Meet the Artists
The artists are participating members of Necessary Arts Collective. Each member utilizes the space for their own practice.
Read about each artist to learn more!
want to become a member?
NICK CLARK
Co-Working Member
Nick Clark is a Guelph based artist who has been making buttons since 2015. Nick is influenced by pop culture and loud music, and in his spare time enjoys camping and drinking beer. You may also know him from the Punk Rock Flea Market he organizes.
Follow Nick's work on:
Instagram @pressedbynick
LINDA CLAY
Annual Member
Linda Clay always enjoys combining her love of art, gardening and travel with creating paintings that represent some of the beautiful places and flora that have given her joy. She works in acrylics on canvases of many sizes to produce work for herself and for others. She is especially fond of doing commissions that feature gardens seen or created by clients.
Contact Linda at:
519 823 5464 / 226 337 5464
TRISTAN CROCKER
Co-Working Member
Tristan Crocker is an artist and illustrator working primarily in watercolor and ink. He is currently working on an illustrated book, his first, and also dabbles in editorial cartooning.
ELSKE DE GROOT
Full Studio Member
Elske de Groot is a full-time, mixed media artist and instructor recently returned to Ontario after a 3-year stint in St Augustine, Florida where she sells her work at Aviles Gallery. She works with the mediums of encaustics and photography. Elske is excited to be part of the collaborative studio at Necessary Arts where the artistic spirit is strong.
Follow Elske's work on:
Instagram: @elskes_encaustics
CHANEL DESROCHES
Studio Owner
Chanel works in the moment. Surrendering feelings onto a surface is her way of suggesting that there is a personal narrative behind all of the vibrant, lively lines and colour. She represents time through change; the evolution of varying colour waves, sporadic mark marking, and the constant struggle of trying to reveal the contrasting moments amongst the haziness. The first impression of passion and energy then carefully wanders to afterthoughts of suppression and distraction. Chanel approaches the story behind her work from a mental health perspective; the paintings are anxious internal battles. Chanel transfers her minds thinking process and train of thought onto something that we can see and talk about.
Chanel holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Studio Art from the School of Fine Art & Music at the University of Guelph (2019) - studying painting, drawing, and printmaking under the teachings of highly experienced Guelph and Toronto based professors and artists. Chanel is now an MFA candidate at York University, starting in September 2022.
www.chaneldesroches.com | Instagram: @chaneldesrochesart
ZOE DOUGHERTY
Full Studio Member
Zoe is a Studio Art major at the University of Guelph, and is from St. Catherines, ON. Previously a caricature artist who worked mostly with ink, she took up oil painting and practices portraiture with her previous caricature experience and tries to get familiar with as many mediums as possible. She takes inspiration from the works of Egon Schiele, the Romanticism era of fine art, and the films "M", "Pink Floyd's The Wall", and movies directed by Richard Williams.
Instagram: @zozodougherty
DAVID GRAHAM
Co-Working Member
Bio coming soon.
NANCY MACNABB
Full Studio Member
"I have two sides. I have a cognitive/analytical side that found great excitement, wonder, and satisfaction with science and problem-solving, leading me to three science-based university degrees and a 25 year career in medicine, working as a family doctor mostly in small towns in Ontario, Canada. But I also have an emotional/intuitive side that has always loved the arts. In 2014, when I rediscovered painting, it had been almost 40 years since I had tried anything really artistic. Painting began in a therapeutic fashion to deal with stress, but it exploded into a passion. I retired from medicine in 2018 and choose now to pursue what is my true joy, abstract and contemporary painting."
www.nancymacnabb.com | Instagram: @nancymacnabb
DANA MCCOOL
Full Studio Member
Dana McCool is an interdisciplinary artist, designer, writer, human rights activist and anarchist. Using symbolism, colour harmonies and universal archetypes, her visual work opens gateways into the phenomenal dimensions of Self, Other, Spirit and The Unknown. With a background in sociology, religious studies and philosophy, she is interested in contemplations that lead to revelations about the expansive core of our trans-personal human condition.
AMBER OZOLS
Co-Working Member
Amber Ozols was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. She studied Studio Art at Concordia University and Sheridan College for Illustration. Her work ranges from traditional oil and acrylic painting, digital design work, hand lettering, and commercial labels. Amber's portfolio has been influenced by athletics, science, infuriating societal norms, and a love of bright colours. She has a stationery line as well, Homebody Stationery, which offers introvert-friendly greeting cards and self-care items
Follow Amber's work on:
Instagram @amberozolsart
Instagram @homebodypaper
EVARISTO RAMOS
Full Studio Member
Evaristo Ramos also known as Roo was born and raised in the wilds of Texas.
Roo has traveled around the world in his quest for more digital knowledge and how it can be used in its many forms.
Roo loves to make protypes or one of a kind items using 3D printing, laser cutting / engraving, and CNC machining.
JESSICA SPOONER
Full Studio Member
Bio coming soon.
