A resident of Vancouver Island for the majority of my life, I have been inspired by its outstanding beauty. I love to observe the awesomeness of the natural world and the life that lives within it, wherever I may be. I strive to create the unique personalities and beauty I see in nature, and the world, into
my art and creations.

I’m an artist—painter and photographer—who loves capturing the beauty of nature: birds, trees, sky, water… and finding zen in the chaos. I use photography to tell stories that can never be repeated. I paint to express what’s not always visible. I’m always exploring new ways to create art that evokes emotion and connection.

With a passion for colour, imagery and pattern, I create textile art that blends quilting traditions with repurposed fabrics, crafting miniature landscapes and hand-stitched pouches that celebrate both artistry and sustainability. My free-form techniques involve recycling, layering, fusing, thread-painting, and embellishing.

I have been a practising Fabric Artist for over 30 years … a career that began in northwestern Ontario and has migrated slowly westward bringing me to Comox in 2019. Over the past few years I have been experimenting with 3D work and mixed media collage.

Jennell creates unique artwork from her home studio in Courtenay, blending two distinct techniques: encaustic painting and cyanotype photography. In her encaustic work, layers of wax, tree resin, and pigment are fused with heat to create durable, textured pieces. Her cyanotypes, exposed to sunlight or UV light, often become “wet cyanotypes,” enhanced with water, vinegar, and other materials to achieve rich, layered effects.

Marianne Enhörning is a West Coast Canadian artist whose Swedish heritage, deep family history, and years spent moving between wild coastlines and structured urban environments continue to shape her creative vision. Her background in architecture, alongside her lifelong intimacy with nature, informs a practice grounded in both precision and intuition.
Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, she integrates pastels, ink, oils, chalk, graphite and charcoal, embracing the freedom of exploration and the dynamic interplay between mediums. This interplay, creates evocative, dreamlike compositions that flow between three distinct yet interwoven realms: the figurative, the abstract, and the landscape. Each piece arises from a profound longing for a world marked by inclusivity, equality, and quiet generosity—a world rooted in simplicity and kindness.

Hi! My name is Natalie Evans. I am artist, living and working on my sailboat. My art reflects the beauty of this environment that surrounds us. I've always loved creating, and when I'm not painting, I enjoy drawing, practicing aerial silks, playing soccer, and most recently, roller skating. Thank you for supporting local artists like me.

Tresa moved to Comox in 2016 and discovered her passion for fused glass. Drawing on her background in various crafts, she creates vibrant pieces from hand-cut fusing glass, often incorporating murrini, dichroic glass, and mica. Each piece is carefully arranged and kiln-fired, sometimes multiple times. Tresa hopes her art brings as much joy to others as it does to her.

From Paris, France, Charley Farrero has worked as a ceramic artist since 1972. He studied Fine Arts in Regina, SK, and currently lives and works as an artist in Meacham, SK, and Courtenay, BC. “I am attracted by all ceramic processes. My sculptural ceramic pieces incorporate slip cast objects, hand-built additions, grout, ceramic frames and shards, commercial tiles and found objects. I did not adopt a school of thought or a trend. I had to invent one: my own voice."

Pam began painting after retiring and moving to Vancouver Island in 2012, fulfilling a promise to herself. Inspired by the island’s beauty, she finds joy and peace in creating art that stirs the imagination. Pam describes her style as “idea morphing,” focusing on evoking positive emotions rather than strict realism. Working with acrylics allows her to explore vibrant colors, playful textures, and whimsy in her work.

I am a self taught embroidery and textile artist, practicing the craft from my home studio since 2015. This lead me to a new career as a working artist, illustrator and graphic designer.

Almost everything I create is stitched by hand, which is a slow and grounding process. I try my best to use second hand, thrifted and upcycled materials as much as possible to keep sustainability in mind.

My artistic and design style has many influence. From classical hand drawn illustrations, botanical reference books, astronomy and anatomy charts, antique maps, tattoo flash and comic books name just a few. I blend this visual point of view with my love of textiles to create a modern version of an old practice.

Bonnie is a professional ceramic artist who divides her studio time between Courtenay, BC, and Saskatchewan. This year, she’s creating whimsical pins and brooches featuring crickets, bees, and salmon. Each piece carries her signature playful style, celebrating the quirks and charm of the natural world. Bonnie’s work invites a closer look, encouraging joy, curiosity, and a smile.

