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Art with a Narrative

Story-Driven Collecting: Art with a Narrative Edge is In

In a world oversaturated with fleeting images and AI-generated content, collectors are returning to what truly moves them: story. More than ever, today’s art collectors are seeking work that doesn’t just look beautiful on a wall, but that tells a story, sparks conversation, and holds deeper meaning. We’re in the era of story-driven collecting, and it’s reshaping what people choose to live with, invest in, and pass down. Art with a Narrative.

As a painter deeply influenced by the Canadian experience, storytelling has always been at the core of my work. Whether it’s a denim jacket with a Remembrance Day poppy, a plaid shirt hanging in quiet symbolism, or a polar bear wandering through the shifting north, my paintings aim to capture moments that speak to who we are as Canadians—and who we are becoming.

Why Narrative Matters to Today’s Collector

In a digital age where everything is quick and curated, collectors are gravitating toward works that anchor them to a sense of place, memory, and emotion. Art with a narrative edge offers:

Connection: A painting with a story allows collectors to form a deeper bond with the work and the artist.
Conversation: Story-based art becomes a talking point in the home or office, sparking dialogue about place, identity, or history.
Legacy: A collector isn’t just buying a work—they’re preserving a moment in time. Narrative artwork carries cultural and emotional value that lasts generations.

Narrative in Art: Pop Modernism Meets the Canadian Story

My own artistic language—what I call pop modernism—blends the boldness of pop art with the layered complexity of personal and national stories. I use symbolism, composition, and familiar iconography to tell Canadian stories in a way that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Collectors often tell me they’re drawn to the story within the image—two plaid shirts hanging in a pop art sky, or a polar bear wearing perched atop an iceberg. These are works that ask questions and invite interpretation. They become part of the collector’s story too.

Art with a Narrative: Art as a Mirror—and a Chronicle

Art with a narrative edge acts as a mirror of our individual experience and a chronicle of collective identity. For Canadian collectors especially, the desire to own and support art that reflects the land, people, and stories of Canada is stronger than ever. It’s not about decoration; it’s about meaning.

As story-driven collecting continues to rise, I’m honoured to be part of this movement—a visual storyteller reflecting the quirks, the heart, and the vast beauty of Canada, one canvas at a time.

Ready to Collect a Story?

If you’re looking to add meaningful, story-rich Canadian artwork to your collection, I invite you to explore my latest paintings. Each piece is a window into a place, a feeling, and a shared national experience.

👉 Browse Available Artworks

Bring home a piece of the Canadian story—told in paint, heart, and soul.

June 24, 2025

New Paintings 2025

New Paintings

Painting Canada – New Paintings Made in the First 6 Months of 2025

Painting Canada is something I’ve been doing for nearly two decades now—an ongoing visual journey that traverses provinces, symbols, and stories across this vast and layered country. Every year, I take a moment to pause halfway through and reflect on new paintings that have emerged from the first six months of 2025. It’s part self-check-in, part celebration, and always an exercise in understanding where the brush has taken me—and where it wants to go next.

On average, I complete between 25 to 35 new paintings annually, each one contributing to the broader narrative of Canadian identity, place, and imagination. This year, however, feels different. I’m on track to produce a particularly large and ambitious body of work—one that spans geography, mythology, memory, and the daily poetry of life in Canada.

In 2025, I’ve continued developing the Polar Bear King series—paintings that follow a solitary polar bear as he journeys across North America in search of a new home. These works are part allegory, part environmental commentary, and part personal myth-making. The Polar Bear King has taken on a life of his own, becoming a kind of nomadic hero navigating changing landscapes with quiet resilience.

Alongside the polar bear’s travels, I’ve returned to some familiar yet ever-evolving territories—painting the dramatic skies and rolling foothills of Alberta, and the rugged coastal beauty of Newfoundland. Each landscape painting captures more than topography—it holds a mood, a memory, and a sense of national character seen through my eyes.

I’ve also woven in symbols of identity and seasonality: Canada flags rendered in unexpected contexts, floral still life’s infused with a pop-modernist palette, and compositions that combine realism with abstraction, celebration with critique.

This year’s paintings are bursting with colour and story. They continue to build on a narrative I’ve been telling for years: one that invites the viewer to reflect, dream, and perhaps see their own Canadian experience mirrored back in paint.

Here are my Top 10 Paintings of 2025 (so far)—a mid-year highlight reel of what’s come to life in the studio.

