Charlene Kolesnik

Char is a Canadian landscape and wildlife artist whose work radiates with vibrant colour and emotional connection, celebrating the places that inspire her most. Through her paintings, she captures the beauty of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, Calgary’s foothills, and scenes from her favourite trails and biking routes. These are the places she knows intimately as an avid mountain and road cyclist. With more than 20 years of experience in the creative industry, Char's background in journalism let to a successful career in graphic and web design, corporate communications and media design, including ten years of fulfilling creative roles with the Calgary Herald and Postmedia Content Works. Her deep passion for art and storytelling eventually guided her toward a full-time fine art practice, where she now explores the expressive potential of oils and acrylics. Life has taught her to notice the quiet strength in light, especially in challenging seasons. As a survivor of breast and thyroid cancer, Char carries a deep appreciation for resilience, hope, and the beauty found in everyday moments. That perspective naturally finds its way into her paintings, where light often becomes the hero of the story. Known for her kaleidoscope style, Char’s paintings are alive with intricate patterns, unexpected colour combinations, and the soft, dreamlike quality she calls her “cotton candy skies.” Her work invites viewers into a world of colour and light, offering a fresh way to experience familiar landscapes. Before each piece begins, Char prepares her canvas with a quiet ritual that sets the tone for her work. She writes positive affirmations on the blank surface in light acrylic paint, creating a foundation of intention and optimism. This simple act centres her mindset and reflects her belief that art has the power to uplift, connect, and inspire. Although she is professionally trained in design, Char is self-taught as a painter, inspired by the Group of Seven, Van Gogh, Monet, and the many talented artists she calls friends. She paints from her cozy “Cabin in the Woods” studio in Calgary, surrounded by Douglas fir trees overlooking a peaceful nature reserve. Char’s work has been exhibited in juried shows and public venues and is held in private and corporate collections across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. She is a proud juried member of the Oil Painters of America, the Federation of Canadian Artists and an active member of the Calgary Sketch and Painting Club. Through her work, Char hopes to create paintings that bring warmth, light and a sense of place into the homes of those who collect them.