Profile
Bill Brownridge graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Art (now the Alberta College of Art)
with a diploma in advertising art. In 1975-76 he won a Canada Council grant to paint and draw the disappearing railroad
architecture of the prairies. He was commissioned in 1981 by the Calgary Olympic Development Association to render a
series of serigraphs depicting the sporting events of the Olympic Winter Games. These works were used as a part of
Calgary's winning presentation (both in print and film) to the International Olympic Committee for the 1988
Olympics.
Bill Brownridge has participated in exhibitions with the Alberta Society of Artists, the Ontario Society of Artists,
the Burnaby Print Show, the Young Contemporaries of Canada, the Red River Exhibition, the Calgary Exhibition and
Stampede, the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, and Calgary's Glenbow Museum.
Bill Brownridge was commissioned to design new uniforms in 1993 for the NHL's Calgary Flames Hockey Team. Later, in
1995, he wrote and illustrated his first children's book "The Moccasin Goalie". It was very well received and is into
its second edition. The sequel, "The Final Game" tells of the continuing adventures of Danny Moccasin. His works are
represented with many corporations and private collections, and in the homes of NHL players and coaches. Bill was also
chosen as 1 of 12 artists featured in an exhibition during the NHL all-star game in February 2001.
Bill Brownridge's latest accomplishments include participation in Calgary's "Udderly Art" project with his cow,
"Hockeycow" being auctioned for $51, 000, the release of a new limited edition print titled "The Yearlings", and a new
book released in the fall of 2002 titled "Victory at Paradise Hill", the last instalment of "The Moccasin Goalie"
trilogy.
Artist's Statement
My inspiration to paint comes from three main sources. Being born with cripple's legs and unable to participate in
athletics has left me fascinated with all types of action. The environment into which I was born, the Canadian
prairies, is cold for six months of the year and has given me a love of winter, both its shining beauty and its
starkness. My brothers were great hockey players and they became my heroes and showed me the power, speed and grace of
the game - a game that at its best teaches courage and selflessness.
My painting is from the school of impressionism. I love colour and the dynamics of colour. I usually start on a canvas
or hardboard panel with a colour primer. I usually have a scene in mind, either from memory or from the landscape of
the local area. I sketch the composition with a light charcoal line drawing, which is later lost as the paint builds
up. I use strokes or dots of colour that are close in tone and vibrate against each other (yellow beside blue, green
beside purple). Because of the snowy landscape, I am always trying to capture the incredible moods of light and shadow
on snow and the sparkle of the colours of children at play.
Collections
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Commissions
| 1993 | Calgary Flames Hockey Team |
| 1981 | Calgary Olympic Development Association |
| 1975 - 1976 | Canada Council |
Credits
| 2008 | Banff Crag and Canyon |
| 2008 | Galleries West |
| 2008 | Rocky Mountain Outlook |
Exhibitions
| 2008 |
A Day in the Life of the Moccasin Goalie Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB |
| 2007 |
Solo Exhibition & Book Launch for Tracking the Iron Horse Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB |
| 2007 |
Hockey Time Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB |
| 2005 |
Joy Exhibition Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB |
| 2002 |
"Victory at Paradise Hill" Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB |
| 2001 |
Fun Times Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB |
| Alberta Society of Artists | |
| The Ontario Society of Artists | |
| The Burnaby Print Show | |
| The Young Contemporaries of Canada | |
| The Red River Exhibition | |
| The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, Calgary, AB | |
| The National Museum of Science & Technology, Ottawa, ON | |
| The Glenbow Museum, Calgary, AB |
Publications
| 2007 | Tracking the Iron Horse |
| 2002 | Victory at Paradise Hill |
| 1997 | The Final Game |
| 1995 | The Moccasin Goalie |