Please Stand By

Please Stand By, Acrylic On Canvas, 30 x 40 inches, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

2. Heartbeats Hum

Heartbeats Hum, Oil and Acrylic on Wood Panel, 36 x 36 x 1 in, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

3. Float Away With Me

Float Away With Me, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, 12×9 inches, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

4. Red Rocks

Red Rocks, Acrylic on wood panel, 18 x 24 x 2 inches, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

5. The Beach

The Beach, Acrylic on wood panel, 18 x 24 x 2 in, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

6. Wild Rose Country

Wild Rose Country, Acrylic On Canvas, 24 x 12 x 1.5 in, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

7. Hello Poppy!

Hello Poppy!, Acrylic On Canvas, 36 x 48 x 1.5 in, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

8. Lovers in A Dangerous Time

Lovers in a Dangerous Time (2025), Acrylic on wood panel, 18 x 24 x 1.5 in, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

9. Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful, Acrylic On Canvas, 39 x 51 x 1.5 in, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

10. Hanging On a Cloud

Hanging On A Cloud, Acrylic On Canvas, 52 x 25 x 1.5 in, 2025 – Brandy Saturley

Currently paintings by Brandy Saturley are available through James Baird Gallery in Newfoundland, Gust Gallery in Waterton Lakes, Willock & Sax Gallery in Banff and through the artist directly through this website.

June 2, 2025

Beyond the Group of Seven

Canadian Art

Beyond the Group of Seven: Reimagining Canadian Iconography

When we think of Canadian art, the first images that often come to mind are sweeping wilderness landscapes—windswept pines, rocky shorelines, and snow-covered peaks—painted nearly a century ago by the Group of Seven.

Also sometimes known as the Algonquin School, the Group of Seven was a group of Canadian landscape painters from 1920 to 1933, originally consisting of Franklin Carmichael , Lawren Harris , A. Y. Jackson , Frank Johnston , Arthur Lismer , J. E. H. MacDonald , and Frederick Varley . Later, A. J. Casson was invited to join in 1926, Edwin Holgate became a member in 1930, and LeMoine FitzGerald joined in 1932. Two artists commonly associated with the group are Tom Thomson and Emily Carr.

Their work defined a national visual identity at a time when Canada was still shaping its cultural voice. But what does Canadian iconography look like today?

Three Sisters, Oil and Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 48 x 1.5 in, 2024 Brandy Saturley

As a contemporary Canadian artist, I’ve long wrestled with this question. My practice has taken me across this country—from the remote reaches of the Northwest Territories to the coastal charm of Newfoundland—and with every province and territory, I’ve found new stories, symbols, and subtleties that challenge the traditional, postcard-ready view of Canada.

Rocky Mountains Higher, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 x 1.5 in, 2017 Brandy Saturley

Yes, our landscapes are still powerful, but Canadian identity is no longer bound to pristine nature. It lives in roadside diners, hockey rinks, plaid shirts, protest signs, denim jackets pinned with poppies, and the layered histories of our cities and small towns. It’s in the music of The Tragically Hip, the quiet endurance of the everyman, and the vibrant resurgence of Indigenous visual language.

Hearts On Our Sleeves, Acrylic On Canvas, 40 x 30 x 1.5 in, 2017, Brandy Saturley

In my work, I often revisit symbols like the maple leaf, the beaver, or the canoe—not to replicate them, but to reframe them through a modern lens. Sometimes I juxtapose these icons with pop culture references, or place them in surreal, unexpected settings. I’m interested in how familiarity can invite deeper reflection when viewed from a new angle.

Peace, Love, Canada, 2023, Acrylic and gouache on canvas, 30 x 40 x 1.5 in, 2023, Brandy Saturley

Reimagining Canadian iconography is about more than updating old motifs. It’s about listening to voices that were left out of the original canon. It’s about including urban stories, immigrant experiences, queer narratives, and Indigenous perspectives—not as sidebars, but as central to the ongoing story of this country.

Imagine Canoe, Acrylic and gouache, 48 x 60 x 1.5 in, 2022, Brandy Saturley

The Group of Seven gave us a foundation. They helped establish a sense of place. But it’s time we build on that legacy with a richer, more inclusive visual language—one that reflects who we are now and where we’re going.

Ride My Wake, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 x 1.5 in, 2014, Brandy Saturley

I believe Canadian art today is about complexity. It’s about contradictions, conversations, and connections. And maybe that’s our most iconic trait of all. See more of my paintings here.

Let Your Backbone Rise, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 x 1.5 in, 2016, Brandy Saturley

May 28, 2025

Painting Canada 500 Paintings

Buy Canadian, Canadian Art

Painting Canada: Brandy Saturley and Nearly 500 Paintings

“We lived in a continuous blaze of enthusiasm…above all we loved this country (Canada) and loved exploring and painting it…” Brandy Saturley is a celebrated contemporary Canadian visual artist renowned for her powerful portrayals of Canadian culture, landscapes, wildlife, and iconic symbols—from hockey and nature to the people and places that define our nation. Often called ‘the Voice of Canadian Pop Art,’ Saturley’s work reflects her unique vision and deep connection to Canada’s spirit. Over the years, she has created nearly 500 paintings, all offering a distinct perspective on Canadian identity.

Canadianisms at Okotoks Art Gallery, 2017 Brandy Saturley

Saturley’s paintings not only embrace a sense of humour but also reference famous works of art, creating layered narratives that explore what it means to be Canadian. The artworks found in Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada open a dialogue informed by our national iconography, passion, humour, tolerance, and kindness. These paintings challenge and celebrate the evolving story of Canada, offering fresh perspectives on familiar symbols and moments in our shared history.

Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada – Strathcona County Gallery @501, January 2017

Saturley is celebrated for her Canadiana-inspired acrylic paintings and is recognized as a leading Canadian visual artist. Her vibrant art collection captures the essence of Canada, featuring iconic landscapes, Tim Hortons cups, and well-known figures like Gord Downie and a hockey stick-wielding Shania Twain. Her work reflects a rich tapestry of Canadian culture: from a Mi’kmaq performer alongside an RCMP officer at the Vimy Ridge 100th anniversary to a veteran standing solemnly above a field of red poppies. In one piece, a couple stands outside the Montreal Forum, posed in homage to Grant Wood’s American Gothic. The term #IconicCanuck, coined for her first public gallery exhibition, has since become synonymous with her work.

#ICONICCANUCK art crate and painting Saint Kanata by Brandy Saturley, 2017

Growing up on Vancouver Island, Saturley developed a deep connection to Canada’s landscapes and cultural diversity. The island, separated from the mainland by ocean and distinct weather patterns, fostered her unique perspective on Canadian identity. Her style—often described as ‘Canadian Pop Art,’ ‘Pop Realism,’ or more recently ‘Pop Modernism’—is unmistakable, characterized by bold colors, crisp lines, and a distinct approach to visual storytelling.

Canadianisms Exhibition at Okotoks Art Gallery, 2017 Brandy Saturley

Confronting the enormity of the landscape has become a crucial aspect of Canadian identity and is another recurring theme in Saturley’s work. Her well-regarded Canadianisms series, while sometimes still grounded in the landscape, also references famous works of art, reinterpreting them to examine the construction of Canadian identity. Many old masters are identifiable in her compositions, including Jacques-Louis David, René Magritte, and Grant Wood. By evoking these famous compositions within her exploration of Canadian cultural symbols, the series reminds us that identity has always been constructed through a symbolic visual language—one that we actively participate in by recognizing and reinterpreting it.

#ICONICCANUCK at CARFAC Alberta, 2013 Brandy Saturley

Saturley’s narratives on canvas oscillate between graphic realism—used for Canada’s famous mountain peaks and forest lakes—and the abstractness of colorful, even psychedelic backgrounds. The sincerity of her celebration keeps her work from veering into kitsch; instead, they are otherworldly and transportive, playful yet deeply reflective. Her paintings capture the collective Canadian consciousness, offering viewers a chance to see themselves within the layers of symbolism, history, and contemporary culture that shape this country.

With Hearts on Our Sleeves, Brandy Saturley, 2017

Painting Canada 500 Paintings: Art Crates & Collaborations

During this time Saturley also became known for her hand-painted art shipping crates which were part of her Canada150 art exhibitions, and also the crates her collectors receive when buying an original painting. You can see these crates in collections across Canada. Her paintings have been licensed for use with brands and on products from chocolates to reading glasses.

CANADA150 Chocolate by Blossom Spice, Vancouver BC

In January 2025, Saturley published her first Art Book featuring paintings spanning 15 years, ‘Painting Canada’ will be launched at her upcoming solo exhibition in Newfoundland with James Baird Gallery.

Brandy Saturley with her Art Book, Painting Canada

With nearly two decades of artistic exploration and an ever-growing body of work, Brandy Saturley continues to paint Canada with an unparalleled passion and vision. Her art invites us all to engage with the symbols, landscapes, and stories that define what it means to be Canadian.

Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley with her Art Shipping Crates, 2017

See More Canadian Art Collections by Brandy Saturley.

Brandy Saturley with her art shipping crates, 2013

February 10, 2025

10 Best Paintings 2024

New Paintings

My Year in Paintings, the 10 Best of 2024

With every year I begin with the goal of creating 25 new paintings, while also working on a myriad of opportunities to show and sell my work. Each year I take time to look back on the year in Canadian Art, and select my 10 best paintings of the year. These are paintings that worked out not only in subject and deliver on an emotional level, but they are also technically great artworks. In 2024, my artist lens was focused on both western Canada and the landscape of the Rocky Mountains, as well as Canada’s east coast and stories of Newfoundland. Here are my 10 best Canadian paintings of 2024.

10.

High on Canada Drive, 12×36, acrylic and oil on wood, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Love on The Rock, 18×36, acrylic and oil on wood, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Downside Up, 18×24, acrylic and oil on wood, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Quidi on the Vidi, 24×18, acrylic and oil on wood, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

High Tide, 36×48, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Come On Just Let’s Go, 48×30, acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Say a Little Prayer, 48×30, acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Minnewanka Muse, 12×24, acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Three Sisters, 24×48, acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Little Red Saltbox, 18×24, acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

These 10 Best Paintings of 2024 are not just my favorites; they represent milestones in my ongoing journey of capturing the essence of Canada through art. Each piece adds a layer to the evolving narrative I’ve been crafting since 2010, celebrating the landscapes, people, and symbols that define this vast and diverse nation. Through these works, I aim to inspire viewers to see Canada not just as a place, but as a rich tapestry of stories, emotions, and connections that we all share.

