Steve Fortier is a visual artist who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.  Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Fortier's artistic journey began with a specialized four-year art course in his hometown, followed by studies at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto.  This educational foundation laid the groundwork for a 35-year career in graphic design, during which he continued to paint in his spare time.

Now retired from graphic design, Fortier dedicates himself full-time to his artistic pursuits.  His work has evolved from high realism, exploring light, shape, and colour, to a unique style that blends his graphic design background with traditional painting techniques.  Fortier's current process involves deconstructing photographic subjects through digital pixelation, then reconstructing them on canvas, creating a commentary on our digital world and crowded urban landscapes.

Throughout his career, Fortier has participated in numerous exhibitions, both solo and group shows.  Notable exhibitions include "Exhibition 1010" at Ian Tan Gallery, "Free/Form" at Artworks Gallery, and various group shows at Artworks Gallery.  His fascination with overlooked details and natural subject matter often leads him to paint subjects much larger than life, emphasizing their intricate features.  Fortier's work continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of digital influence and traditional painting techniques.

After extensive exploration in various artistic styles, such as High Realism, I have immersed myself in Hard-Edge Geometric painting.  I am fascinated with the idea of Geometric Abstraction, which allows the interlocking of geometric patterns and the play of intense colour to tell its own story.  In a sense, I hand the experience of the painting back to the viewer, letting them contemplate the intricacies of the image and respond in ways unique to them.

I am interested in optical forms such as pixelation and abstraction.  To me, pixelation is the breakdown of elements into their solitary units and abstraction is a way of seeing the world.  Both these approaches can be seen in my recent work.  I would like the viewer to experience my paintings both emotionally and as a form of meditation, to see my reality but also to bring their own ideas.  But above all, I want to communicate the joy to be found in the colourful and orderly composition.