Alberta based artist, Stacey MacMillan is a representational painter with an art focused on animals. Growing up she was surrounded by art and craft by her parents. Her art training began in 1995, studying abstract and figurative sculpture at the University of Alberta. There she found a great art community and took part in art exhibitions throughout Edmonton, Alberta. After stepping away from her practice for several years to raise her children, she returned to the studio with a renewed creative vision focusing on painting, and more specifically, on capturing the charm and personality of animals through a playful and expressive lens.

Working primarily in oil and acrylics, Stacey’s work is characterized by its vibrant colour palettes, imaginative compositions, and a distinctly lighthearted tone. Her goal is to create artwork that brings joy, curiosity, and make people smile.

Her creative influences include all things outside including architecture, design, nostalgic cartoons. Each painting is both a visual escape and an invitation to view animals and life with a sense of wonder.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I grew up in a family where creativity was part of everyday life. My parents were always making something, whether it was painting, photography, sewing, crafts, or design. I spent my childhood creating and eventually studied art at the University of Alberta.

Life got busy for a while. Marriage, kids, work, and responsibilities pushed art into the background for years. But after my parents passed away I found myself returning to art. In a lot of ways, painting is how I stay connected to what they gave me. I’ve learned that making art is part of who I am. It’s one of the few things that brings me both joy and challenge at the same time. Every new piece starts with a blank surface and an idea that doesn’t fully exist yet. The process of figuring it out, solving problems, taking risks, and creating something new is what keeps me coming back.

Today, my artwork is both a celebration of the natural world and a tribute to the creative spirit my parents passed on to me. I believe art deserves a place in everyday life—not as a hobby tucked away in spare moments, but as something meaningful that connects us all. Life can be heavy. My artwork isn’t. I create lighthearted artwork because I believe there is real value in joy, humour, and not taking ourselves too seriously. If one of my paintings makes someone smile every time they walk past it, that’s success to me.