Sincerely Yours,

Brandy Saturley

December 30, 2024

2024 In Art Review

The Year in Art, Top Artist

Looking Back on My Year in Art – 2024 in Review

When I think about a word that most accurately defines this year it would be ‘bustling’. With 27 new paintings created this year, shows, travel for art and a new book in the works, the year was filled with achievements both professionally and personally. This is my 2024 in Art review.

January

I was still filled up with the essence of Newfoundland from my residency in late 2023, and I continued to pour it out on the canvasses in my Victoria studio.

Paintings inspired by Canada’s East Coast – Newfoundland – Brandy Saturley

February

My impressions of Newfoundland continue to feed my work. While grey outside, the tone in my studio is filled with vivid colours of Saltbox houses and East Coast dories.

Newfoundland Paintings 2024 – Brandy Saturley

March

A collaboration opportunity with a new shoe company – Grounded People in Vancouver invited me to come on board as one of their Artists and I put paint to sustainable vegan high top boot. With the opportunity for clients to get their own custom ‘Brandy Saturley’ kicks. Pretty cool. In March there was also a show in Toronto with the John B. Aird Gallery – a group show titled ‘Wildlife’, one of my polar bear paintings joined this show.

Custom shoe collaboration with Grounded People – Brandy Saturley

Group show with John B. Aird Gallery Toronto – Brandy Saturley

April

With Spring in the air I sent my Canada150 tulip painting to a group show with Summer & Grace Gallery in Toronto. A beautiful Still Life, celebrated the tradition of still life painting. While their were many traditional takes on the subject I offered and contemporary and modern take on still life with my pop realism tulip.

A Beautiful Still Life exhibition at Summer & Grace Gallery, Oakville – Brandy Saturley

May

This month was all about an art road trip for the ages. With a 25ookm drive one way, we headed out to Santa Fe, New Mexico – driving from my home studio in Victoria, BC. This trip had the ultimate destination of the Santa Fe Art scene on Canyon road, but on the way there and back I added a number of inspiring stops to the itinerary. We covered 6 states on this trip including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. With a major stop in Moab, Utah and arches National Park.

From Victoria BC to Santa Fe, New Mexico – Artist on the road – Brandy Saturley

Our scenery flowed from farmers fields in Washington to the red rock of Utah and the warm pastel landscapes and otherworldly rock formation of Utah and New Mexico. In New Mexico we made the drive to Abiquiu to visit the home and studio of American painter, Georgia O’ Keeffe, perhaps my favourite historical painter of all-time. This trip was all about Art and landscapes, with moon-like terrain on the Salt Flats at Bonneville – we experienced the full spectrum of colours and shapes of landscapes on this tour across the Western USA.

Inside Georgia O’Keeffe studio, Abiquiu, New Mexico

June

June came with news of being elected to the Society of Canadian Artists. Fostering the visibility and stature of the visual arts in Canada, the SCA is a national, non-profit artists’ organization dedicated to expanding the visibility and stature of the visual arts. We are a collection of some of the country’s most committed traditional and new media artists and we welcome the new, the up-and-coming and the established.

Brandy Saturley elected to the Society of Canadian Artists, 2024

July and August

Taking a bit of a break I concentrated on painting and sketching and enjoying my garden as my work for the year continued to develop. With my recent trip to Santa Fe I had landscapes and nature on my mind and focused in on the now and largely shut out communicating online. Time to go deep, experiment and leave the world behind for a bit.

High Tide, 36×48, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

September

With the Art season warming up a group show launched in Newfoundland titled WOMAN. The Woman Art Show, has become an annual exhibition of some of the best figurative painters from around the world. This well known figurative art show is produced annually by the James Baird Gallery in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland. One hundred figurative painters from over twenty countries exploring the theme of woman. As in past years we are spanning the globe with outstanding artists and their practices. I am proud to have one of my paintings included in this important show.

WOMAN Show, James Baird Gallery, Newfoundland, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

October

Full steam ahead! Lots of painting to do and preparations began for my upcoming Art Book and solo show in Newfoundland in 2025. This month I am also celebrating one year on ARTSY with James Baird Gallery. Artsy is a place for the future of art collecting. As the leading marketplace for art by the world’s emerging and established artists, they have made it easy for new and experienced collectors to discover, buy, and sell art—and so much more.

Follow Brandy Saturley on ARTSY

November

While my studio is filled with a number of canvasses in various stages, on the business side I found myself collaborating with a Toronto Art Agency on a digital installation in Toronto at 2 Bloor West. My painting, ‘I’ll Carry That Weight’, is presented prominently on digital screen in the lobby at 2 Bloor West, in honour of Remembrance Day. I also began work on an oversized landscape painting commission for a client in Calgary, Alberta measuring 4×10 feet.

