Alyssa Penner

Alyssa Penner is a Canadian artist and local Campbell River BC shop. She paints acrylic and watercolour landscape, still life, abstract and floral paintings. Scroll down to learn more about Alyssa and her artwork.

What inspired you to start your business?

I have been an artist my entire life and have worked hard to make it into a career for myself since high school.

How would you describe your business?

I am a Vancouver land artist so my artwork work is heavily inspired by the natural surroundings I see everyday. My artwork has a whimsical element that is taken from my love of fairies and my imagination as well as my desire to be expressive in my mark marking. I enjoy creating artwork that inspires or moves the human soul. I create mostly landscapes but I l also love diving into other subjects like flowers, still life, Wildlife and fairy figures. My art has been described by others as colourful, vibrant, and nostalgic.

I work in many mediums, however acrylic on canvas is my main choice. I love to get my ideas and marks down quickly so acrylic is usually ideal for my process. When I feel like a challenge I will try something different, I’m not afraid to learn new techniques and explore new subjects and or mediums.

I did attend college for art for a little while however with social media coming into play, I left. I would be considered a self taught artist but we are always learning from those who came before us or our peers so I wouldn’t want to discount that. In my opinion, everything you learn will add more opportunities, skills and unlock new ideas in your artistic journey.

One of the questions asked in this artist feature is what make my business unique? Well, I would say my bussiness is me, am am the art. Every artist puts their soul into what they create and it comes out as an extremely unique offering to the world. There will be no other artist exactly like me, because a you can’t duplicate a person.

I offer originals of course, but I have been working hard to create a collection of prints, greeting cards and anything that resonates with my art. I also teach in person classes once in awhile. I enjoy working with other businesses as well. They display my art and I enjoy sharing their small business with the world. I make sure all my reproductions are made in Canada and are quality so they last and look as best as they can be.

What are your bestselling products?

My prints and originals, particularly my landscape artwork.

Why do you think these paintings resonate so much with people?

My landscapes resonates with so many Canadians from sea to sea because so many have ether been to Vancouver Island or grew up on Vancouver Island. They usually live far away and miss it deeply or had a real deep connection with the natural landscapes here. I have also heavily promoted my landscapes because they are the main subjects I create. I love to share where I take my inspiration from and I think that really has an impact on people.

I work in bright colours so naturally there is a calming and happy feeling effect on anyone enjoying my paintings. When the world gets hard, it’s nice to have something light or nostalgic to be around. Bright colour mixed with whimsical landscapes just adds a bit of personality, joy and wonder to a space.

I also wanted to add, I really love creating a connection with my collectors. I love hearing their stories and bits of their life. So if you order anything from me I always love to hear feedback and what made you inspired to take home a piece of my artist journey.

What’s your personal favourite product?

This is a hard question but I would have to say currently my new original painting called “Curiosity of Life”. This painting is a pivotal one to me because it combines everything I love to bring into the world in one peice. It’s fun, it’s whimsical, it’s a statement and it has a big personality. That painting is also a bit scary for me personally. I created somthing so out of the box and it pushed my creative boundaries a bit. It dares me to bring it out and brave the comments from others. What makes it my favourite is that it’s a painting that may bring more like it or in the very least bring me more confidence leading me into a new era of my work.

What are your favourite local British Columbia business?

This is a hard question as well, haha. I love all the businesses I work with but the business I work with the most right now is the Crows Nest Collective in Campbell River. They offer art classes, events and sell many local artist’s work.