About Theresa

A Canadian artist in Kelowna, BC.

Do you know that feeling of being refreshed after spending time in nature… of that pure calm & balance?

That’s where much of my inspiration comes from to paint…
a deep love for nature and the land.

By slowing down and observing the surroundings, details like a pine tree’s layered branches or the curled petals of a sunflower past bloom, catch my eye with their character.

There’s beauty in these not-so-obvious moments that can leave lasting imprints, spurring contemplation and creativity (for anyone, not just an artist).

They remind us of how important the simplicity of nature is to consistently weave into our life.

Now imagine those nature moments expressed in playful colour and expressive brushstrokes, and magic begins to happen.

I paint the Western Canadian landscape & things that grow and thrive off the land to bring you a feeling of being there.

British Columbia is a never-ending source of inspiration.

I immediately fell in love with the Okanagan Valley after moving from Saskatchewan in my teens. It’s a place where incredible views are the norm. Between the hilly mountains, beautiful plants, sweeping valley and lake, there is always something great to paint.

Ponderosa Pines especially captivate me with their tall and tilted stance, and the sweet smell of summer like no other.

Many of the photos that I paint from, are taken while wandering nearby trails. I bring them back to the studio and infuse with color to reflect the feeling of a place.

My greatest joy in making art comes from transporting you to experience the natural world in a new and exciting way.

My work can be found in private collections across Canada and the US.

To stay in touch & receive updates about newly released paintings,
become part of my insiders circle.

From then to now…

As a child I spent countless hours at the kitchen table drawing, colouring and paint-by-numbering until the table was needed for dinner.

Being creative was where I felt most relaxed and at home.

My first foray into painting came at twelve years old with a rare opportunity to take a 6-week course with a local artist.

It was at her home on an acreage outside our prairie town.

I was in awe at the large room she had to create and teach art. Her studio was at the back of the house with exposed log beams, vaulted ceilings and a big wall of windows that brought the natural prairie landscape into the space.

This is where I began to discover the magic of paint… its creamy consistency, delighting in new colors as they were mixed.

It’s where I created my first self portrait and my first abstract painting. This memorable class forever left its mark.

The possibilities seemed endless and that was truly exciting.

The spark continued as I painted and drew while growing up. And then at twenty, I got brave and applied to art school.

Unfortunately I wasn’t accepted, which led me to become a closet artist.

I didn’t stop creating because I loved art and had always felt a deep purpose and longing to express myself in this way.

And eventually my hidden art would emerge…

By my mid-twenties I began selling paintings (early 2000’s) – it was eye-opening as I watched people approach my booth with joy and awe.

This brought a whole new realization to why I make art – creating that type of experience for people made my heart sing!

Still, my art practice remained a side gig as I pursued a “secure job”.

I completed my training in digital design and worked as a graphic designer for almost 15 years.

During this time, my artist calling never faded. In fact it eventually pushed me to make a change, as each year there was less time to make art.

In a bold move, I quit my day job to focus completely on art.

It’s been over 30 years since that pivotal painting class and am incredibly grateful to now be a full time artist.

I practice in my home studio just three blocks from the nearest hiking trail, in the heart of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

This region brings so much inspiration – something I love sharing with you through each new piece that emerges from my easel.

~ Theresa