Digital Installation in Toronto Highness Global X Brandy Saturley

Brandy Saturley in her Victoria studio with oversized landscape painting

December

Lovely to have some sales complete in December and deliver paintings to new homes in Calgary and Minnesota, via my Banff dealer Willock & Sax. This month I am also celebrating 2 years with Willock & Sax Gallery, my trusted dealer in Banff, Alberta. I was also honoured with a Certificate of Artistic Achievement from the Luxembourg Art Prize.

Brandy Saturley artworks – Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff Alberta

Another year in the books and on the canvas. I think the most important reason to share these year in review updates is to show you that an art career is multi-faceted and the building never stops. Although I am a primarily a painter my job is more than just laying down paint on canvas. It is important for me to get out of the studio and stay connected with the Art world at large, which is why I take these road trips for art, exploring new landscapes and new potential markets for my work. Part of the job is also showing the work and planning shows and planting seeds for future opportunities. On the commerce side of art there are sales, and shipping of Art. There is inventory and bookkeeping and keeping up relationships with representatives of my work. Lastly, there are collaborations which help to push the work to parallel markets like collaborating with clothing brands and art agents and agencies. You never know where you will find my work and I enjoy introducing the work to new audiences.

Brandy Saturley studio, Victoria BC 2024

So, while I am a professional Artist and painter my work relies on the use of other mediums such as photography, video and writing to bring it all together. To be successful in this field, you have to reach out in many directions and also allow the work to pull you where it wants to go, this is the beauty of this profession and there is never one road to take to become successful in this field.

While I set the course ever year, the course sometimes takes me on backroads and off the beaten path to discover new depths. It’s like surfing and riding waves, it’s a beautiful experience that you must give yourself to fully and trust in the course.

Canadian Artist, Brandy Saturley

Thank you for being part of my year and for allowing me the privilege of continuing to pursue my dream through supporting my work, a dream that was born in childhood and I am just a bigger kid now.

Cheers to a bustling 2024!

Sincerely Yours,

Brandy Saturley

December 13, 2024

Best Canadian Art on Artsy

Art Dealers, Artsy

Celebrating One Year on ARTSY – 10 Best in Canadian Art

Artsy is a place for the future of art collecting. As the leading marketplace for art by the world’s emerging and established artists, they have made it easy for new and experienced collectors to discover, buy, and sell art—and so much more. Everything you’ll ever need to collect art, you’ll find on Artsy. I am celebrating my first anniversary on Artsy, with works available through James Baird Gallery, Newfoundland Canada. On Artsy you will find some of my best in the Canadian Art and pop realism genre. Here are my 10 best paintings currently available on Artsy.

A painting of a woman in a red coat flying high above the Rocky Mountains.

Rocky Mountains Higher, 36×48, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of lovers kissing in the midst of snowy ski hills.

The Kiss, 36×48, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of a young blonde woman looking up at the sky as the magic of the Northern Lights dances above

Dreaming Under Northern Lights, 36×36, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of a person looking through binoculars with icebergs behind them, pop art hues.

Looking for the icebergs, 30×48, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of a yellow sou’wester hat on a rocky cove in Newfoundland

I Lost My Sou’Wester in Pouch Cove, 28×64, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of a woman in a red toque and yellow rain coat in between a trio of brightly painted saltbox houses

Trinity, 20×20, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of two yellow dory boats on Canada’s East Coast

A Dory for you an One For Me, 24×18, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of a red saltbox house in Newfoundland

Little Red Saltbox, 18×24, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting of a red blanket twisting in the wind while the ocean roars in the background

High Tide, 36×48, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

A painting a a woman looking into the sunlight, shadows of blinds cast across her face, honouring Ukrainian heritage

Dochka Rising, 36×30, acrylic on canvas – Brandy Saturley

These are 10 of my best contemporary Canadian painting currently available through James Baird Gallery on Artsy. The collection includes paintings made while in residence in Newfoundland on the East Coast of Canada.

Art Collector? Click here to follow me on Artsy

Click here to see more of my Newfoundland paintings.

December 12, 2024

Political Climate and Art Sales

Advice for Art Collectors

How Does Political Climate Affect Art Sales in Canada?

