Get to know Desiree Burford

Desiree was born and raised in the prairies of Canada. She told stories of riding her pony and looking at the northern lights. She loved to paint flowers and colorful abstracts.
She painted in Edmonton, Costa Rica, Hawaii and had been inspired by travels to Europe and Thailand. She first started painting in the l950's in all mediums starting in oils and progressing through acrylics and to watercolors and inks. She loves to let her mind wander to imaginary lanscapes of her mind. Desiree studied with Shadbolt, Tonacouer and Leroy Stephanson. She felt her inspiraton was within herself and always had lots of ideas. Ideas were always around.
The paintings always evolved and developed, sometimes they took a few hours, sometimes a few days and sometimes a few years. She showed her paintings in solo and group shows and was a life member of the Alberta Society of Artists, and Chairperson in 1985 of the Federation of Canadian Artists.
In the 1970's Desiree wrote and produced 62 1/2 hour shows on antiques for CFRN in Edmonton. She also produced " 100 Years of Fashion"
Her paintings have been loved by many. She donated many to the Cross Cancer Clinic which fill the walls. She feels many illnesses can be overcome by a good mental attitude. She was a great living example of this philosophy as she lived 15 years after being diagnosed with liver cancer. When she painted with colors she felt better. Her strong determination and stamina was an inpiration for many people.
Her advice for the children was: "Find out what you like and look at it carefully. There are so many forms or art and periods, from the old masters to modern art. Look at the colors and shapes and find your own inspiration."

Woodstream gallery studio has some of Desiree's work