Simon Aitchison – interdisciplinary visual artist based in Calgary Alberta, inspired by metaphysics, nature, music and dream like states. His artistic practice is centered on a lifelong passion for oil painting, a medium he has explored since 1998. Simon was active in Calgary’s art scene throughout the 2000s, as a member of artist collectives and societies, and co-founder of the Vanishing Point Art Gallery. During this time, his work was also featured in the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) Travelling Exhibition program (TREX) Mainly Masks, which toured the province’s southwest region for three years. After a twelve-year semi-hiatus dedicated to family and career, he returned to the easel in 2022 with renewed focus. His current body of work, the Stone Series, marks a return to his roots in oil painting. Highly inspired to paint from an unknown source within, the paintings produced are reflections of deep introspection and contemplative thoughts combined with the action of painting. Simon’s current work is best described as Abstract Expressionism, Abstract Realism and Surrealism. Today, he works from his studio at Artpoint Gallery and Studios Society, balancing his entrepreneurial life with his creative drive, he currently exhibits locally and opens his studio for annual events such as East Side Studio Crawl.