The political climate can have a significant impact on art sales in Canada, as it does in many countries. Several factors related to the political environment can shape both the art market and the demand for different types of art. Here are some key ways the political climate may influence art sales:

1. Government Support for the Arts

Cultural Policy and Funding: Changes in government policy around the arts can directly affect sales. In Canada, the government has traditionally provided funding through organizations like the Canada Council for the Arts. When governments increase funding and support, it creates opportunities for artists to create and showcase work, boosting visibility and sales. Conversely, cuts in funding can limit opportunities, making it harder for artists to sell.
Public Art Programs: Policies that promote public art commissions (e.g., murals, sculptures) can lead to more opportunities for sales, especially for contemporary and local artists.
Brandy Saturley working on mural sized painting at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, 2022

2. Tax Policies

Tax Incentives for Art Buyers: Canadian tax policy can have a direct influence on art sales. For example, when tax incentives favor the purchase of art (e.g., allowing deductions for art acquisitions by corporations), there may be an increase in demand, particularly in the high-end market. Changes in capital gains tax, estate tax, or deductions can encourage or discourage investment in art as an asset.
Tax Breaks for Donations: Policies that encourage donating art to public institutions (such as the ability to claim charitable donations for valuable works) can influence the secondary art market and the behavior of wealthy collectors.
The Art of Brandy Saturley and Ferrari at Victoria Premium Automobiles, Victoria BC 2013

3. National and Global Political Stability

Economic Confidence and Art as Investment: Political instability often affects the economy, and economic downturns tend to reduce discretionary spending. In times of political uncertainty (such as during elections or global trade tensions), buyers may hesitate to make significant purchases, including art. However, in some cases, art is seen as a safe-haven investment, particularly in volatile times, which could increase sales in specific sectors of the art market (especially for blue-chip art).
Trade and International Relations: Canada’s trade agreements and international relations can impact the import and export of art. If international relations are tense or there are restrictive trade policies, this could affect the flow of art between countries and the ability of galleries to showcase international artists, thus influencing sales.

4. Political and Social Movements

Demand for Politically Relevant Art: Political movements, such as environmental activism, Indigenous rights, or social justice movements, can create demand for art that addresses these themes. In Canada, for example, there has been growing interest in Indigenous art, driven in part by movements for reconciliation and decolonization. Art that resonates with current social and political issues often experiences increased visibility and sales.
Censorship and Artistic Freedom: The political environment may affect what types of art are supported or censored. Political climates that favor freedom of expression often foster vibrant art markets, while those that limit expression may constrain the kinds of art that are produced and sold.
On Guard, acrylic on canvas, 2013, Brandy Saturley – Colart Collection Quebec, Canada

5. Global Art Trends

Impact of International Politics: Global political changes, such as shifts in U.S. or European politics, can indirectly influence Canadian art sales. Art collectors are often influenced by global trends, and political upheaval abroad can shift the focus toward Canadian artists, particularly if international markets become less accessible or desirable due to political instability.
End of An Era, 2022 Acrylic On Canvas 60 x 36 x 1.5 in (152.4 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm) Brandy Saturley

6. Public Sentiment and National Identity

Cultural Nationalism: In times of political change, there may be a surge in demand for art that reflects national identity or political values. For instance, during periods of national pride or political shifts, there may be increased interest in art that portrays Canadian landscapes, history, or cultural symbols.
Political Patronage: Political leaders and institutions may become patrons of the arts, either to reflect political messaging or to promote certain cultural values. This can create a market for works that align with specific ideologies or values of the ruling party.

Goalie’s Mask: red, white & Dryden (The Goalies Mask Painting) 2011 Acrylic 48 x 36 x 1.5 in (121.92 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm) Brandy Saturley

In conclusion, the political climate in Canada affects art sales through a combination of cultural policies, economic stability, social movements, and the international art market’s influence. Whether it’s through government support or the evolving tastes of buyers influenced by political trends, the intersection of politics and art remains a dynamic and influential factor in the Canadian art market.

Political Climate and Art Sales – Art That Focuses on National Identity

“I am telling visual stories of my travels in Canada, from Coast to Coast to Coast.” Brandy Saturley is an acclaimed contemporary Canadian Visual Artist widely recognized for her evocative portrayals of Canadian culture, landscapes, people, wildlife, hockey and icons. See more paintings by Brandy Saturley here.

Canadian Visual Artist and Pop Art style painter, Brandy Saturley.

October 16, 2024

Weird Art in Canada

Canadian Art, Canadian Paintings

What Makes Art Unique – Weird Art in Canada

Having recently returned from an art trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico I came home with a new appreciation for the quirky and even absurdities in Art. Weird art captivates our imagination by pushing boundaries and challenging norms. It reveals aspects of life and human creativity that we rarely encounter. From George Condo’s portraits to modern works like Damien Hirst’s pickled shark, these pieces provoke curiosity, intrigue, and sometimes even discomfort. So, in its eccentricity, weird art invites us to explore the unexpected and embrace the unconventional. Making weird art in Canada.

Sometimes referred to as ‘quirk’, ‘lowbrow’ or ‘funny’ – their have been many weird artworks that have captured our attention, for generations, and we are still talking about these works in the contemporary world. Whether it be ‘American Gothic’, The Scream or the melting clocks of Dali, weird art transcends genres and movements and can be found worldwide. Surreal, whimsical, or absurd art provides an escape from mundane reality. It invites us into fantastical worlds, sparking imagination.

