Born in Toronto, Canada in 1954, Peri-Laine's first formal art lessons were from a neighbor. It was through those early art sessions, and practicing gesture and contour drawings, that she began to develop an interest in furthering her artistic skills. After graduating from high school, Peri-Laine went on to study art in Mexico at the Universidad de Las Americas where she was influenced by the rich and colorful culture of rural Mexico. She finished her Batchelor of Arts as an art major at the University of California Berkley in 1976. Peri-Laine then completed her teacher education and certification through the University of British Colombia. She has also completed a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in arts education at Simon Fraser University and several courses in elementary education at the University of Washington.
Peri-Laine has been teaching in the public school system since 1980. She currently teaches elementary school in Surrey, BC and is a member of the BC Art Teachers Association. As an art specialist, she has taught art to children and adults alike in both the public and private sectors. Peri-Laine has presented art workshops for teachers at BCATA conferences, and in the Surrey School District for Professional Development Days. She teaches classes for adults through the Continuing Ed. program at New Westminster Secondary. She also enjoys doing workshops privately for small groups in their homes upon special arrangement.
With a busy schedule as a full time teacher, wife, and mother, it is a challenge for Peri-Laine to find the time to work at developing her artistic pursuits. In 2003, she began doing pen and ink drawings of local heritage homes for the New Westminster Heritage Society as part of their annual home tour. Her drawings were received well, and she subsequently began doing commissioned work for home owners in the community. Peri-Laine continues to participate in workshops and to work at developing her own skills as an artist. Although most of her early paintings were in acrylics, she now focuses on watercolors, which she finds challenging, but rewarding.
Contact Information
Personal email:
peri-lainenilan @ shaw.ca
Phone: (604) 524-4472
For more information, or to book a workshop, contact the artist at Erma
Stevenson Elementary School, Surrey, BC.
Phone: (604) 583-5419
Email: nilan_p
@ sd36.bc.ca