Hélène Goulet, a retired classroom and resource teacher, now focuses on her artwork, including Zentangle, alcohol ink painting, watercolour, and calligraphy. Recently, she has been exploring alcohol inks to create landscape paintings, semi-abstract floral designs on coasters, and a range of handmade jewelry, trinket dishes, bookmarks, and cards. This past year Helene started offering zentangle inspired classes at the Black Creek Community Centre.

Glenn produces a range of nature themed arts and crafts as part of the Sanctuary Craft Studio. You will find a bit of nature in everything he creates.

Karen is a lifelong artist and retired teacher with a background in graphic design and formal training from UBC and Emily Carr. A natural maker, she enjoys working across multiple media, from dyes on silk and batik techniques to jewelry, mobiles, and delicate dragonflies crafted from Japanese Mizuhiki cord.

Inspired by nature, gardening, and colour, Karen is especially drawn to silk for its luminous sheen and the element of surprise it brings. Painted while suspended, then steamed, rested, and rinsed, each silk piece emerges vibrant and one-of-a-kind. Her work celebrates the beauty and joy found in the natural world.

Originally from the Lower Mainland, I have been in Campbell River since in retiring in 2018. This move has enabled me the time to fully embrace my creativity and continue to develop my artistic voice. Since beginning my painting journey I have dedicated myself to learning new techniques, expanding my skillset, and creating art that brings joy, curiosity and connection others. I have primarily been working in abstract mixed media.

Jo is a retired nurse who is grateful every day for Island life and the opportunity to dabble in the arts and crafts.

Lynn is a Vancouver Island artist who works primarily in acrylics, drawing inspiration from the beauty and wonder of trees and the natural world.

I am an artist who has worked in many mediums, watercolour, acrylic, alcohol inks, collage and with fabrics, and yarns. I enjoy exhibiting my work especially at Christmas time.

Pam has been crafting Ponderosa Pine needles baskets for the past 4 years. Self taught, Pam prepares the needles by cleaning, dyeing and treating with vegetable glycerin prior to weaving.
Pam grew up and lives in Comox.

Brittany works across ceramics and fibre, combining hand-formed ceramics with weaving, crochet and textile manipulation. Her work explores the possibilities of combining traditional craft techniques in unconventional ways. Ceramic chains become woven structures, fired clay rods become frameworks for fibre, and irregular vessels incorporate textile elements directly into their forms. Her work is tactile, irregular and process-driven, with an appreciation for the surprises that happen when handmade materials are pushed into unfamiliar forms.

Sharon is an Exhibiting Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists whose paintings are shown across Canada and internationally. Her work is energized, expressive, and dynamic, inspired by the challenge of capturing light, movement, and life. Using collage, acrylic, and a variety of mark-making tools on wood panels, Sharon layers, sands, and scrapes to create richly textured pieces that reflect her unique perspective on the world.

I am a potter from Gold River and I work with my husband in our studio, Island Clayworks. My work is inspired by nature and I incorporate leaf designs and florals through a technique called sgrafitto. I also add assemblage to work such as shells or more florals/leaves. I feel like the clay surface is a blank canvas ready to receive whatever embellishments I want to add. My work varies as I have many finishes I like to use, so I don't get bored making the same thing all the time.

I am committed to using mostly reclaimed and locally sourced wood. I use various woods, and I make numerous products in my home workshop, ie, cutting boards, charcuterie boards, sushi boards, coasters, coat racks, Christmas decorations. Because I use reclaimed wood, the process is lengthy and each product is an original design, and completely handmade. Each kitchen piece is finished with food safe mineral oil and wax.

These small sculptures are inspired by the myriad colours, textures and other-worldly forms in the ocean, on the coral reefs and on the shoreline. They are a reminder to us all of what we stand to lose as our environment is degraded, disrespected and devalued. Ceramics is a wonderful medium to bring these ideas to life in a tactile and visceral form.

Marg is a fabric artist and instructor who has rediscovered her passion for weaving. She creates original tapestries on small looms, using a variety of yarns and embellishing each piece with recycled jewelry and trinkets, bringing unique character to her work.

