Our 2025 Artists: K-Z
Karen BlickerKaren uses acrylics and other mediums to create abstract artwork that inspires joy and a sense of peacefulness. Her goal for each painting is to engage, delight and uplift the viewer. She has been described as a colourist, and enjoys mixing her own custom colours and experimenting with different styles and techniques.
Karen grew up in Montreal but has lived in Winnipeg since 2001. She rediscovered her passion for creating art when she left her job as a lawyer and policy analyst in 2014 for more creative endeavors. Her paintings have been sold throughout Canada and the United States. Karen's Instagram |
Karen SmithKaren Smith of Winnipeg, has worked with glass for 40 years. Glass can have infinite variations through the artist’s techniques, use of colour, depth and firings. Multiple effects can be accomplished before, during and after firing. Some pieces are fired up to 10 times to achieve a desired outcome.
The translucency of glass is explored by layering transparent colours over one another to achieve a more complicated vibrancy. Incorporating opaque glass allows the viewer to appreciate the level of depth in the art. Karen designs and makes a range of tactile decorative fused glass which is functional, contemporary and complements most interiors. Every piece offers something different – drawing the eye and enhancing a room. Karen's Instagram Karen's Facebook |
Kathleen BlackKathleen was fortunate to be allowed to draw and paint on the walls as a child. She is comfortable in many mediums - acrylic, oil, encaustic, fabric, jewelry, glass sculpture, and pate de verre. It is the strength and beauty of people and the prairies that inspires her. Her work expresses an overwhelming interest in time and mortality. Time of day, time of life, how little or great the time. She continuously works on developing new and creative techniques -- such as merging her love of painting and glass. Her current series gives extinct maps new life and explores the history of the north as well as the changing climate.
Kathleen holds a BFA from the University of Manitoba and has furthered her studies in glass at the Alberta College of Art and Design and Red Deer College. Kathleens Website Kathleens Instagram |
Laura GrossLaura Gross is a Winnipeg-based artist. A self-taught, lifelong lover of creating art, she has been honing her skills for over 30 years. In the last five years, she has displayed her work at Cre8ery Gallery and Art Expo Manitoba. As a painter, Laura works with acrylic paints on canvas and enjoys working texture and nature themes into her art. She is also a sculptor working in polymer clay creating whimsical sculptures.
Laura's Website Laura's Instagram |
Laurie BullerLaurie Buller is a local NK artist who is largely self trained with artistic influences from creative talent based in Winnipeg, Hawaii and Tennessee. Her passion for painting began as a hobby in her early twenties, and later morphed into art therapy as she managed a full time job and raised 2 children with her husband. Currently she is employed full-time as a diagnostic Medical Lab Technologist, and paints for the pure pleasure of it.
Typically highly detailed with bold vibrant colours, Laurie is currently exploring a looser style and enjoying the results. Laurie’s interests include travelling, photography, gardening and summer vacations at the family cottage. Laurie's Instagram Laurie's Website |
Leslie PauletLeslie Paulet is a self-taught artist who resides in Steinbach, MB. Leslie's favorite thing to do in the world is to throw on a backpack with all her gear and head out on the trail for a few hours, days, weeks, or months at a time. An avid hiker and 'occasional' mountain climber, Leslie has travelled to Nepal several times and most recently hiked across Spain with her husband of 25 years. Her next favorite thing in the world to do is paint. If Leslie isn't out in nature, she can be found at home in her studio painting it. Her first solo exhibit took place in Killarney, MB in 2020. Her second solo exhibit was in Steinbach, MB in 2023. Throughout the year she also has pieces displayed at Cre8try in Winnipeg, MB.
Primarily using acrylic paint on canvas or wood, she will often add texture to her work or cover her pieces with resin. Most of her pieces are bright and vibrant. One thing all her pieces have in common is, inspiration always comes from time spent on the trail. Leslie hopes you will find inspiration in her work and head out into nature yourself. Leslie's Instagram |
Lucas KostLucas is a young professional wood sculptor from Winnipeg who creates a variety of works ranging from wall hanging relief carvings, to large scale human and animal figurative sculpture. Working from sustainably harvested materials (usually found wood) he aims to capture a sense of a living internal presence in each piece. This is done through careful observation and interaction with life models. Lucas is fortunate to be one of very few North American artists to have studied the traditional Italian methods of sculpting the human figure in wood. Lucas' Instagram Lucas' Website |
Margaret SwitalaMargaret had her mind set on becoming a full time artist at age of fifteen when she won her first provincial students art award. She has attended Red River College (Advertising Art) as well as intermediate/advanced painting lessons under Wanda Koop. She worked as a graphic designer/illustrator for many years before returning to painting full time.
