Paintings:Recent 2007-2009

Welcome to Lazarus Ioannou’s recent works (2007-2009): the “OLIPHOREST SERIES”…

“Stand in the middle of a forest.
Everything becomes strange but familiar, you are alone but not lonely, peaceful but wary,

and feel small despite the largeness you are now a part of.
The story of all these feelings,experiences, and moods feed the passion for my expression.
Canada’s natural landscape offers a link to life on this land, reminding us that
everything is connected. In some small way I hope to capture the emotion through colour,
shape, and texture to share the journey with anyone in need of a good story.” L.Ioannou

“EAST TO BLUE”, acrylic on canvas, 12″ x 12 ” x 1.5″deep, at LEVEL GALLERY

The view travelling east along the southern Georgian Bay shore towards the Blue Mountains, Ontario, Canada. Nov.2009

“FALL CLOUD ROAD”, acrylic on canvas (framed), 16″ x 16″, at LEVEL GALLERY

The vista from the rolling hills of the counties of Ontario in Autumn, October 2009

“FALL RIDE PASSENGER SIDE”, acrylic on canvas (framed), 14″ x 14″, at LEVEL GALLERY

Remember the view out the car driving in the country in Autumn, October 2009

“BRUCE STORM BREWING”, acrylic , wood, 12″ x 12″OWNED: TONG-SCHAFFER PRIVATE COLLECTION

Inspired by the rolling thunderstorms over Bruce County, Ontario, Canada, August 2009.

“HUNGRY”, acrylic on wood, 12″ x 12″

Nurture in nature...

“HOMEMAKER”, acrylic on wood, 12″ x 12″

Dedicated to the tireless 'moms' of the forests who live to support the next generation...

“DINNER GUEST”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″

Thinking of Spring in February '09...

“LAKE HURON FISHER”, acrylic on wood, 12″ x 12″

The 5th in a series of "Peninsula People" portraits. A weathered fisherman of the Great Lakes. May2009

“OLIPHOREST MUSE”, acrylic on wood, 12″ x 12″

The 4th in a series of "Peninsula People" portraits. A beautiful local woman that inspires me. April 2009

“BRUCE COUNTY BUTCHER”, acrylic on wood, 12″ x 12″

My third painting in a series of 'Peninsula People' portraits. April 2009.

“OLIPHOREST WEAVER”, acrylic on wood, 12″ x 12″

Peninsula People Portraits 2, April 2009

“OLIPHOREST HUNTER”, acrylic on wood, 12″ x 12″

First painting of new 'Peninsula People' series. A local 'self-sustaining' hunter shows respect, reflection, and maybe a bit of regret in his weathered face. March 2009

“ANATOMY OF A SNOWBALL”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″

October 2008, first winter-inspired painting

“SNOW CROW STORM”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 20″

winter works 2008

“SKETCH FOR OLIPHOREST”, acrylic on wood, 4″ x 16″OWNED: BOLTMAN PRIVATE COLLECTION

“SNOW FARMER”, acrylic on wood, 20″ x 16″

20" by 16" acrylic on wood

“MOGUL MOON”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″

Inspired by the moonlit ski-hills of the Blue Mountains, Canada.

“WINTER GHOSTS”, acrylic on canvas, OWNED: MUELLER PRIVATE COLLECTION

“SPANISH RIVER MOON”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″ OWNED: MORGAN PRIVATE COLLECTION

“SPANISH RIVER RIDE”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 20″ OWNED: MORGAN PRIVATE COLLECTION

acrylic on wood, 16" x 20"

“OLIPHOREST FLOOR”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″

“OLIPHOREST NESTLING”, acrylic on wood, 48″ x 24″ OWNED: MARKVART PRIVATE COLLECTION

“FIRE OF DESPOND”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″

“OLIPHOREST TREE BIRD”, acrylic on wood, 36″ x 16″ ‘Visionary Award’ winner Apr.08

“SKETCHES for OLIPHOREST: smaller works“, acrylic on canvas, from 5×7″ to 8×10″

“FEAST FOR THE BIRDS”, Mural: house paint, metallic ink, on drywall, 10feet x 8feet

OWNED: IOANNOU-SECORD PRIVATE COLLECTION

“WOOD SAW”, acrylic and papier maché, 34″ x 7″

“OLIPHOREST TREEBIRD SPRING”, acrylic on wood, 36″ x 16″, at SOUTHAMPTON ART GALLERY

“OLIPHOREST TREE SQUIRREL”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 36″

“PENINSULA PEOPLE”, acrylic on papier mache and wood, 16″ x 30″

“ESCARPMENT ROAD”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 36″

“BEE BOX”, mixed media: acrylic, found objects, wood, 6″w x 15″h x 5″d

“OLIPHOREST FABLE”, acrylic and papier mache on wood, 24″ x 48″ (diptych)

“OLIPHOREST TREEBIRD HAND”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″

“OLIPHOREST TREE FOOT”, acrylic on wood, 16″ x 16″

Lazarus’ Debut at Southampton Gallery

“OLIPHOREST TREE BIRD”, acrylic on wood, 36″ x 16″

The following is an article published in the “Wiarton Echo” Newspaper on April 16,2008:

“Oliphant artist wins ‘Visionary Award’ “

Spring is in the air, and the art is coming out of the woodworks. Local Oliphant artist/designer Lazarus Ioannou has emerged as a creative force to watch, as he has just introduced himself in a grand way to the Bruce/Grey community.
This past Friday April 11, Laz presented his recent artworks at the Southampton Gallery as part of the 6th Annual ‘Feast for the Eyes’ foodbank fundraiser and juried exhibition for emerging artists in the greater Peninsula area. Not only was he asked to represent the event in a live interview on ’98:TheBeach’ radio earlier last week, he was also honoured with the jury’s coveted “Visionary Award”, chosen from over 150 submissions. It was especially coveted by Laz, as one of the judges represented the historic ‘Tom Thomson Gallery’ in Owen Sound. Thomson is a true Canadian legend that inspired the Group of Seven.

“Artist Laz at Southampton Gallery, ON. 2008 with his ‘Visionary Award’ winning painting ‘Oliphorest Tree Bird’ and ‘Peninsula People’.

Joining Laz at the gala was his fiancé Michelle Secord ( of Merth Body and Beauty spa ), as well as a large contingent of friends and fans from Oliphant, Wiarton, Owen Sound, and Saugeen Shores, such as the Gildner’s, Nanni’s, Hickey’s, Bond’s Whyte’s, and Sylver’s. It was a great night for the local Food Banks since the price of admission was a donation to them, as well as a great night to discover one of our lesser known natural resources: art and culture. Laz is a true supporter of this part of our heritage and has even recently uprooted his life in the ‘big city’ to be a part of it.
Lazarus is now looking forward to becoming a bigger part of the Southampton Gallery and Art School along with manager Aly Boltman’s brave and optimistic new direction, as well as promoting our local artistic and cultural values. “Being honoured by a solo show at the Tom Thomson Gallery wouldn’t be bad either”.
Lazarus Ioannou of ‘Lazarusi Studios’ can be reached at 519-534-5346 or emailed at lazarusi@sympatico.ca for a home-studio tour or information regarding his art or design.

“PENINSULA PEOPLE”, acrylic on papier mache on wood, 16″ x 30″