Kristen Federchuk | Wild Beauty: Portraits of Alberta'

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Kristen Federchuk, "Bow Lake," 2022

acrylic on canvas, 14" x 18". Courtesy of the Artist.

Opening Reception: November 4, from 5:30 -8:30 pm with an Artist Talk starting at 6:00 pm.

From the Rocky Mountains tothe rolling plains to the ever-changing skies, Alberta is truly a province of wild beauty. In this series, the portraits reflect the wildness of the Alberta landscape and highlights the diverse beauty that makes Alberta uniquely special. This series is a culmination of my love for the wild beauty of our province.

Artist Statement: In this series,"Wild Beauty: Portraits of Alberta", I am reflecting on the diverse beauty of the province I was born and raised in. I grew up in Edmonton and remember visiting my grandparents farm in Vilna when I was young. The pastoral scenes of haybales and farm fields remind me of the peacefulness of that area and time. My mom is an avid mountaineer and from as young as 6 years old we were out hiking all day in the Alberta Rockies.

My love for the beauty and adventure of the mountains in all seasons is reflected in these paintings. The images for this series came from a variety of sources: several from a close friend who is a professional photographer, others from some of my mom’s hiking companions. When composing these works, I first used the play of light and shadow to create large abstract shapes. These shapes are then brought to life through a series of fine and delicate detail work. It is the detailing that keeps me tied to a painting, the excitement of capturing the minute details that are missed at first glance and which continually provide something new to be found each day. It is my intent that the observer will feel as though they are within the painting as it is brought to life through these interactions and that it will awaken within them a sense of peacefulness, serenity, and refreshment.