Meet the Artists
I mostly paint in water color. I like that it is unpredictable. My favorite topics are nature and children.
Chantal Banda is a Saskatchewan-based painter and photographer whose work serves as a gentle protest and a remedy in an increasingly divided world. Through her expressive landscapes and botanical studies, she offers an invitation to a "collective exhale," drawing viewers away from the rush of daily life and into a space of contemplative stillness.
Banda’s journey into the visual arts was uniquely catalyzed through her role as a homeschooling mother to her three children. What began as a shared exploration of creativity and discovery within her home evolved into a profound personal calling to capture the "hush and pulse" of the natural world. This transition into a professional art practice is anchored by an extensive academic foundation in the health sciences; Banda holds an Honors degree in Human Physiology, a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Experimental Surgery with a doctoral focus on Type 1 Diabetes research.
This rigorous background brings a unique fusion of scientific discipline and soulful storytelling to her canvas. She views the study of artistic principles—such as color theory, composition, and the behavior of light—as a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to observing life at its most fundamental levels. Whether she is painting expansive prairie horizons or the intricate details of a single bloom, Banda focuses on capturing inherent luminosity rather than literal representation, seeking the quiet, radiant energy available to everyone equally.
For Banda, creativity is the thread that weaves together her diverse roles as a researcher, educator, and mother. Her work stands as a testament to the healing presence of nature and the shared sense of gratitude that unites us all.
For me, art has been a way to digest life’s changes and gives me the balance I need to wake up and interact with my world, inspired and grateful for each new opportunity to explore.
I want to be pulled into a piece of art deeply exploring every nuance and to meditate on the message that is for me alone. Each viewer receives an intimate message from the same piece of abstracted art. It is not about knowing the person that painted the artwork; rather it’s about learning something personal and heartfelt in that moment.
It has taken me a very long time to discover the language of my art and to honor it for what it is…it is authentic to me alone, like a fingerprint! And it is ok for each painting to be different because each day unfolds with a new perspective to be witnessed.
Art is for lifting up, for sharing, and for communicating with passion and playfulness.
Corla practices her art as a meditative process in her home studio in Saskatoon, SK. and with Saskatoon Painters Club and Blue Sky Collective
My name is Corrie Iskra. I took my first art lesson at Hues in April 2024, after realizing that my sewing projects often looked like my cat had taken over halfway through. Under the kind guidance of Ann Donald and the encouragement of other accomplished artists in Saskatoon, I quickly began to grow in my artistic abilities.
My skills expanded further when I joined two painting groups: the Prairie River Artists and the Blue Sky Collective. My artistic style leans towards realism and detail, with a focus on bringing quiet moments to life.
I live with a neurological disorder that causes constant pain and affects my memory and focus. Some days, I can only paint for a few minutes and some paintings feel like they will take forever to complete. In light of these challenges, art has become an important part of my life and health journey.
I'm especially drawn to subjects that evoke fond memories, whether it is a captivating structure, an animal, or delicious food. I try to capture those emotions in each piece, hoping they connect with others in a meaningful way.
Thank you for taking the time to view my work. I hope it brings you the same sense of connection and joy that I've found in creating it.
Irene was born in Vancouver, (1957) & has lived in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. She obtained her B.Sc & B.Ed from University of Calgary. She has worked as a scientific illustrator for the Universities of Calgary and Saskatchewan, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. Her works have been shown in galleries in BC, at Hope, Agassiz, and Harrison Hot Springs.
Nature, seasons, and landscapes have been recurring themes in her personal work. Though primarily a self-taught artist, Irene has been recently developing and refining her skills, through courses at the University of Saskatchewan's USCAD program, plein aire excursions offered through Hues Art Supply, and weekly painting sessions with the Saskatoon Painters Club
Email: irenehughes948@gmail.com
Phone: 306-292-0829
Joan Falk was born, grew up, and continues to lives in Dundurn, Saskatchewan. The prairies have always fascinated her. The sheer beauty and vastness of the landscape is her muse. When she walks out of Dundurn each day, she captures glimpses of the fascinating scenery along Mawson Trail. She enjoys exploring this theme in her art work.
Karen Trimble was born in Calgary, Alberta, and moved to Saskatoon in 2002, where she studied studio art and art history at the University of Saskatchewan.
An avid traveler, Karen finds endless inspiration in the beauty of the natural world. Traveling with her husband and three children has deepened her appreciation for the landscapes and places that surround her.
Horticulture, like art, has shaped Karen’s creative focus. She embraces the challenges presented by both fields, which encourage continuous learning and allow her work to evolve (primarily using oils and acrylics).
Karen is a member of Blue Sky Art Collective, with works on display at The University Club in Saskatoon and Lloydminster Museum + Archives. Also, she is an Exhibiting Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Her work has previously been exhibited at Big Bright Studio, Mann Art Gallery, Warman Arts Center, City Hospital, Heartworks, and the Saskatoon Field House.
Katriona was born and raised in Saskatoon. She spent her childhood enjoying Northern Saskatchewan and all it has to offer. She developed a love of nature, especially birds, and enjoys both spending time in nature and expressing its beauty through paint and photography.
When she isn't painting with her friends, you can find her at the kitchen table, creating art with her three kids or playing board games as a family. She is also an avid fitness lover, teaching fitness classes at the gym and lifting up heavy things, then putting them back down again.
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.
My name is Patricia Saunders and for decades I have been an avid viewer of visual art. My own work ranges from oil painting in the winter season ( for it's slow relaxing and small-scale focus opportunities), to the summer fun of acrylic paint and larger scale mixed media. Admired instructors of greatest influence include Patrick Trayor (composition and color theory), Anne McElroy (abstract techniques and interpretive viewing), Carol Wylie (portraiture and figure drawing), Aarin Rinas (oil painting), and Jennifer Chen (drawing and still life). Some most valuable literature resources in my learning journey are by Betty Edwards, Todd Casey, Kimon Nicoladae, Andrew Tischler, and, P11 group. My personal favorite subject areas include florals, still life, portraits, history paintings, geometry, and abstract landscapes.
My artwork is informed by literature, travels, and all of life surrounding us. The elements of composition, color, light/shadow, and the seven great contrasts are most gripping and satisfying to my cognitive process. Always the greatest joy of Art has come from the viewing process itself, which includes the essential perspective of observing an Art piece with many different eyes, then analyzing its elements of design, followed by a discussion of the artist's intentions, messaging, and point of view. Numerous connections are derived from walking through this process for a single Art piece. If you would like to know more about me in terms of production rate, shows, sales, and memberships please feel free to contact me. It is an honor to be part of the BlueSky Art Collective, and to learn from the remarkable talents and experiences of its members.
Please feel free to contact me at BigBrightStudio by email patricia.saunders2015@outlook.com