In Canada, we are known as having our own quirky brand of humour, that is distinctly our own. Having travelled across the country over the past two decades soaking up the uniqueness that is Canada, I can attest to the weird wonderfulness that is Canada, but this is not reflected in most of our art galleries, which strikes me as odd. As the ‘Iconic Canuck’ I took my weird and quirky Canadianisms on the road and found an audience amongst those who appreciate laughing at themselves and their country. Underlying these quirky visual tales painted on canvas, a serious undertone about our place in the world and thoughts about the future of our country.

The “Canadianisms” series has toured in both Edmonton and Calgary, and has garnered the artist notoriety as the voice of Canadian Pop Art. In her most recent work, Saturley has turned once again to the landscape, never really having left. Her new, visionary paintings collage different, unexpected elements of Canadiana rendered in her characteristic pop aesthetic. They oscillate between a graphic realism used for Canada’s famous mountain peaks or views of forest lakes, and the abstractness of the colorful, even psychedelic backgrounds. The sincerity of their celebration keeps them from tripping over into kitsch. Instead they are otherworldly and transportive, playful and humorous. ~ Andrea Bell, for Whitehot Magazine

For me it is fun to look back at these weird and wonderful ideas that launched me into the Canadian Art Market and with galleries across the country. Some of my weird art serves as a critique of culture, politics, or consumerism. It highlights absurdities and prompts reflection on societal issues. In 2025, I will celebrate 15 years of painting stories of Canada on canvas, and I have a few things up my sleeve. For now, a trip back through these tongue in cheek narratives about a country known for it’s red maple leaf, Mountie’s, syrup of gold, hockey culture, Nanaimo bars and landscapes.

12 Paintings – Making Weird Art in Canada

From stories of the Oilers defeat and trade of Wayne Gretzky to the Stanley Cup. From tales of the Ukrainian experience to the people of the prairies, Canadian celebrities and the fans. These paintings tell quirky Canadian narratives of yesterday and today.

Death of a Rookie – 32×32, acrylic on canvas, 2012 An ode to the Oilers Steve Smith, in the style of Jacques Louis David, referencing The Death of Marat painting created in 1793. “Saturley’s Death of a Rookie, Rise of a Hero is a take on the political painting The Death of Marat by French painter Jacques-Louis David, 1793.

The Story of the Wayne Gretzky Trade – 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2012 Brandy Saturley – Painting of The Oilers on the ice and Janet Jones in goal, with Gretzky transfixed by her gaze. A tale of the Wayne Gretzky trade to the LA Kings.

A Cup for Louise, 22.5×19, acrylic on canvas, 2013 – Brandy Saturley Imagine an afternoon sipping tea in the tearoom of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, out of Canada’s most coveted cup? Having tea with Stanley at Lake Louise.

The Climb, 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2015 – Brandy Saturley This piece speaks to the climb we face in all areas of life through referencing the long climb to achieving the Stanley Cup. The piece carries heavy symbolism with Lawren Harris-esque rocky mountains in the background.

The Eh Team, 36×36, acrylic on canvas, 2013 – Brandy Saturley Painting of a mountie with thumb up in a Fonzie-esque ‘eh’

Perogies in the Wind, 30×24, acrylic on canvas, 2012 – Brandy Saturley Painting of perogies hanging from a clothesline on the Canadian Prairie

Bieberscape 24×30, acrylic on canvas, 2011, Brandy Saturley Painting of Justin Beiber hairstyles that he became famous for early in his career. The hair acts and landscapes on the road through the Nevada desert.

Canada is Sweet & Salty, 24×30, acrylic on canvas, 2011 – Brandy Saturley Painting of a naked Pamela Anderson laying on top of a Mackintosh toffee bar at Peggy’s Cove with puffins.

A song for an Alter Ego, acrylic on canvas, 2011, Brandy Saturley Painting of Burton Cummings and his alter ego, on a trip across his catalogue. A Beatles’esque take on Burton’s inner thoughts.

A Punch Line and an Unknown, 36×48, acrylic on canvas, 2013 – Brandy Saturley A painting on an outdoor hockey rink of a group of hockey buddies wearing the ‘Habs’ famous line jersey numbers, along with a goal tender with a paper bag over his head.

Canadiens Gothic, 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2014 – Brandy Saturley

The original painting the started the People of Canada Portrait Project in 2014, inspired by ‘American Gothic’. “American Gothic (1930) is a painting by American (Iowa) artist Grant Wood. The painting depicts a farmer and someone you may assume to be his wife standing in front of their house. The farmer is dressed simply and holding a pitch fork, the wife is dressed simply as well, adorned by an apron.

