Sylvia Simpson's Creative Works

Sylvia Simpson, owner of Sylvia Simpson’s Creative Works, always wanted to paint and exhibit her work. She worked at Mohawk College as a professor of language studies and painted part-time, but she wanted a studio of her own. In 2007, that desire led her to a cozy location in Hamilton’s Westdale Village. She decided to set up a combined studio/shop/gallery.

Here she’s thrived in the always tenuous business of art. “My advantage as a small business owner is I am creating my own paintings and products,” Sylvia says. "I am using the time to plan commissions, promote my gallery and paint. Plus, I am available for customers and discussions when my clients come through my door."

Sylvia paints with oils and acrylics and enjoys combined mediums like Indian ink and pastel. Then there’s her first love. “My primary medium is watercolour because it’s really fast and I can get glorious colours. It is easy to mix and it’s easy to travel with. A small palette of watercolour paints and a sketch book is all you need."

As for her subjects: “My subjects include northern scenes, Hamilton streets capes, portraits of homes and cottages and, more recently, abstracts and large field paintings of Ontario.”