Inspiration is everywhere! It can be found in the pewter skies of a cold snowy day, the golden ochre of a summer sunset, or the vivid cornflower blue of a child’s eyes brimming with joy. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by color. I’ve always had an innate understanding of how colors stir emotions. To me, the richness of vandyke brown conjures the comforting warmth of a steaming hot chocolate on a stormy winter night, while the serene tones of sap green take me back to lazy summer afternoons beneath the dappled shade of a sprawling tree.
As an artist, when you understand that color has the power to shape mood and awaken memories, you wield a potent tool for infusing your work with emotion and inspiration. This awareness allows an artist to communicate not just images, but feelings, inviting others into shared experiences through the hues that flow across the canvas.
I was born and raised on the prairies, where vast skies and open spaces shaped my love for painting and drawing. My family had limited resources, so I learned early on to create magic with a modest palette, blending colors to evoke the ones I needed. This practice became second nature, and to this day, I still love the challenge of working with just two to four key colors. The simplicity of the palette allows me to focus on the richness of detail, creating striking contrasts between color and complexity in each piece.
Recently, I moved to Vancouver Island and fell in love all over again. This place speaks to me in ways I’ve never experienced before. The island’s people, its vibrant wildlife, and its breathtakingly diverse landscapes are like nowhere else in the world. Each day here feels like an unfolding story, and as an artist, I feel like I’ve finally come home.
Wanda Fraser
Fraser.Art 