Gerrit V. L. Verstraete
mentor and teacher in art, spirituality, and story, for over 40 years
Gerrit Verstraete is an artist, author, spiritual mentor, and storyteller. He is an honours graduate of the Ontario College of Art (1964-1968, now OCAD University). He is founder of the Drawing Society of Canada, and the Canadian Academy of Drawing online. He also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Thompson Rivers University.
He completed a Master of Arts in Communication and Technology degree at the University of Alberta, and he holds a Master of Theology degree from St. Stephen’s College / University of Alberta, as well as a Doctor of Creative Arts degree at CLU, Christian Leadership University, USA.
His artistic and professional journey spans over 50 years. He was born in the Netherlands in 1945, and immigrated to Canada in 1958. He and his wife Alice live on Gabriola Island, on the Pacific Northwest coast of British Columbia. There he draws and writes in his Masterpeace Fine Art Studio, as well as being co-pastor alongside his wife in the island’s Church On The Rock, and a founding director of The Hope Centre, a family resource centre and childcare facility on Gabriola Island.
His latest books include: “John Gould: Just Me and the Paper” (an authorized biography) and “Where Lovers Die” (a novel). All books are available on Amazon. His latest art is an extensive series of drawings to illustrate two epics of prophetic imagination in the naturalist tradition, not drawn in the studio but among real people in real time in a local coffeeshop.
In 2020, he released "The Quest: A Pilgrim Story," an illustrated novel about his own spiritual journey inspired by the epic poems of Cerulean, the long distance voyager, which he wrote in 14 volumes from 2004 to 2012.
"I have always had a passion to teach and tell stories. When in 1981, I was 'called' to make this my life's journey, I have taught seminars and workshops, and mentored others through correspondence and classes. I have preached many sermons, told many stories, and taught in Canada, US, Africa, and Mexico, and through distance education in the Philippines, India, and New Zealand. I taught classical drawing online for over fifteen years in many countries. Now in my mid-seventies, I am still passionate to teach and tell stories from these my 'wisdom years', and to illustrate them."
Contact the author at: gerritverstraete-at-hotmail.com