Winter Rocky Mountain Paintings

Snow on the Rocky Mountains: A Winter Wonderland – 4 New Mountain Paintings

As an artist, road trips are more than journeys—they’re a source of endless inspiration. One of my favorite drives is through the majestic Rocky Mountains along the Continental Divide between British Columbia and Alberta. Winter transforms this route into a magical, snow-draped wonderland, where every turn reveals a scene straight out of a fairytale. While the journey can be treacherous, it’s worth braving for the breathtaking beauty that feeds my creative soul.

Rocky Mountains near Lake Louise, November 2024 – photo by Brandy Saturley

Armed with my Nikon DSLR and iPhone for capturing both stills and video, I return to my Victoria, BC studio with my imagination overflowing. These towering, snow-cloaked Rockies leave an indelible impression, sparking the urge to translate their grandeur onto canvas.

Lake Minnewanka, November 2024 – photo by Brandy Saturley

For years, the mountains have served as supporting characters in my paintings, grounding my work with a sense of place and time. But lately, they’ve stepped into the spotlight. The Rockies—particularly the stunning peaks of Banff National Park, Lake Louise, and Jasper—are undeniable stars of the Canadian landscape. There’s something humbling and exhilarating about standing in their shadow, where the vastness of nature makes you feel both small and inspired.

Castle Mountain, November 2024 – photo by Brandy Saturley

The feeling of being in these mountains is transformative. It’s as though you’ve stepped into a magical land, leaving the ordinary world behind. The crisp, fresh air fills your lungs with a sense of renewal. These snow-dusted giants stir a childlike joy, as if the mountains are inviting you to ski, sleigh, or simply marvel. It’s a scene straight out of a holiday movie—dreamlike, yet utterly real.

Bow River Valley, November 2024 – photo by Brandy Saturley

After my most recent trip, I immersed myself in the studio, bringing to life four new landscape paintings that celebrate my favorite peaks: Sawtooth, Lake Minnewanka, Temple, and Paradise Valley. In this growing series of Rocky Mountain paintings, I use bold, pop-art outlines and vivid, energetic colors to capture the essence of these wintery scenes. Shadows and light take on an abstract, graphic quality, while the compositions remain rooted in the signature pop-realism style that defines my work.

Four Winter Rocky Mountain Paintings, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

These pieces are designed to uplift and brighten any space, embodying the magic and majesty of the Rockies in winter. Each painting invites the viewer to step into a vibrant, snowy world—where nature reigns supreme, and wonder is always just beyond the next peak.

Brandy Saturley in her Victoria BC studio.

If the Rocky Mountains captivate you as much as they do me, I invite you to explore these paintings and see the mountains through my artist’s lens.

Minnewanka Muse, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2024, Brandy Saturley

Sawtooth, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2024, Brandy Saturley

Paradise, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2024, Brandy Saturley

Temple Top, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2024 Brandy Saturley

These paintings are available through my Banff Gallery, Willock & Sax – see the full collection of work available through the gallery here.

December 10, 2024

Hudson’s Bay Blanket Paintings

New Paintings

Why Are We So Wrapped Up in the Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket? These Paintings Offer a Glimpse

The iconic stripes and colors of the Hudson’s Bay point blanket are woven into the fabric of Canadian history, culture, and memory. For many Canadians, the blanket is more than just an object; it is a symbol of identity and tradition. Growing up in Canada, some of my fondest memories include shopping at Christmas time with my mom at The Bay, marveling at the vibrant displays of merchandise. In the summer, my dad would take me to the soda shop on the top floor, where I savored chocolate malts. Our family owned a couple of Bay blankets, often tucked away in the car for road trips or kept handy in case of emergencies.

These blankets, with their classic green, red, yellow, and indigo stripes, carry a rich legacy that is both nostalgic and complicated. Today, Canadians are much more aware of the cultural significance and origins of the blanket, particularly its connection to the fur trade and its interactions with Indigenous peoples. This understanding adds a new layer of meaning to an object that many of us once considered just a cozy household item.

