Wendy Porter is an internationally acclaimed artist, living in Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. Her work is collected worldwide. She has had over fifty private commissions for her work, and her paintings are found in private collections around the world, including Germany, England, France, Australia, Canada and the USA. Wendy was on the Board of Emily Carr College of Art & Design, in Vancouver, BC for seven years. She has taught art classes through the Kelowna Art Gallery, and been on the Acquisition Committee for the Gallery. She has been involved in numerous one person exhibits, as well as many group shows, both at the Kelowna Art Gallery and in private galleries in British Columbia.

Her love of drawing began in childhood, and once her three children were in school, Wendy attended classes in the Visual Arts Department at Okanagan University College. Painting was an immediate passion and continues to occupy her days.

“My children grew up with a mother who always had paint on her clothes, in her hair or on an eyebrow. It must have been a positive experience, as all three of my children are artistic and have art in their genes.”

Her inspiration surrounds her, and she believes in celebrating the beauty, design and essence of life in the Okanagan. She records her life and contemporary times through her own interpretations, which she calls the ‘magic’ of painting.

“For the past twenty-five years, I have been planning paintings in the car, lying in bed at night, walking down the grocery aisle or walking by the lake. Whether I have five minutes or five hours, I go in to my studio to develop my paintings. My style of painting has evolved from this daily ritual.”

Her style includes large, colourful beach scenes, mountain and vineyard winter scenes with ski chalets, skiers/snowboarders and the Okanagan’s famous “snow ghosts” (snowy trees), and celebrated orchards as they change through the seasons. Wendy Porter captures the true essence of the Four Seasons in the Okanagan.

“I am a storyteller and use paint to record people, their dress and the landscape. My paintings are inspired by small sketches that have become a habit for me to do. Design is important, but I never know how a painting will appear when completed. The colours, and the positive and negative space are always changing as I work. This is the exciting part for me.”

Commissions & Purchases:

Exhibitions & Awards:

Professional Affiliates:

• 2016 Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists
• 1979 - 1987 Member of the Board of Directors of Emily Carr College of Art & Design, Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Chairperson, Acquisition Committee, Kelowna Art Gallery
• Held & taught Painting Workshops, Kelowna Art Gallery
• Member of Okanagan Artists Alternative
• Museum & Drawing Workshop, Paris, France