Catherine Robertson’s art is about capturing the natural world’s beauty. Whether it’s the sea, sky, forests, or mountains, Robertson has a way of capturing the essence of each subject in paintings. She often features local songbirds, eagles, and owls. There is something about Robertson’s art that just makes you feel good. Maybe it’s the whimsy of her winter scenes or how she captures the natural world’s beauty. Whatever it is, her art will surely bring a smile to your face.

Early Life

Robertson was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and grew up in West Vancouver. She spent her childhood years exploring the coast of British Columbia and hiking and skiing in the mountains in winter. During these experiences, she fell in love with the landscapes and creatures that called them home.

Education

Robertson knew she wanted to be an artist when she graduated high school. She had always loved drawing and color, her primary interest and dream. Although pursuing art was discouraged by many people, she held onto her vision and eventually realized it.

Family

Robertson’s mother had a great talent for drawing, and her grandfather painted in oil. Neither pursued art as more than a hobby, but they passed their skills and love of art down to Robertson.

Robertson’s studies of art have been self-directed. She has poured over art books and spent extensive time visiting galleries. The artist says that she spent years learning what art attracted her and that these experiences have influenced who she is today as an artist.

Studio

Her studio is a small apartment ‘dining room’ in White Rock, British Columbia, where she has painted since 1992. Before that, she had a studio built by her father in Vancouver, BC.

Robertson’s creative process involves drawing directly from a thumbnail sketch onto the canvas with a brush in black acrylic paint. She often underpaints the entire canvas with a bright Cadmium Red paint, especially if she is going to paint snow. This approach helps the blue-violet shadows of snow to glow with the contrast of a warm red underneath. The artist doesn’t know what her colors will be until she’s almost finished. Then she goes back in and clean-ups her now smudged but still visible black outlines.

Robertson’s work evolved as she painted and ‘listened’ to her heart. “When an artist paints for many years and has painted many paintings,” she explains, “her so-called style finds her. This must be what occurred with me as I don’t recall any direct attempts at something ‘new,’ I just painted.”

Recognition

Her peers have recognized Robertson for her talent and skill. She is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Mondial Art Academia in South France, and the Drawing Society of Canada. She has also been juried as an honorary South Surrey White Rock Art Society member.

Robertson has also won numerous awards for her paintings in local exhibitions and major competitions. Some of her most notable achievements include winning 2nd prize in the Surrey Arts Society’s ‘Paint the Town’ competition and being named ‘Artiste des Mois’ for July 2021. She has also received an honorable mention from the Federation of Canadian Artists. Robertson is a featured artist in the Peninsula Gallery in Sidney, BC.

Outreach

Robertson participated in a fund-raising campaign for the B.C. Lions, and Canucks for Kids, which involved painting giant fiberglass statues of animals. She completed two bears and one eagle, which raised money for the cause in an auction. Robertson felt honored to have been allowed to take part in the campaign and was delighted with the final products.

Aspirations

Robertson says her primary aspiration is to create beautiful paintings and depict her deep concern for habitat. She hopes her images inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural world.

View more of Catherine’s art on her website at robertsongallery.com