West Coast Solitudes, 48×36 acrylic on canvas, 2022 – Brandy Saturley

History of the Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket

The Hudson’s Bay point blanket has a history that stretches back to the late 18th century. First introduced by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1779, these blankets became a staple of the fur trade, often exchanged for beaver pelts and other goods. The “points,” small woven lines on the edge of the blanket, indicated its size and value, making it a practical item for trade.

These blankets were highly sought after for their warmth, durability, and versatility. They became symbols of colonial commerce but also of complex relationships between settlers and Indigenous communities. While the blankets provided essential warmth, they were also implicated in the darker history of colonization, including their distribution during the fur trade era.

Feathers Over Blanket, 12×12 acrylic on canvas, 2016 – Brandy Saturley

Role of the Blanket in Modern Culture

Today, the Hudson’s Bay point blanket remains an enduring emblem of Canada, appearing in homes, films, and fashion. The iconic stripe design has been reimagined in everything from coats to coffee mugs. However, its history is now viewed through a more critical lens, prompting discussions about cultural appropriation and the legacy of the fur trade. For many, the blanket represents a shared heritage that invites reflection on Canada’s complex past and evolving identity.

Floating Away, 30×24, acrylic on canvas, 2018 – Brandy Saturley

Paintings by Brandy Saturley Featuring the Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket

As a painter deeply inspired by Canadian iconography, the Hudson’s Bay point blanket has found its way into my work as a recurring motif. Its bold stripes serve not only as a design element but also as a storyteller, evoking both personal nostalgia and broader cultural narratives.

Dreaming in The Colours of Eh, 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2014 – Brandy Saturley

In one painting, the stripes cascade across the canvas, framing a contemporary still life. In another, they become a backdrop for symbols of resilience and identity, like a canoe or a pair of hiking boots. Each painting transforms the blanket into a conversation—about history, about place, and about what it means to be Canadian today.

On Guard, 36×48 acrylic on canvas, 2014 – Brandy Saturley

These works are not just about a blanket; they’re about the layers of meaning it carries. From childhood memories of warmth and security to the cultural stories it represents, the Hudson’s Bay point blanket is a lens through which I explore the Canadian experience.

You Can Ride My Wake, 36×48 acrylic on canvas, 2014 – Brandy Saturley

Here are a several more of my paintings that feature the Hudson’s Bay point blanket—each one a reflection of its timeless appeal and its place in our collective consciousness.

Transfixed, 12×12 acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

HBC Toes 24×30 acrylic on canvas, 2012 – Brandy Saturley

HBC Skull 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2012 – Brandy Saturley

INDOM, 24 x 18 acrylic and oil on wood, 2023 – Brandy Saturley

With Hearts on Our Sleeves, 40×30, acrylic on canvas, 2017 – Brandy Saturley

Wrapped Up, 12×12 acrylic and oil on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

Wreath of Irony, 36×36 acrylic on wood panel, 2020 – Brandy Saturley

November 25, 2024

Essence of Outdoor Hockey on Canvas

New Paintings

Capturing the Essence of Outdoor Hockey on Canvas – Skating on Frozen Lakes

There’s something exhilarating about skating and playing hockey outdoors—especially on a glacial lake at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The crisp air, the sound of blades cutting through natural ice, and the solitude of nature make it a magical experience. Sometimes referred to as the outdoor rink and pond hockey. Over the years, I’ve painted several pieces inspired by the joy of skating outdoors. It’s a subject that has captivated me, perhaps because, as a Vancouver Islander, I rarely get to experience it myself. If we’re lucky, we might get a few days of thin ice on a farmer’s field, but nothing like the frozen expanses of Canada’s interior. Capturing the essence of outdoor hockey on canvas, takes observation and imagination.

Skaters enjoy outdoor Saanich ice rink on farming land

For those lucky enough to live near the Rocky Mountains—whether in Canada or the USA—this winter pastime is more than just a sport. Hockey on outdoor lakes and ponds is a tradition that connects people to the landscape and each other.