Her preferred medium is oil paints, but on occasion dabs in pastels and mixed media. She is known for her surrealism paintings as she likes thinking outside the box and creating paradoxes and riddles. Margaret also enjoys traditional still life, flowers and prairie scenes, as she is inspired by beauty and bold colours everywhere. Margaret's Website Margaret's Instagram Margaret's Facebook |
Maria GivnerMaria is an established, graduated artist and illustrator working in a wide range of media from digital art to collages and acrylic paintings.
In her art she applies to the cultural legacy of humankind, but on the contemporary level – by mixing old symbols with the new ones or by placing them in a new environment that provides them with a new meaning. Originally born in Russia, she lived in Israel for many years until finally moved to Canada. While living in countries with a multicultural background she realized that the best key to understanding other people and to connect with them is to learn about their historical roots and their culture. You will see 3 different series of works - collages on cardboard, acrylic paintings of flowers on canvas and prints of digital paintings of Canadian iconic animals on canvases. The diversity of subjects and styles will provide the viewer with a better understanding of her art. Maria's Website Maria's Instagram Maria's Facebook |
Mark ReyesMark Reyes is an artist from Winnipeg who produces works using different medias. He is an avid landscape artist, portraitist, and enjoys painting animals, creating carved paintings, as well as prints. Mark started creating art at an early age, and received lessons in painting and sculpting from Clarence Tillenius, and attended multiple workshops and art programs throughout his teens. He is a recent member of the Manitoba Society of Artist, & is hoping to encourage others to appreciate the innate beauty of our world through his art.
Mark's Instagram |
Melissa MillerMelissa is a Brandon-based mixed media artist. Her recent focus has been studying the combination of abstract and realism within one piece. Abstract art has been a passion of Melissa's for many years. She enjoys the freedom of expression in painting loose abstracts. Her more recent study into rendering subjects in a more realistic manner has elevated her work and the growth she's seen has been truly inspirational. The challenge of combining the two has been a journey of self discovery that she plans to continue delving into. Melissa uses both acrylic and oil paint, as well as a variety of other mark making tools.
Her wish is for her art to inspire uplifting, peaceful feelings in others. She desires to spread the message that art is for everyone! She believes there is a type of art out there for every person and enjoys helping others find art that brings joy, intrigue and enrichment into their lives. Melissa' s Instagram |
Melodie MeakinGrowing up in the Eastman area, Winnipeg artist Melodie Dawn Meakin followed in her mother’s footsteps with a love for drawing. Surrounded all her life by lush forests, lakes and rivers, it is easy to see how nature’s beauty inspired her to expand her range to create with a variety of mediums including alcohol inks, acrylic and resin.
She uses that inspiration to produce original abstract artwork that is bold and beautiful. Each work of art will anchor your décor and add the finishing touch to your space. Melodie's Website |
Michael Beaudry (Mad Mike Studio68)Mad Mike Studio68 is the creative home for the fabrication of functional art works by Canadian Michael Beaudry. A Mechanic & Firefighter, with a love of tinkering & an affinity for robots, his scrapyard finds include vintage tin, metal parts & gears from broken machinery, automobiles & tractors. Each piece is carefully selected for its unique shape, style, & potential for movement, welded together & transformed into striking original works of functionality, creativity, & endless imagination.
