Artist Statement
Art, for me, is an attempt to convey to others that they are loved. Whether you believe in a Divine presence or not, nature and beauty can still resonate in your soul and stir in you some sense of your belovedness. My hope is that my art can create spaces and moments where people will pause and connect with that sense of being loved. To be reassured that it's all going to be okay.
The subject matter I focus on is landscapes, with special preference given to skies. Looking up at the sky always helps to ground me and remind me that the world is much bigger than me and my problems. Skies also provide an endless source of inspiration and challenge me to stretch my skills in capturing the nuances, colours, and forms.
My style is somewhere between Contemporary Realism and Painterly Realism. Up close, you can see that my work is a painting. However, step back and you might believe you're looking at a photograph. Although I observe real life all the time, I most often paint from photo references because I have many sensitivities that aren't compatible with working outdoors.
My preferred medium is acrylic paint. Although there are better options environmentally, I try to minimize environmental impact as best as I can. Working with dry brushing techniques, I can achieve the blends I want. I really love the look of oil paints but I have discovered that I am sensitive to the scent of them, so I stay with acrylics.
As an artist, much of my work is commissioned projects. I consider it an honour to be able to use my gifts to help bring other people's visions to life and create meaningful and beautiful custom keepsakes for them.
In a world full of chaos, sadness, and ugliness, my hope is that my art can be oasis of calm and beauty; to lift people's spirits and invite us all to keep looking up.
Artist CV
SELECTED PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
2026 Feel the Calm, Acrylic on canvas (24"x36"), Coastal Dental Specialists, North Vancouver, BC.
2025 Looking Out, Looking Up, Acrylic on canvas (9"x12"), Private collection, Hong Kong.
2025 A Generous Stillness, Acrylic on canvas (12"x16"), Private collection, Kelowna, BC.
2024 Haven, Acrylic on canvas (30"x60"), Private collection, Toronto, ON.
2024 Under the Same Big Sky, Acrylic on paper (5"x7"), Private collection, New York, USA.
2024 Truly! His Promises Never Fail!, Acrylic on canvas (6"x18"), Private collection, United Kingdom.
2023 The Vision series, Acrylic on paper (set of six 2"x2"), Private collection, Minnesota, USA.
2023 A Time to Mend, Acrylic on paper (17"x7"), Private collection, Washington, USA.
2022 At Ease, Acrylic on canvas (24"x30"), Beacon Therapy Clinic, Pitt Meadows, BC.
2022 Planted by the Water, Acrylic on canvas (16"x20"), Private collection, Hong Kong.
2022 As Sure As the Dawn, Acrylic on canvas - triptych (16"x16"x3), Private collection, Burnaby, BC.
2022 River of Grace, Acrylic on canvas (16"x20"), Private collection, Shanghai, China.
2021 Infinite Love, Acrylic on canvas (16"x20"), Private collection, Shanghai, China.
2021 Let Nothing Disturb You, Acrylic on canvas (16"x67"), Private collection, Vancouver, BC.
2021 Awaken the Dawn, Acrylic on canvas (12"x16"), Private collection, Washington, USA.
2020 Tranquility and Freedom, Acrylic on canvas (24"x36"), Private collection, Calgary, AB.
2020 Watched Over, Acrylic on canvas (16"x20"), Private collection, Guangzhou, China.
2020 Daily Grace, Acrylic on canvas (12"x16"), Private collection, Vernon, BC.
COLLECTIONS
Works held in private collections in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Australia, and New Zealand.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2025 Have You Looked Up Lately? (solo), Bevees, Port Coquitlam, BC
2025 Coastal (online juried), Square Foot Show, https://squarefootshow.com
2023 Tiny Expanses (solo), Braid St Gallery, Port Coquitlam, BC
2022 Healing Gardens (group), PoMoArts, Port Moody, BC
LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
July 11 2025, “Painting Clouds” (Virtual Workshop), Guest Teacher, Opus Art Supplies, Zoom/Online.
February 5 2025, “Life as a Professional Artist,” Guest Lecturer, BC Christian Academy, Coquitlam, BC.
June 29 2024, “Opus Plein Air Adventure”, Guest facilitator, Opus Art Supplies, Coquitlam, BC.
July 15, 2023, “Opus Plein Air Adventure”, Guest facilitator, Opus Art Supplies, Coquitlam, BC.
October 7 2021, “Thursday Artist Talk”, Guest Artist, Surrey Art Gallery Association, Facebook Live.
PRESS & MEDIA
Mason, Mike. “Tiny Expanses: Small Is Beautiful.” Mike Mason blog, May 19, 2023.
Cleugh, Janis. “Blue or stormy? Port Coquitlam artist makes 100 tiny paintings of the sky.” Vancouver Is Awesome, 22 March 2023.
Black, Kheneil [@kheneilblack]. “Faith in her Feathers.” Instagram, 14 May 2022.
PoCo Arts Council. “Behind the Scenes: PoCo Artist Interview featuring Olive Chan.” YouTube, uploaded by Olive Chan, 25 April 2022.
Cleugh, Janis. “#LittleArtsOfKindness is an 'Art Hug' Movement: Port Coquitlam Painter.” Vancouver Is Awesome, 27 November 2020.
EDUCATION
York University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Honours, 2004
Unionville High School, Arts York Visual Arts Programme, 2000