Skating outdoors at Lake Louise

My latest painting captures the essence of this experience. It shows a young boy lacing up his hockey skates while sitting on the ice, just inside the crease of the goaltender’s net. A black rubber puck rests beside him, while his hockey stick stands upright, buried in the snow, ready for action. In the background, snowy mountain peaks rise into the distance, and the golden light of late afternoon bathes the scene. It’s a moment of peaceful solitude, a late-day skate on a frozen lake that he has all to himself.

This imagery brings to mind Wayne Gretzky’s stories of his childhood, where he was always the first on the outdoor rink and the last to leave. His passion for hockey was innate—an unshakeable part of who he was. I can relate to that sense of drive. As an artist, painting has always been my constant companion. It’s as much a part of me as my own arm, inseparable from my identity.

Last One Out – 34×30, acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

I hope this painting takes you back to those carefree moments of childhood—or perhaps inspires you to lace up your skates and hit the ice. Outdoor hockey is more than a game; it’s a celebration of winter, community, and the joy of simple pleasures. Learn more about this painting here.

November 18, 2024

Honouring Remembrance Day 2024

New Paintings, Remembrance Day Art

Honouring Remembrance Day 2024: A Symbolic Tribute in Denim

As Remembrance Day 2024 approaches, we pause honouring courage, sacrifices, and lives that shape our world today. This year, I’ve created a painting that is both a personal tribute and a shared symbol, capturing the essence of Remembrance Day through a close-up image of a denim jacket pocket—a canvas that speaks to the every human, worn by everyday people. On one corner of the pocket rests a small red poppy, Canada’s enduring symbol of remembrance, and beside it, three tiny buttons painted in red: one marked with a peace sign, another with a heart for love, and the last with a maple leaf for Canada. Each icon tells its own story, yet together they form a message of hope, solidarity, and unity.

Example of Remembrance Day painting on wall and with red frame.

The denim or jean jacket has its own quiet, resilient symbolism. Where uniforms of war can signal a particular allegiance, denim is a common thread, a fabric of the everyday that wraps around us all, a universal garment. Whether for work, comfort, or expression, denim has become the uniform of the “every human”—a piece of clothing that connects people across borders, standing as a testament to resilience, durability, and familiarity. With this piece, I wanted to evoke that sense of shared experience and connection, making the denim jacket not just a piece of attire but a statement of common ground among us all.

The poppy pin holds its place in the composition with reverence, bringing to mind the countless stories of bravery and sacrifice that mark Canada’s history. Its red hue, striking and solemn, is a reminder to reflect not only on past conflicts but also on the ongoing wish for peace worldwide. The three red buttons add a quieter yet equally potent voice to the painting. The peace sign is a prayer for calm and understanding among all people, the heart an emblem of love and compassion, and the maple leaf a tribute to Canada’s ideals, values, and commitment to peacekeeping.

This painting is not only about remembering those who served but also about honoring the enduring desire for a world where we are all connected in humanity. It’s a small reminder of the importance of praying for each other, even for those we may never meet, and holding in our hearts the hope for a better future, especially in uncertain times.

This Remembrance Day, may we all take a moment to acknowledge our shared humanity, to remember those who have come before us, and to embrace the collective aspiration for peace. Whether we wear a jacket or a uniform, a poppy on our lapel, or simply a memory in our hearts, we are bound by our shared stories, dreams, and hopes for a brighter, more peaceful tomorrow.

Say A Little Prayer, acrylic on canvas, 18×24, Brandy Saturley, 2024

See more photos of the painting and purchase here.

See 10 paintings about Remembrance Day here.

November 1, 2024

Vivid Autumn Leaf Paintings

Georgia O'Keeffe, New Paintings

Four Vivid Paintings for Autumn – Maple Leaf and More

It is a time of year that fills us with warmth on crisp days, these vivid Autumn leaf paintings express my love for this season. For an artist who paints the colour palette of gold to red and green is a feast for the eyes and the soul. I walk daily outside and sometimes I collect these leaves for my studio, I find the endless shapes and colour variations incredibly fascinating. The warmth of Autumn is a part of the spectrum I only seem to paint in the Fall, and with good reason, there is subject matter abounds.

