About Theresa

A Canadian artist in Kelowna, BC.

You know that feeling of being refreshed after spending time in nature… of pure calm and balance from being present in it?

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

By slowing down and observing our surroundings, details like a pine tree’s layered branches or the curled petals of a sunflower past bloom, can be surprisingly striking.

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

And they may 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.

My parents drove me every Sunday to the artist’s home on an acreage outside our prairie town.

I was in awe at the large room she had to create and teach art. It 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 studio.

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 throughout my teens. At twenty, after a year studying everything but art at college, I decided it was time to apply to art school.

It gave me butterflies to even think about. This was something I’d always wanted and it meant so much. But unfortunately all I got was rejection letters.

My will to make art stayed strong though. I had never been so sure of anything in my life. I knew I was an artist, I had always known it. The need to create was real.

As things moved on, I worked and went back to college. After long days I’d fit in late-night art sessions in my bedroom hidden away from roommates.

I was a closet artist, but eventually that would change…

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-making practice remained part-time because of the pressure to have a secure job. I completed my training in digital design and worked as a graphic designer for close to 15 years.

During this time, my artist calling never faded.

In fact it weighed heavily in the background, especially as work increased and there was little time to make art.

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

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

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.

Every day the beauty of this region brings so much inspiration – something I’m happy to share with you through each new piece that emerges from my easel.

~ Theresa