Artist/designer Lazarus Ioannou is BrucePeninsula's freshest artist-in-residence who promises paintings  and mixed-media sculptures worth discovering.

Lazarus was drawn to the rich artistic and cultural heritage Bruce-GreyCountyhas to offer. He has recently uprooted his life in Torontoto replant a permanent home for his Fine Art creations as well as Design/Advertising on a freelance basis. Laz has been a creative soul since childhood, but his portfolio grew after receiving a handful of scholarships and awards from the esteemed Ontario College of Art - sparking a 13 year career in Canada's advertising industry as an Art Director and Associate Creative Director.  Conceiving and producing countless multimedia creative communication campaigns for national and international clients, Laz gained a rich experience in this commercial creative field and has been recognized for his contribution with several industry awards over the years.

Now focusing on his roots as a painter/sculptor/visual artist, his work reflects his new surroundings as much as his past experiences. The textural landscape of the Bruce's flora and fauna provide much of his inspiration now, in artwork Laz describes as "a mosaic of modern, traditional, impressionist, and graphic elements that work together in a unique way to express the way we perceive and experience the natural world around us".

Working mostly in acrylic paint on wood panel and mixed media sculptural elements, his pieces range from a wood saw seemingly 'carved' from wood to a four-by-two foot painted interpretation of a bird's nest, as well as past reflections of a more urban experience. Some can be seen displayed in corporate and private collections.

Laz's artistic influences range from Canada's Group of Seven, to Greek/Byzantine Iconic art, and early 20th century European and Russian Avant-Garde painters, mixed in with his commercial graphic design experience and personal style to create a truly unique visual expression. A seamless textural weaving using an 'earthy' palette of colours that create simple-yet-complex stylized visions of the way earth, water, people, and animals co-exist.

Laz’s debut of paintings in the local art scene garnered him the 2008 Feast for the Eyes "Visionary Award" at the SouthamptonArtGallery, as well as several articles and accolades. Lazarus hopes to continue to amaze, surprise and inspire people with his ever-evolving imagination, creativity, and expression.