Mary Brackenbury

I have been a leisure painter all my adult life.

After retirement from a teaching career, I took formal visual arts training at the University of Alberta.  In 2002, I moved to Victoria, British Columbia where I divide my time between painting and writing in and amongst other retirement pursuits.

I am grateful for the very welcome help and encouragement I've received along the way, especially from my husband Jim who prepares my stretcher boards and frames my finished work.

My artistic 'home away from home' is the Victoria Sketch Club and it is a great joy to participate in their activities.

My work is represented at the University of Alberta as well as in private collections in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and, Ontario.   

 I have followed my own path along  the way.  My influences and heroes have always been Ted Harrison, Emily Carr and Lawren Harris. 

 My style has gradually evolved over time.  Images included on this site bear testament to those changes. 

 I am inspired by my environment, transforming my images from realistic to abstract, but keeping some references to the real world. Sketches are usually followed by watercolours, then acrylic on canvas.  The final coat is water solvable oils, the dried canvas is varnished. 

• 2022, 2023 - group show with Victoria Sketch Club
• 2021 - joint show with Laura Brackenbury, Goward House
• 2018, 2019 – group show with Victoria Sketch Club
• 2016 - joint show with Laura Brackenbury, Goward House         
• 2009 – joint show with Laura Brackenbury, Goward House 
• 2007 -  joint show with Laura Brackenbury, Cedar Hill Rec Centre
• 2006 – solo show, Saanich Municipal Hall
• 2004 –solo show, Saanich Municipal Hall
• 2004 – solo show, Goward House
• 2002 – Completed requirements for Certificate in Fine Arts, University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension