Born and raised in Golden, B.C., Zoe Angus (nee Simard), age 25, is a painter, entrepreneur, and mother who sees the world through a trained artist’s eye. In her journey she has had many mentors and artistic goals. Through her business, “Zoe’s Colour Cove”, she shares what she has learned in her journey as a painter with children ages five and up and encourages everyone to believe in themselves, she says, “everyone can paint if they want to.”
“I wasn’t born with a natural talent. I discovered the enjoyment of the process and kept doing it because I enjoyed it,” Zoe says. Inspired by Janis Dyck and Joni Young, Zoe says it’s her mentors and her mother, business owner, Isabelle Simard, who have helped her in her 13-year journey to call herself a professional artist and become a successful young entrepreneur’.
Through Joni, Zoe learned how to use paint brushes and the importance of blending. Through admiring Joni’s realistic and hyper-realistic work and the lessons Joni taught her, Zoe says she learned, ‘a little effort’ goes a long way when it comes to taking the time to learn something you enjoy.
“It’s insane how effortless Joni is when she paints. I found myself comparing myself to her and feeling like I wasn’t good enough because I couldn’t paint like her,” Zoe says with some humour, adding, “she propelled me in my learning. She really helped me.”
After attending a mini-art curriculum with Janis Dyck at age 14 while studying at the Golden Alternate School, Zoe created a painting she calls her “gate-way” painting to painting more.
“It’s a giant painting that’s in my Mom’s office at her work. The experience inspired me to buy my own supplies and start painting more at home,” she says.
Zoe says what she learned from Joni and Janis helped her in her journey to fulfill her goal to paint more realistic paintings and Janis taught her about perspective and depth when painting.
“I learned about shadows and depth and shading. It’s hard to look at things the same once you start seeing the world through that perspective. I started getting manic with it,” Zoe says, adding, “passion and practise is everything. I mean it!”
Zoe achieved her dream of painting “realism” while at the Golden and District Hospital receiving treatment for low iron during her second pregnancy. She says she completed 13 paintings during her treatment and spent 10-hours on a painting of a classic train from CP Rail. Additionally, she painted various scenes found in the local area, including the Sky Bridge and used photography for her inspiration.
“I stopped comparing myself to other artists and accepting myself. I’m proud of my talent to be able to paint photographs,” Zoe says. She says she enjoys being able to paint realistic paintings and alter the reality of a place through painting when she feels like it.
“I love it,” she says. Adding neon green to alter the reality a little bit. She says it makes the process “fun”.
“You’re not born into the world knowing how to use a ‘filbert’ brush. Following instructions and practise helps,” Zoe says.
Zoe started teaching children at age 16 and in schools at age 20 and opened her business, “Zoe’s Colour Cove” at age 24.
“Finding love for art has given my life direction,” Zoe says. She doesn’t describe herself as “naturally talented” but emphasises that having skilled teachers show her how to paint through the proper use of techniques helped her become the artist and teacher she is today. She says she “loves” witnessing her lessons “click” in her students and seeing her students begin to believe in themselves.
“When it clicks there’s inspiration everywhere. It’s really fun,” she says.
Zoe works as an Office Manager and Tax Preparer for her mom’s business, “Numbers and Letters” in Golden, B.C.
Zoe is a mother to two children – Percival, age 3 and Anakin, age 1. Zoe says her mom is a “huge influence” for her.
“She really showed me there is no excuses. If a single mom of two can build the life and business she did, so can I,” Zoe says. Numbers and Letters is located at 1115 9th St. S. in Golden, B.C. Isabelle opened the business over 26 years ago. Zoe runs her workshop space for groups in the same building.
Zoe teaches art to people of all ages through “Zoe’s Colour Cove”. She offers weekly and private paint classes. She sells her prints and paintings online and at local venues in town, including the Golden Artisans Co-op (GAC), a membership driven store she took the lead in starting in 2023 located at 828 10th Avenue South, Golden, B.C. The GAC offers a variety of unique artistic work created by artists from Golden, B.C., and the surrounding area.
For more information about Zoe, to purchase a print or to book your next paint party check out www. zoescolourcove.com
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