Over the years autumn leaves have found their way into my paintings and the subject of fall and Thanksgiving something that brings joy and celebration with loved ones. The first paintings of Fall and leaves that drew my attention were that of American modernist painter, Georgia O’Keeffe, on our recent trip to Santa Fe and the home and studio of O’Keeffe I was joyful to see her garden and collections of stones, skulls and the trees that lined her property. At the Georgia O’Keeffe museum I was able to view many of her remarkable pieces live, including many informed by nature and of course the fall leaves. I was particularly drawn to this painting, Dark and Lavender Leaves, as it almost resembles a flame in the dark, something also representative of the Autumn season with cracking outdoor fires and indoor fireplaces.

Dark and Lavender Leaves, Georgia O’Keeffe, 1931 – Oil on canvas, 20 x 17 inches New Mexico Museum of Art Museum of Fine Arts

Here are four paintings that embrace the colours of Autumn, nature and leaves. From sugar maple to Japanese red, these still life paintings emit the joy of Autumn.

Two maple leaf still life paintings by Brandy Saturley. Golden Maple and Six Point Leaf, 2016

Red Red Maple, acrylic on canvas painting of Japanese maple leaves by Brandy Saturley, 2007

Family Tree, acrylic on canvas painting of family hugging tree in an Autumn, 2024 SEE MORE HERE

See more paintings by Brandy Saturley here.

October 10, 2024

Elusive Moose Paintings

New Paintings

Paintings of the Elusive Moose, Inconceivable!

When it comes to spotting a moose in Canada, it can be a daunting task. I have explored Canada from coast to coast to coast and I have yet to cross paths with this magical beast. Though I know one day we will meet, I have seen plenty of documentaries about this gargantuan icon of Canada. While death by moose is a very real thing in Newfoundland, thankfully we haven’t faced down a moose on the road. Here are two new paintings that tell stories of the moose in his own element.

In these most recent paintings the moose features both prominently and elusively. My goal was to capture the magic, folklore and playful nature of this beautiful beast.

Inconceivable Mooseness: in this vertical painting we see the moose front and centre in the grassy marshlands adorned with flowers and strands of grass. He is surrounded by a magical landscape of mountains to water and wispy cloud summer sky. The landscape is dotted with tiny points of light of many colours, perhaps symbolizing fireflies and other creatures and reflections in the water. This painting while a vivid pop art palette and rendering, carries a soft and playful feel.

Spirited Island: there is an island called ‘Spirit’ in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. In Maligne Lake, it is a view many people associate with the Canadian Rockies. The Island is a spiritual place for the Stony Nakoda First Nation who believe mountains are physical representations of ancestors. Peter Gales’ image of Spirit Island hung in New York City’s Grand Central terminal in the 1960’s. It was my time to render this landscape into my series of paintings about my adventures in Canada. The painting features the island central with red canoe on the shore of the island and a moose on the far side. Paddling on your own to this magical spot can take four hours each way. In the foreground the emerald waters swirl around a rock with a pine seedling, some floating maple leaves and some magical pop art details of dots and vivid hard edged palette. The painting is electric and alive, much like the live location.

See more paintings by Brandy Saturley inspired by the Canadian Landscape and wildlife here.

October 2, 2024

Jasper Alberta Paintings

Canadian Paintings, New Paintings

An Ode to Jasper, Alberta – Paintings That Celebrate A Special Place

With Jasper on our minds and in our hearts it was time to put brush to canvas and make some paintings that express my love for the beauty of this special place filled with Rocky Mountains and wonderous road trips in Alberta.

What better way to traverse these landscapes than in a cherry red Tesla, where no sound and no fumes are created, impeding the enjoyment of this pristine place of wild momentous beauty. Autumn colours and golden hour highlights the curves and shapes of the hard and soft edges where the road, meets the tree-line and then rises to the Rocky Mountains.

