting as a young man".

After many compliments and much encouragement from everyone who has seen his work, he decided that it was time to give his work the exposure it deserved. With the help of his wife, he began bringing his work to the public with the creation of Metal Dream Designs in 2005. Their website is www.metaldreamdesign.com

Angella Goodon

Angella Goodon is an emerging abstract artist, currently living and working in Kelowna. Angella has had a passion for art since a very young age and credits much of her creative inspiration coming from her father, a fellow artist, and her brother, a musician. Even though she is predominently self taught, she recently completed a two-year Diploma in Art. Through these classes, her love for fine art and design grew, and she was able to refine her abstract style. She has been approached to paint a number of commissions and has several pieces in private collections. In January 2009, she launched her website, www.angellagoodon.com displaying her most recent work.

Jazmyn Douillard

Jazmyn is an illustrator and graphic designer, but you will see many mediums in the store of her work since she's always experimenting with something new.

Born and raised in Kelowna, she has taken on many commissions for graphics and illustrations for local companies and clubs, and she is always taking on extra work to help out start up companies.

Her artwork has appeared in magazines and websites worldwide, but she can't consider any of it work. Creating is simply what she loves to do. Any style, any medium, everything is a new challenge and something she'll gladly take on.

She's greatly inspired by both American and Asian comics, and you will see a lot of that translate through her work, but don't be surprised if you turn around and see something abstract with her name on it, or something sculpted. Life is too bland for her if you only look at one way to live, and one way to create.

Much of her work can be viewed at http://bandeau.deviantart.com

Stu Brown Photography

The story of how I became the artist I am today is different than the usual.

Although I grew up in Chilliwack, British Columbia, along the Chilliwack River and had a great appreciation for nature. Plus a passion for photography I just wasn't ready for the art world until later in life.

After leaving high school I worked mostly in the construction field. In the beginning of my career I was working for a great company and enjoying life. However that company eventually closed their doors and I had to work for companies I didn't like, and in cities I couldn't stand just to make the above average wages I thought I wanted. I had somehow let greed get in the way of enjoying life. Little did I realize at that time that this greed was not only ruining my enjoyment from life, but it was also tearing me apart from my family roots.

Finally in 1999 I finally saw what was happening to me and decided to change it. I moved to the Okanagan, British Columbia, where I was actually starting to enjoy life. I was doing the same type of work, only at a much more enjoyable pace. I took the time out to go for the odd drive in the country, and made a whole new group of friends. My life still wasn't perfect, but it was a much healthier lifestyle.

Oddly enough it took an accident to help me realize that enjoyment starts within. After having multiple fractures while in a boat accident I was basically forced to take 2 years off altogether. And now I'm limited to light duties for life.

Since then I've picked the camera up for the first time, something that I had always enjoyed.

Presently I'm blessed with the opportunity of living in the Sunny Okanagan, British Columbia, which is in my opinion one of the most beautiful places in the world. I'm inspired to take some breathtaking photos wherever I travel to in this vast province.

I don't have the perfect lifestyle yet, but give me time and I know that I'll make it as close as humanly possible.

Stu's website is http://www.bcscenicwonder.com/

Theresa Fougere

Life moves forward according to the use of abilities, talents.  My love for nature, led me to paint the wildlife of Canada.  Having painted since childhood, I am now enjoying the designs watercolours create, controlling the uncontrollable, to a degree.  I am also playing with acrylics, to create forms, distinct from backgrounds.  

I have been painting in Kelowna since 2003.  I have travelled, displayed, studied, and worked in Nova Scotia, Southern Ontario and Northern Alberta.  I acquired my B.A., with a fine art major from Guelph University.  Teaching at Keyano College for 5 years was very a good challenge.