Meet the OAS Instructors
Click on instructors image to be taken to their websites
Tritan Braho
Tritan’s work captures and examines overlooked everyday objects and moments and the light around them. He uses photography to freeze change, light and movement and transfers his chosen image into canvas using a high level of technical skill during the painting process. It is during this process that he gives his subject an intriguing presence while building a relationship between figuration and abstraction.
Barbara Chapman
Born in Newfoundland, Barbara is heavily influenced by the natural world, rocky coasts, sky and ever changing atmosphere. She has studied privately, as well as pursuing Art and Art History at both Sheridan College and the University of Toronto. With a long background in adult education, she now teaches and demonstrates in Mississauga and Oakville.
Heather de Haan
Since I was a young child lying on the floor, spending countless hours sketching in my bedroom, creating and designing have been a part of my everyday life. With a background in the fashion design industry, I have pivoted into facilitating accessible creativity in community at all ages and stages in life. I enjoy working with beginner artists in the safe environment of the art studio to learn skills and techniques and unlock their creative potential. I believe that the creative process is not defined by perfection, but by exploration, growth mindset, and that "making" is necessary, healing, and soul filling. I enjoy all forms of art, especially painting (mostly acrylics), creating mixed media, murals/street art, and am currently discovering my evolving personal artistic style. I look forward to creating with you!
Susan DelBianco
Susan attended Fanshawe College for Advertising art and Fine art. She’s exhibited her work at different area venues. Inspiration comes through her photography and enjoys reimaging some of her work into more abstract pieces.
Carolyn Hassard
Carolyn is an Ontario qualified Visual Arts teacher who has returned to painting full time after 35 of working in Education. Carolyn is interested in sharing the joys of a creative life and in building creative communities.
Diana Lee
Oil, Acrylic, Drawing and Watercolour Artist -This award winning artist is passionate about painting and drawing. She enjoys the challenge of different mediums. Diana’s work can be found in public and private art collections both in Canada and abroad.
Cathy Lorraway PAC, AOCA, BFA, B’ED. BA
Plein Air Landscape, Pastel and Drawing artist, Cathy is passionate about teaching and learning to draw and to paint the natural environment as well as the figure. She is a former high school art teacher who now teaches students of all ages, both locally and internationally, as an artist in the classroom and as a former artist in residence at Crawford Lake. She holds a BFA and is an Associate of Ontario College of Art and Design in Drawing and Painting. Cathy’s colourful artwork can be found in many local art shows and tours as well as in collections in Canada and abroad.
Robin J Mitchell
Robin paints daily life, things that inspire and excite. All the paintings are small, making it easier for people to buy and collect them. “Creating these small treasures brings great joy to my life.” Robin has won a Gemini Award for his work on the movie Nuremberg and has served on a Program Advisory Board at Sheridan College with the Dean of the Arts Program as well as the Dean of the College. His daily paintings on his blog have been viewed by almost fifty thousand visitors.
Wendy Pride
Artist Wendy Pride is an oil painter passionate about both the effects of light and the impact of colour. She paints in the impressionist style and studied at the Cape Cod and Scottsdale Arizona Schools of Art under the mentorship of artists Tom Browning, Joyce Pike, Charles Sovek and others. She previously exhibited in the Algoma region including at the popular invitational “Four and Friends” show. She is active in the Greater Toronto Area art community, exhibiting and educating.Wendy is pleased to be an Associate Member of Oil Painters of America.
Shelley Prior
Shelley's passion for nature is evident in much of her work, but she also enjoys painting portraits, landscapes and still life. A graduate of Sheridan College in Oakville and Dundas Valley School of Art, Shelley has taught watercolour and acrylic painting throughout Ontario for more than 20 years. Her work has been seen in several local juried shows and has won local and international awards.
Ron Van Zutphen
Ron is an Oakville based professional photographer. He is an Ontario certified teacher with over 30 years of experience in the classroom and a passion for sharing his knowledge. His goals are simple: to nurture the artist in everyone and to make it fun!
Community Outreach Art Program Instructors
Karlene Bland
Karlene is dedicated to providing a warm, caring and inspiring environment for seniors and those with struggling with disabilities. Her genuine love of teaching and her bubbly, friendly personality has made a lasting impression on all those she meets.
