Original Art Piece

Snow Bear
24” x 24”

Acrylic on cradled wood board, wired, framed and ready to hang.

This painting has been in the works for the past few months, and been on my mind for the past couple years. I’ve actually attempted painting this bear 3 times now, and I’m FINALLY happy with the result.

I LOVED painting the falling snow. That was something new for me- to be able to paint depth into the falling snow with some flakes out of focus. His fur, as with every bear I’ve painted, was the most challenging- even after painting him twice before. I’ve been working hard on figuring out my layering process with glazes and so many different kinds of layers. I learned so much and figured out a lot of strategy and colour-mixes that create the depth of fur I’m looking for. I hope you like him!

I am a self-taught Canadian wildlife artist based in Calgary, AB. I have no credentials: (no art school or professional classes). I am super unqualified to be an artist in any capacity. Here’s a bit about how I got here:

It wasn’t until I became gravely ill with postpartum depression after the birth of my third child that I found myself trying water color painting as a form of therapy. I began painting because I HAD to, and: It worked. Without trying to make anything particularly wonderful I was free to create and all of a sudden I was SET free… Painting was the only time that my brain would rest, therefore art became an essential part of healing my brain. You could argue that art saved my life-- I was truly very ill. If I hadn’t needed art to save my brain I don’t know if I ever would have discovered the talent l have been given!

As I explored different mediums, I moved into acrylic landscape painting and oil Impressionism and I landed in the world of soft pastels and acrylic wildlife painting. I was mesmerized with the depth of color I could create in blending pastel pencil colors together. I had painted many animals in water color, but as I attempted animals in pastel there was a moment where I sat back in my chair and found myself staring into the eye of a creature that seemed to have come to life on my paper! I was hooked. Creating lifelike animals has been my focus ever since!

I live in Calgary Alberta, Canada where I was born and raised with my husband of over 16 years and our 3 adorable kiddos. I am a wife and a mom first and I have cherished the privilege of getting to stay home raising my kids while I now pursue my full time artist career. I love getting outside, and summer days at the beach. I love late night fires with neighbors and games nights with friends.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I am passionate about painting wild animals and communicating something words cannot express through my work. I aim to create art that draws you in, holds your attention and speaks to your soul.