Over the years we have enjoyed many road trips through beautiful Jasper, Banff and much of the Rocky Mountains, lakes and prairies province of Alberta. There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you are dwarfed by nature and feel so small against the powerful giants as their peaks play with the clouds and light of these rapidly changing skies. Brisk forest air and wildlife abounds in these landscapes offering discovery around every corner.

Here are two recent paintings featuring views from the passenger seat and through the window.

Sound of Silence: painting of mountains and forest from the road entering Jasper National Park

Momentous: painting of mountains driving through Jasper National Park featuring red Tesla

Paintings for Mountain Lovers: Nine Paintings from Jasper to Banff, Alberta

Earlier paintings by Brandy Saturley featuring imagery inspired by Banff and the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. From BC to Alberta, including Mount Robson the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and Waterton Lakes. From glacial peaks in Banff National Park to Lake Louise. Nine paintings capture the exhilaration of the peaks they depict. The series originally titled, ‘I See Mountains’ offers supersaturated palettes and vivid pop art outlines. Like neon signs, these mountains vibrate and light up any room.

September 19, 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

High on Canada Drive

Artist Process, New Paintings

High on Canada Drive – A Painting About Icebergs in Newfoundland

When I am working as an artist abroad, and on the road, I don’t drive. This leaves me with the opportunity to soak it all up and take notice of things around me, looking for the next opportunity to ditch the car and jump out for a few moments to capture something that catches my eye. I spend a great deal of time as the passenger, on the roads of this continuing journey of Art.

I have always been interested by this perspective, looking through a windshield that sometimes reflects the sunlight, takes on bug splatter, and various elements of weather as we drive across Canada. The photos and video I capture on these trips offering views from the rear view and sometimes a wiper gets caught in the frame. Even when I am captive in a long line of city traffic, there is something to shoot, even if it’s my Nikon on my lap, captured by my iPhone. I am always getting high on the energy of this drive across Canada.

Driving to Tors Cove, Newfoundland – October 2023

With my latest figurative landscape painting, I chose to focus on this perspective from the passenger seat. I found this photo on my iPhone that I took while stopped at an intersection in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. Naturally, being the Canadiana enthusiast I am, I had to take this photo of a sign called Canada Drive. As we waited what seemed like eternity at this intersection, my mind began to drift on the subject of Canada Drive, and then I heard a song come over the Sirius satellite radio.

“Lounging in the living room in long johns
More distant than Victoria to Saint John’s
Trying to use a record to repair my heart
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to start again, my friend

You’re leaving me high and Canada dry
I’m out of your head and I’m losing my mind
Listening to Neil is making me cry
You’re leaving me high and Canada dry.”

Canada Dry is a song by the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Barenaked Ladies, from the album, Fake Nudes. I’ve long been a fan of the Ladies, since their very first album, through their break up and re-launch into the world, when I felt like they were leaving us high and Canada Dry.

Brandy Saturley studio – April 2024

Coming home to Victoria, sitting in my studio with feet up and a few finished paintings about Newfoundland, I stared at a new wood panel ready to take on a story through use of acrylic and oil paints. It was April and my friends in Twillingate were hailing the arrival of iceberg season. With my Apple playlist set to the best of the Barenaked Ladies, these lyrics began to penetrate my mind and my eyes began to see the next painting. I saw beautiful glacial teal coloured bergs, against a complimentary orange/red sunset sky, with this street sign of Canada Drive. Rather than paint the entire traffic light I chose to focus on the red light, against this intersection with the icebergs towering high above the sign. While you would never likely see icebergs from this Newfoundland locale, it does offer pause about the climate and the Earth.

Detail view, High on Canada Drive, acrylic and oil on wood panel, 2024 Brandy Saturley

When the painting was finished and I was searching for the title, I was going to go with Canada Drive, for obvious reasons. But that just wasn’t right to me, and instead as I listened to ‘Canada Dry’ over and over I found the title. High on Canada Drive, referencing the height of the icebergs towering over the city, and also if you were to see icebergs from this vantage point, you may be high on life, a dream or some mind altering substance. Or perhaps you’re just an Artist making sense of the world.