Jahzel Misner is a Courtenay artist who imagines whimsical worlds and animals — on canvas and in wood. Her wooden toys are inspired by Waldorf principles: simple, natural, and designed to encourage open-ended play and imagination. Each piece is handmade from cherry, maple, or walnut, then finished with food-grade oils and wood-burned details.

Diane Naugler is a local printmaker and active member of the Comox Valley Printmakers' Association. A life-long sketcher and doodler, allows Diane to bring their sketches to life and to play with the balance between observation and imagination.

Kira Neumann is an acrylic artist from Black Creek, primarily using acrylic paint, foraged botanicals and other found objects to create unique monoprints that reflect the natural world.

With a recent move from the east to the island, the beauty of the west coast has inspired new work , creating from treasures collected from Forrest and beach walks.

Thom produces a range of stained glass and fused glass artworks that are based on a nature theme. He is inspired by the natural beauty found in the Comox Valley.

Barbara is a Canadian glassblower based on Vancouver Island, BC, who combines glass with water, light, and plants to create unique outdoor living spaces. Each piece is handcrafted to complement gardens, whether as a striking focal point or a subtle accent. Trained by master glass artisans at Pilchuck Glass School, Red Deer College, and Pratt Fine Arts Center, Barbara draws inspiration from nature and her love of gardening, often spending spare time with her dog tending to her own garden in Campbell River.

Susan is a photographer and painter who works in watercolour, acrylic, and encaustic. With a special love for whales, her work reflects a diverse range of influences and techniques. She aims to create pieces that will bring lasting enjoyment.

Nate Schmold is a Vancouver Island artist whose work turns a restless imagination into an invitation to play. Since 2012, he has drawn daily illustrations for his son’s lunch box -- a small act of connection that carries through his paintings, music, games and felted “Pet Mutants”. Working under his creative label 3030, he builds strange little worlds where humour and curiosity open the door to something deeper. His intent is to make whimsy and absurdity a form of constructive opposition to a culture of anxiety and negativity, creating opportunities for people to let their guard down, feel connected, surprised and a little more willing to follow their own weird ideas.

Karen received early training in Fine Arts in Ontario and the Comox Valley. After a long hiatus for family and a career in graphics, she has now retired and returned full-time to her painting. She uses her design skills and experimentation with mixed media materials to reflect both the whimsy of everyday life and her love of the natural world.

I am a retired Healthcare worker and now focus on my passion of wool felting. I've lived in the Valley since 1980 and raised my family here.

I do 2 techniques of wool felting; needle felting which is a process where barbed needles are used to form wool fibres into shapes and designs. The notched barbs on the needles mesh the wool fibers, causing them to interlock and form firm structures. The second is wet felting which is the more traditional method of creating felted wool by combining warm, soapy water and physical agitation to interlock the fibers. I create 2 dimensional flat art pieces.

Cara Leanne is drawn to bright, bold colour because it feels like joy made visible. Her artwork celebrates the small moments that brighten your day, inspired by blooming flowers, peaceful ocean views, hummingbirds, and even quirky chickens. Look closely and you’ll see her paintings are created with layers of acrylic paint and hand-painted, hand-torn collage. Cara is a mixed media artist form the Comox Valley.

Jim creates unique, lathe-turned wood ornaments and small functional and decorative pieces, crafted from ethically sourced wood. Each piece is made from trees removed only due to storm damage or construction, honoring the natural beauty of the wood and giving it new life. With care and precision, Jim transforms these salvaged materials into one-of-a-kind items, blending craftsmanship with environmental consciousness.

Ilene, a local artist behind ‘Some Antics,’ discovered her passion for glass fusing through community classes. Starting with small crucibles in a microwave, she developed her skills creating jewelry and art pieces. Her curiosity and love for experimenting led her to invest in a larger kiln, where she now crafts popular scenes inspired by coastal mountains, ocean, and flowers. Each new piece brings her joy and excitement, as she continues to explore the possibilities of glass fusing.

Maggie Ziegler is a Vancouver Island artist and designer working at the intersection of traditional and digital art. Her evolving creative practice is driven by curiosity, experimentation and a love of making art. Working from ARTWRX Studio + Gallery in Courtenay, she creates original mixed-media artwork, fine art prints and Create Everyday, a collection of cards and creative tools designed to encourage creativity as part of everyday life. Maggie is also the owner of Burkholme Printing, a boutique fine art printing studio serving artists and photographers in the Comox Valley.