Michael's Instagram Michael's Website Michael's TikTok |
Michelle BlackmonMichelle's plein air paintings and still lifes include amazing effects of light and shadows and colours that she sees in everyday life and in her imagination. Feel the passion and excitement in each brush stroke with the thick layers of oil paint. Her collectors enjoy her representation of local landscapes within urban surroundings and the hidden beauty in common objects around us as seen through the eyes of the artist. Michelle definitely paints with passion! Michelle's Website Michelle's Instagram Michelle's Facebook |
Nicole LamNicole is a self-taught artist from BC. Watercolour has been a long-time fascination because of its uncontrollable (and sometimes spontaneous) nature. She started painting to channel her love for cats, and it only expanded from there! Her work centers around her passion for animals and nature. There is a softness to her work while keeping the spirit of watercolour preserved. Nicole also creates pet portrait commissions from time to time. Come by, enjoy the animals and get your original art. Don’t forget to come by and learn about commissioning your own pet portrait!
Nicole's Instagram |
Nicole MckinnonNicole was born in Toronto where she studied Fine Arts at York University. It wasn’t until moving to Winnipeg in her early 30’s that her creative spark truly ignited, inspired by her exploration of nature and travels across the country. Nicole has developed a deep appreciation of the environment and takes steps as an artist to make a positive impact on our planet. She re-use canvas, layering images over time and get prints of my work printed on recycled papers. The images she creates are a reflection of the “Awe” experienced while immersing herself in nature. She aims to create beautifully rendered images that can inspire the viewer to appreciate and protect the beauty and wonders of the delicate environments that surround us.
Nicole's Instagram |
Nika KamalovaNika Kamalova is a contemporary artist from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where she began her artistic journey at the age of four.
In 2012 she moved to Canada and started a new chapter of her art career. Nika developed her skills through a combination of self-teaching and formal art classes. Specializing in modern surrealism, Nika creates whimsical and playful artworks that captivate the imagination. Nika's Instagram |
Nikki BraunNikki Braun is a self-taught artist who holds an associate degree in graphic design. Even though she has spent her adult life in a creative field, 12 years ago Nikki felt the need to rediscover her artistic self. She now enjoys the freedom that comes with being an abstract artist.
Her work revolves around the idea that two things can be true at once. Soft can coexist with harsh; chaos and order can be intertwined; boldness and serenity can complement one another. Through her abstract paintings, Nikki attempt to find balance and harmony in this world of contradictions. She focuses on bold strokes, deep layers, and high-contrast elements that evoke strong emotions and invite viewers to explore the complexity beneath the surface. Nikki’s Instagram |
Patti FernieInfluenced by her love of texture, Patti creates fine art mixed-media paintings, whimsical canvasses, and alcohol ink paintings on both tile and Yupo paper. Her work is unique, incorporating many layers of paint, collage bits, and paint medium, to create visual interest in her paintings. Iconic images; primarily prairie, lake, and nature based, serve as inspiration for her work.
A high school art teacher for over twenty years, Patti began selling her work under the Lake Gal Artworks name in 2015. Her chair logo is derived from a pencil drawing her daughter made when she was eight, of her grandfather’s favourite lake chair. Patti's Website Patti's Instagram |
Rachelle DiddensIt was with reclaimed zinc that Rachelle began developing the unique kind of canvas that anchors most of her current work. The edges are folded back to form an elegant, ready-to-hang frame that is integral with the surface. Then she paints with acrylic – and sometimes with the oil-based liquid, – directly onto the porous metal surface.
Rachelle’s painting is abstract, often with patterns or networks that spread across the surface like fractals. There are repeated, recognizable elements that diagram myriad units which are all different but, in the wider scheme, largely the same – in connection with each other, but also broken and separated. These, she says, can be read as an allegory for the interrelationships of people within our system. Rachelle’s Website Rachelle's Instagram |
Renay Taylor-BesantFrom her wooded acreage in rural Manitoba, Renay’s creative flow is channeled into joyous and dramatic explosions of colour and texture in her art. Time spent in the studio provides her with refuge and rejuvenation from the daily demands of human service work, and shines a rainbow of light into the dark corners of human experience.
Renay seeks to reflect the abundant beauty in the world and convey a sense of positive energy and vibrancy through her intuitive manipulation of paint. Renay's Instagram Renay's Website Renay's Facebook |
Robert MacArthurRobert is a self-taught artist who has always felt a strong affinity for, and curiosity about the natural world—an attraction that has found expression in his painting, photography, and an academic career in zoology. A career spent working with wildlife has immersed him in the natural beauty of wild places, be they beaver ponds in boreal forest, alpine meadows, or prairie marshes. The Winnipeg River in northwestern Ontario and nearby scenery provides inspiration. Proceeds from the sale of his artwork are directed to environmental organizations committed to conserving and protecting Canada’s critical natural ecosystems.
