Mike Grandmaison

Looking back to my childhood, I have always had an affinity for the ‘natural world’. Coming from a land ravaged by mining, lumbering, and forest fires, I understood very early the need to preserve our natural heritage. While Canada has always been blessed with a healthy environment and varied wildlife, it also faces a growing loss of habitat and species. We must not only acknowledge this fact but act now to preserve what we still can. We owe it to our children to leave this world in a better state than it is now. And we must be vigilant about this.

I feel very fortunate to have been born in Canada, as I firmly believe that I live in the best country in the world—bar none. What I love most about this country is its sheer beauty and diversity; Canada’s vastness truly boggles the mind. Photography has allowed me to explore the subtleties of the natural world in a way that complements the academic knowledge I gathered during my formative years. By walking a little slower, waiting a little longer, looking a little closer or deeper, I have been rewarded with the discovery of so many nuances of color, line, form, texture, and pattern that can be so easily missed. Photography is the vehicle through which I was able to discover this great country. As a result of looking through my camera’s viewfinder, I have become much more aware of my surroundings. Photography has literally heightened my ability to see and feel.

My lifelong commitment involves the constant search for evocative images that reflect the beauty and essence of this great land, images that speak to the heart. I am always seeking that often-fleeting but eloquent light that bathes our glorious landscape; the quiet, contemplative, intimate views of a road less traveled; the fascinating patterns of nature’s myriad and minute details; the unexpected appearance of one of nature’s elusive and secretive creatures. What often triggers my memory of a place has to do with the senses; other times, it might be the way the light gently caresses the edge of a tree, or hearing the haunting cry of a loon.

While I often seek and wait for the “sweet light”—that time of day in the morning and evening around the rising and setting of the sun when the light is warm and inviting—I photograph frequently during other times of the day too. By keeping an open mind, I find that I am able to continually discover creative opportunities nearly anywhere I may find myself. For me, enjoying the outdoor experience is as important as creating the image. A photograph can never replace the experience of photographing or of actually experiencing the moment. Yet while the memory may fail, the photograph will be a constant reminder of a moment in time, an experience cherished.

As more people migrate to the cities, fewer people experience the natural environment. As a species, we are less and less connected to the natural world – our land, our skies, our water, our forests and our creatures. Our existence on this earth represents but a fraction of the earth’s existence, including that of many of its other inhabitants. Yet, we make decisions daily that are threatening the planet’s health and even its survival. While the plight of the human condition deserves our attention, the devotion to our natural environment is no less noble. Not only is our own health dependent upon a healthy planet but so is that of all the other species; we have been taking this for granted for much too long.

As an artist, my focus in photography is to capture the beauty of this great country and to share it with others to remind us all of the importance that a healthy environment brings to the richness in our lives.

Hon. BSc in Biology

Received a 2015 PIA Certificate of Merit in the category 'Art Books' in the 2015 Premier Print Award Competition for ‘Mike Grandmaison’s Ontario.
Nominated for two 2013 Manitoba Book Awards for ‘Mike Grandmaison’s Prairie and Beyond’ for ‘Best Illustrated Book of the Year’ and the ‘Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher’.
Received a 2012 PIA Certificate of Merit in the category 'Art Books' in the 2012 Premier Print Award Competition for ‘Prairie and Beyond’
Received an ‘Honourary Membership’ (Hon FCAPA) for Recognition of Distinguished Contribution to the Association (Canadian Association for Photographic Art). Aug. 31, 2012.
Received a ‘Certificate of Photographic Achievement’ for Recognition of Photographic Contribution to the Association (Canadian Association for Photographic Art) for service as Past President. August 31, 2012.
‘Honorary Patron’ of the Friends of Lake Laurentian. Sudbury, Ontario. 2012.
6th International Photography Awards. 2011. B&W Spider Awards. Nominee for 'Herbert Lake' and 'Prairie Dock'.
Color Magazine. 2011. Most successful, multiple winner in photography competition.
Friesens 2011. Featured artist in the prestigious Friesens 2011 Corporate calendar.
Won Printing Industries of America (PIA) Award of Recognition as top of its class.
Northern Lights Awards for Excellence in Photography (runner-up for Photojournalism). 2008.
'Jasper by Starlight' for Canadian Geographic.
Photographed the Cangene Executive Offices (Winnipeg, MB) for which LM Architectural Group received a 2005 Prairie Design Awards of Merit.
Photographed for a brochure for the native lodge at Buffalo Point for which McKim Communications received an award.
Fuji Masterpiece Award for Commercial Photography. 2002
Nature's Best International Photography Competition - Highly Honored. 2004-03-02-01.
Accreditation in "Stock" and "Nature" from the Professional Photographers of Canada.

WORKSHOPS (SELECT)

‘Riding Mountain Photographic Workshops’. Manitoba. 3 days. June 20-22 , 2014
‘Latow Photographers Guild’ in Burlington, Ontario. 1 day. April, 2013
'Niagara School of Imaging' - 6 days. St. Catharines, Ontario 2011, 2010
Focus on the Rockies’. Jasper, Alberta. 3 days. 2008, 2007

SEMINARS (SELECT)

Frame by Frame Photo Forum. Regina, Saskatchewan. 2014, 2012
Latow Photographers Guild. Burlington, Ontario. 2013
Abbotsford Photo Arts Club. British Columbia, 2005
Mike has lectured on various aspects of photography to a multitude of organizations across Canada over the last 30 years.

Solo Exhibition. ‘Natural Reflections’. Grolle Fine Art. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Oct. 2015
Solo Exhibition. ‘Natural Reflections’. ‘Tangled Tree’. Kenora Ontario. October 11 to November 9, 2013.
Solo Exhibitions of ‘Prairie and Beyond’. Two separate exhibitions of 12 and 26 prints respectively are travelling to dozens of communities in Manitoba over a 2-year period from September 2012 to December 2014. Collaboration with The Manitoba Arts Network.
Solo Exhibition at Pixels 2.1 Photography Gallery. Winnipeg, Manitoba. September 2012. Large exhibition of landscape and nature photography.
Solo Exhibition at ‘Small Works Gallery’. McNally Booksellers. Winnipeg, Manitoba.
May 2012. 10-20 works to coincide with book launch of ‘Mike Grandmaison’s Prairie and Beyond’.
Solo Exhibition at ‘The Canadian Gallery’. Winnipeg, Manitoba. March 2011 to September 2013. Featured more than 45 photographs of Canadian landscapes and nature.
Group Exhibition at Pixels 2.1 Gallery. Winnipeg, Manitoba. June 2011.
'Twelve Manitoba Photographers'. Displayed 6 pieces.
A Passion for Canada. A selection of 15 photographs. The Lab Works. April 28, 2005.
Group Exhibition at Camera Canada College ‘96. National Association of Photographic Art. Winnipeg. 1996.
Group Exhibition with Nature Photo Group. Winnipeg. 1991 & 1994.
Group Exhibition with Images Alberta Camera Club. Edmonton. 1983.
Solo Exhibition entitled “Subtle Images” at John Janzen Nature Centre. Edmonton. 1983.
Solo Exhibition entitled “Subtle Images” at Edmonton Public Library Gallery. Edmonton. 1982.

Freeman Patterson
Brett Weston
Ernst Haas
Franco Fontana

canada, photographer, nature, landscape, fine art