In reality, the people in this painting are not as they seem, they are models (artist’s sister and town dentist) that Wood selected to replicate what a typical person living in Iowa would look like. In American Gothic, Wood uses the house and its perspective owners as a satirical outlook on American culture at the time. Saturley’s Canadiens Gothic (from the People of Canada Portrait Project) has a similar setting to Wood’s American Gothic. Shown is a hockey player (Reg) in a Canadiens hockey jersey, holding a hockey stick. Beside him is, we assume, his wife (Penny) wearing a “Hoodie” or a “Bunny Hug” if you are from Saskatchewan. The figures are standing not in front of their home, but in front of a building titled FORUM, “the most storied building in hockey history” and home of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club. Unlike Wood’s American Gothic, the figures in Saturley’s Canadiens Gothic did pose together (selfie taken by Penny) and are a couple living in Manitoba. Replacing the pitch fork with a hockey stick, and replacing the simple but staunch black jacket with a hockey jersey, evokes a level of relaxation on one’s day off.This contrasts the work element (farming) with play (hockey); or, comparatively speaking, a way of life (farming) juxtaposed with the Canadian way of life (hockey). Penny’s attire also gives to the notion of comfort and does not attest to any domestic fortitude

Dreaming in the Colours of Eh, 36×48, acrylic on canvas, 2014 Asleep on an HBC point blanket, the green blanket like a field of emerald grass with red poppies falling from the sky. The poppies made from sheet music of ‘O Canada’. The woman sleeps peacefully with Canada Goose winter hat and ruby red boots, holding a green monopoly house in her right hand. The woman wearing a Vancouver Canucks jersey, but no pants. This piece was created as part of a series referencing the ‘Wizard of Oz’ and my journey home after exhibitions of work in Alberta. Somewhat surrealism, definitely symbolic, this piece tells many stories depending on the viewer. Acrylic painting on canvas with collage.

Remember, art’s impact is subjective, and what’s “weird” varies from person to person. Ultimately, weird art enriches our cultural landscape and invites us to explore the extraordinary.

June 6, 2024

A Trinity in Newfoundland

Artist Process, New Paintings

Painting 15 in A Series about Newfoundland

We were up exploring around Cape Bonavista lighthouse, and by up I mean, above the Avalon Peninsula, where I was based out of during my month in Newfoundland. A three hour and forty minute drive each way, from Pouch Cove Foundation. On our way to the iconic lighthouse and town, I received a text from a friend. Make sure on your return trip you have lunch in Trinity, it’s a quaint little town that really has an old colonial Newfoundland feel. And this is where painting 15, in this series about Newfoundland began, on a lunch stop in a town called Trinity.

Looking down on Trinity, Newfoundland – October 2023, Brandy Saturley

Trinity, nestled along the picturesque Trinity Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador, boasts a rich historical background. Its quaint streets are adorned with a collection of architectural gems, each designated as a Registered Heritage Structure by the esteemed Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. The town’s harbor, a hub of maritime activity since the 16th century, witnessed the arrival of Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real on Trinity Sunday of 1501, bestowing upon the site its enduring name. By the 1570s, Trinity had already established itself as a vital summer outpost for fishermen from England’s West Country, drawn by the abundant riches of the migratory fishery. Beyond its maritime legacy, Trinity holds a place in medical history, serving as the pioneering ground for the introduction of the smallpox vaccine to the New World by John Clinch in 1798.

Unique architecture in Trinity, Newfoundland – October 2023, Brandy Saturley

When we arrived at Trinity it was a ghost town, being Autumn in Newfoundland many places are closing up for the Winter. The restaurant situation is hit and miss this time of year, with no regular hours really being kept in any place we have explored. Immediately I was drawn to the multitude of colourful buildings all situated on a quiet cove. A sparse landscape dotted with colour, the idyllic Newfoundland setting.

A ‘trinity’ of colourful homes in Newfoundland – October 2023, Brandy Saturley

As I was clicking through photos from my trip, I kept returning to the photo above of a ‘trifecta’ of buildings adorned in Easter hues. If I was only going to paint one visual story about this place, this grouping expresses the town in one photo. From the trio of buildings, a ‘trinity’ of it’s own to the unique heritage structures, to the English influence. It is all felt and said in this photo, with the rock and the grass, all I felt that was needed to complete this story was a woman searching for meaning in this historic little town.

Sketching out the underpainting on black gesso ground – Brandy Saturley 2024

For this painting I began with a black gesso ground, something I haven’t done before, and I NEVER use black. Black is something you must be careful with as it can become too graphic and too comic book, I have always veered away from it. I found that with this piece it offered a different way to tackle the plank siding. Rather than being heavy outlines it offers ‘peeks’ into darkness and ultimately was successful in this painting. It gives the painting a sketchbook feel, and I like this for telling the story of this piece. It felt like I was painting on a chalkboard!

Working the angles, a painting in progress. – Brandy Saturley 2024

A poem for the finished painting about Trinity, Newfoundland

Let her wander, fearless, beneath Newfoundland’s vast sky,
In her red toque and yellow slicker, love’s quest does not belie.
For amidst Trinity’s hues, where tales of old abide,
Her love may yet be waiting, in the ebb and flow of tides.

Trinity, 20×20 inches, acrylic and gouache on wood panel, 2024 Brandy Saturley

Learn more about this painting and see additional photo’s here. See all the Newfoundland Paintings here.

April 24, 2024