Inspired by the Wild: How Nature Fuels Artistic Expression
From the intimate rustle of leaves in a quiet forest to the powerful mountain landscapes in our area, nature has long served as a boundless source of inspiration for many of our Fernie Arts Coop artists. Our creatives have turned to landscapes, wildlife, and the rhythms of the natural world to capture its beauty, power, and spirit through art. Whether painting en plein air in the golden light of sunset, or photographing wildlife in the stillness of dawn fro reference material, artists find in nature both a muse and a message.
Nature as Muse: A Deep Connection
For many of our artists, nature isn’t just a subject—it’s a sanctuary. The sights, sounds, and textures of the outdoors awaken the senses and open creative channels that are often dulled by the pace of modern life. This connection is emotional and spiritual, urging artists to translate fleeting moments of beauty into lasting visual memories.
Some of our contemporary wildlife painters, Kari Lehr, Mimi Sahlstrom and Ric Fedyna, find inspiration in the nature around them to paint local animals. From the cute and adorable to the fierce and majestic.
Sketching in the Wild and Painting en Plein Air
Some artists immerse themselves directly in their subject matter, heading outdoors with their sketchbooks, watercolors, or easels to paint en plein air—a French term meaning “in the open air.” This method, popularized by the Impressionists in the 19th century, allows artists to engage with nature in real time. The unpredictability of weather and light brings urgency to the work and often results in fresh, spontaneous pieces.
Our plein air artist Melanie Macvoy, gets her inspiration from visiting mountain tops and paints the majestic trees that grow there, capturing dramatic perspectives of them in her work.
Diverse Styles, Shared Reverence
The way nature is portrayed in art varies widely, depending on the artist’s style, background, and intent. Some strive for realism, recreating exact textures of bark or feathers with incredible detail. Others lean into abstraction, using bold shapes and color to capture the essence or emotion of a landscape rather than its literal form.
Realist nature artists such as Harmon Delyea creates very accurate depictions of bears, moose and elk in their habitat.
Abstract and modern artists like Patrick Markle take inspiration from the mountains and lakes around Fernie, using bold shapes and patterns to evoke a connection with the land.
Contemporary eco-artists often use natural materials—leaves, branches, stones—or as Natalie Tretyak, who uses wool, silk, fleece and other natural fibers to create amazing images of wildlife and landscapes..
Nature as a Mirror
Ultimately, when artists depict nature, they’re often revealing as much about themselves as they are about the world around them. A quiet sketch of a fox in a snowy field can speak to the artist’s sense of solitude or wonder. A bold painting of stormy skies might reflect inner turmoil or awe at nature’s power.
Nature's inspiration is vast, and each artist filters it through a unique lens. What they create reminds us of the richness of the world we live in—and our role in preserving it. At the Fernie Arts Coop, we have dozens of artists that use nature to inspire their work. Whether through detailed studies of flora and fauna or sweeping vistas of wild places, our roster of artists will help you see nature from a whole new perspective. Come in and see for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