He has always painted in oils, and the painting knife is his tool of choice. He works with pure, undiluted paint straight from the tube and finds there is a three-dimensional, sculpted quality to knife painting that harmonizes perfectly with the rugged boreal forest and Canadian Shield landscapes he often paints. Robert's Website Robert's Instagram |
Rosella FarmerRosella is an award winning painter. Her art education came as an adult, in bits and pieces, as she took a few courses at the Ontario College of Art, joined a local art group, took local Workshops with well known artists and studied many art books and videos. She loves to create colourful paintings, and also loves to try different techniques, mediums, and subject matter. She hopes you enjoy looking at the works she has created. Rosella’s Website Rosella’s Instagram |
Ryan LoteckiRyan Lotecki is a multidisciplinary artist employing classical mediums to consider contemporary subjects and themes. Obtaining his BFA from the UofM in 2003 he went on to work in various glass studios including Derix in Taunnustein, Germany. A MAC grant led him to Almonte, ON in 2005. During his decade there he assisted an established stone carver, a bronze sculptor and executed commissioned artworks. This culminated in the winning of two prestigious public art commissions for the city of Ottawa. Now settled in Garson, he continues to produce works out of personal inquiry and for patronage.
Ryan's Website |
Sandra ProulxSandra Proulx of Sandy's Scapes is a rural Manitoba based oil painter. She is a self-taught artist that began painting about 25 years ago, but in the last 3 years, her creative desire grew exponentially. While landscapes were her initial love, the desire to learn and to try and paint other subjects led to painting airplanes, animals, and people. Often asked why she paints airplanes leads to a conversation about Sandy’s primary occupation which was as a pilot, now having flown for 22 years, and professionally as a Flight Instructor for 18 years. Just recently, Sandy accepted a position with Air Traffic Control and is currently undergoing training. As a result of her love of painting and aviation, Sandy had the opportunity to complete a collection of paintings for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada that are on permanent display in their multi-purpose meeting room.
Sandra's Website Sandra's Instagram |
Sarah GoethalsSarah,owner of Lunar Bloom, is a flower preservation artist who enjoys creating art from something so beautiful such as flowers. Allowing flowers to bloom day and night, forever, with this art form.
Sarah's Website Sarah's Facebook Sarah's Instagram |
Sharon NeelySharon Neely is a self taught artist that paints in pastels, acrylic & oil on canvas, wood, plastic, metal, leaves & feathers.
She lives in Warren, MB with her husband. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Sharon started painting with pastels when her children were young and then branched out into working with acrylic and oil. She only became more serious about painting 5 years ago, since her husbands health and Covid. Painting has given her a space to be calmer and able to be more present. Her favourite now, is acrylic painting on feathers. The feathers are just so delicate and you have to be so gentle with them. It really makes you feel grounded and present. Sharon's Instagram |
Shelley EnemarkShelley Enemark has been a creative soul for as long as she can remember. Her enthusiasm for art only grew with time, as she eagerly absorbed new techniques. Over the years, she became proficient in both watercolor and acrylics, developing her own unique style. Currently, Shelley creates colorful, comforting images in a contemporary impressionist style. It allows her to use vivid hues and expressive style. She will continuously experiment and push myself to new artistic limits, always seeking to evolve and grow. Art is her passion and spirit, driving her to innovate and inspire through her work.
Shelly's Instagram |
Tabatha BuschTabatha is an animal portrait artist, local to Winnipeg. Starting out making custom pet portraits, she has since expanded her work into sculptures and other animals.
Tabatha's Instagram |
Tanis GrayTanis is a mixed media artist. When She was young you would often find her drawing animals, especially horses. However, it's only recently that she has pursued art as a career. She loves colour! She loves to paint with bright, bold colours, using all kinds of materials. Often her process includes collage, water-based spray paint, all kinds of mark making materials and tools, acrylic paint, and then she often finishes with oil paints to add richness to the colours. She loves trying out new materials and often adds them into her creative process. She loves combining realism with abstraction.