High on Canada Drive, Oil and Acrylic on Wood Panel, 12 x 36 x 2 in, 2024, Brandy Saturley

More details and high resolution photos of the painting here.

April 22, 2024

Art Deco in Canada

Artist Process, New Paintings

A Painting About Newfoundland – Celebrating Art Deco in Canada

When I set out to explore and photograph St. John’s Newfoundland, I expected to find the vividly painted character homes on the iconic Jelly Bean Row and the Battery of the harbour. What I did not expect was to fall for a building that would transport me back to my days as a teenager when I would watch sockless Don Johnson in his white linen suits, on Miami Vice. As soon as I walked up to the side door of South Beach Residences, I could hear the sounds of Jan Hammer and feel the warmth and swaying palms of Miami, and then the cold Newfoundland wind knocked me back to reality. Art Deco in Canada is very much alive, and not just in Newfoundland.

South Beach Residences, side door – St. John’s Newfoundland 2023 – Brandy Saturley

What exactly is Art Deco? The Canadian Art Deco Society describes it as a 20^th century phenomenon that emerged during the period between the First and Second World Wars. It was a new style for a new modern era. Combining the affluence of materials with the artistic simplicity of specific design, the Art Deco style often focused on geometric forms composed primarily of angular elements, like highly stylized chevrons and zig-zags. Other characteristics of Art Deco include: sunbursts, sweeping curves, ziggurats (staggered or tiered pyramid shapes), a liberal use of sleek-looking material, as well as Egyptian influences and motifs focusing on birds and floral patterns. Recognized as a popular, non-revolutionary modernism, Art Deco was a self-conscious split from the past.

South Beach Residences, Newfoundland, Canada – Brandy Saturley 2023

When I was in Toronto delivering my goalie’s mask painting to the Canadian Olympic Committee Art of Sport event, I found myself at the old Maple Leaf Gardens building , which is now a Loblaws, amongst other things. Few may realize that one of Canada’s most celebrated sporting venues, Maple Leaf Gardens National Historic Site of Canada (below), is an example of Art Deco architecture. This Toronto landmark exhibits the style through its symmetrical yellow brick façade and dome with crowning lantern. Other prominent characteristics of Art Deco within the Gardens include its simple brickwork pattern, and use of metal along the building’s patterned window arrangement. Many of the original fittings, fixtures, fabric and design components relate to the Toronto Maple Leafs and survive to this day, contributing to the heritage value of the building which is now a rehabilitated building, housing a local grocery store and upper floor arena.

Maple Leaf Gardens – Brandy Saturley 2013

Painting South Beach Residences – Art Deco in Canada

As my work continues on this new series about my time exploring Newfoundland in late 2023, I am flipping back through moments, photographs and things that made an undeniable impression on my psyche. These things that draw my attention are the things that become part of my visual storytelling in their own way and in a time that means something to my work. When I found this photo I had taken and decided that this would be the subject matter for the next painting, I then began to delve deep into the history of this building holding my attention.

Brandy Saturley in studio, Victoria, Canada – 2024

Built Before Newfoundland Became Part of Canada
In the optimism which followed the end of WWII, local architect William J. Ryan designed and built the first Art Deco building in what was then the Dominion of Newfoundland. Completed in 1947, with a building envelope constructed with concrete, mixed and poured by hand, its distinctive and creative form stood in strong contrast to the local architectural vernacular. Over the years, South Beach became home to architects, a radio station, a bookstore, and an art gallery. Which brings us to today, and the six years it’s taken to restore and transform this exceptionally well engineered building into the modern Residences of South Beach.

It’s been a labour of love. Today, the iconic Art Deco landmark is known and loved far and wide. Pedestrians stop for selfies. Filmmakers and artists celebrate its design and colour palette. Morawetz included it in his ‘Art Deco Architecture Across Canada, by Tim Morawetz’. A captivating book showcasing more than 150 Canadian Art Deco buildings.