birgieartwerkz47

About the Artist Birgie (Platz Stoll Ludlow) “I've loved doing art all my life, from the time I was a child. It's the doing that always makes me feel better when I feel blue. Hopefully my work will inspire others to try their hand at being creative for their own fulfillment. “ Birgie I was born in Flensburg, Germany as Birgit Platz in June 1947 immigrating to Canada in 1952 with my parents Johannes and Karin Platz and young brother Helmut. In 1965 while still a student at Ancaster High & Vocational School years) I was also enrolled in a correspondence course with Art Instruction Schools. It was this course that gave me the drive to perhaps pursue a career in the commercial art field. There were so many possible avenues to travel. My three dreams were Fashion Designer , Greeting Card Artist or perhaps even a Children’s Art Teacher. In the spring of 1966 while still in grade 12, I decided to find a way to fulfill my dreams. My first interview was with a well known Burlington Fine Artist - George Barbu, owner of then Hamilton Silk Screen. George sent me home with a roll of newsprint and 2 black grease pencils with the words "practise, come back when you have picked your twelve best pieces , matted and ready to show" My mother sewed me a zippered portfolio case out of brown and white abstract African like fabric. It was unique and different. With this new portfolio I was proud of my work ready to get out there and knock on doors, selling myself and my work, daring to be different. My next interview was with Frank Panabaker a local Ancaster resident, a friend of the Group of Seven. He assessed my work feeling it was worthwhile for me to pursue a career in commercial art, feeling that the apprenticeship route is sometimes a better less costly road than that of fulltime post secondary art school. Both George & Frank were well respected fine artists, to this day I am grateful for their time and advise back in 1966 while I was still in high school.