Tanis' Instagram |
Teagan VernerTeagan is a mixed media artist with a focus on portraiture and figurative works. With a variety of mediums at her disposal, creativity is never limited! Though Teagan is only 22, she’s been practising art for the past 10 years, and has finally decided to hit the gallery scene!
Teagan's Instagram Teagan's Website Teagan's Facebook |
Tess MartinTess is a textile artist based in Winnipeg, originally from Ottawa. She studied costuming and fashion history at Dalhousie University, where she developed a deep appreciation for textile arts. Her current work focuses on creating intricate textile collages using scrap and discarded fabric, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes. Through her art, she aims to explore and celebrate the rich history and sustainable potential of textile materials.
Tess's Instagram Tess's Facebook Tess's Website |
TreetreetesTreetreetes (also is known as Tree Tree) graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (School of Design – BA (Hons) Art & Design in Education) in 2015. She is a Professional Member of the Hong Kong Society of Illustrators.
Her media speciality includes Watercolour on paper, Acrylics on canvas, Technical Pen, Wacom, Pro-create, Adobe CC. She works in design and illustration field since 2002, her earlier works published in newspapers and magazines. She was crossover artist with Visit Britain in 2011. Additionally she is the watercolour illustrator of an ecological map (The Ma Shi Po’s ecological map) which published in 2014. Treetreetes' Website Treetreetes' Instagram |
Trish O'SullivanTrish's earliest memories of art are from her childhood at Rabbit Lake where she would draw and sketch with her Gramma Helen. She continued to grow from her bedroom wall murals to teaching art to youth at risk in Winnipeg's inner city. After working with visiting artists and learning their different styles of art she decided to leave the school of art at the University of Manitoba and grow as an artist by creating. Over the years her art has developed and grown but always comes back to her time with her Gramma and her love of nature.
Trish is a Canadian artist who takes inspiration for her contemporary works from nature. She shows her work in Manitoba and Ontario. Trish's Website Trish's Instagram |
ValentinoValentine is a Nigerian born self taught emerging visual artist, with over two decades of experience creating art in various media and genres, blurring the line between abstraction and realism. He moved to Canada in 2023 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional artist and is presently studying Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, Canada.
Valentine specializes in hyperrealism, realism, abstract and portraiture. Using art as a medium of vocal expression, Creating art that is vivid, captivating and engaging to his audience. Valentine is a Nigerian born self taught emerging visual artist, with over two decades of experience creating art in various media and genres, blurring the line between abstraction and realism. He moved to Canada in 2023 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional artist and is presently studying Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, Canada. Valentine specializes in hyperrealism, realism, abstract and portraiture. Using art as a medium of vocal expression, Creating art that is vivid, captivating and engaging to his audience. Valentino's Instagram |
Vern SchwarzVern is a self taught artist working primarily working in oil paint with varied interests in subject matter and process. He has always been interested in light, colour and technique and continually strives to improve his skills.
Vern's Website |
Wendy LeeWendy Lee designs and individually hand paints her silk scarves in her Winnipeg Studio. Her paintings are inspired by the Flora and Fauna of Canada's natural beauty encompassing diverse landscapes and wildlife. Her colours are vivid and expressive. She carries a line of art cards, silk bookmarks, silk ornaments, hand crafted magnets and silk jewelry. Wendy also creates framed paintings and extraordinary commissioned pieces. Her work has been displayed at the WAG, Teecka's, Fort Whtye, Aviation Museum, Manitoba Museum, Human Rights Museum and others.
Wendy's Website Wendy's Instagram Wendy's Facebook |
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are gathered on Treaty 1 Territory, the traditional land of the Anishinabe (Ojibway), Ininew (Cree), Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.
ans un esprit de réconciliation, nous reconnaissons que nous sommes réunis sur le territoire du traité n° 1, la terre traditionnelle des Anishinabe (Ojibway), des Ininew (Cris), des Oji-Cris, des Dakota et des Dénés, et la patrie de la nation métisse. |
Winnipeg Fine Art Fair
April 4-6 2025 Red River Exhibition Place |