“I enjoy capturing the essence of whatever I paint – whether it’s the beauty of nature, the emotion of an intuitive painting, or the memories held within a cherished home.”

My artistic journey began in the temperate rainforests of coastal British Columbia. From Port Alberni to Prince Rupert, and now Vancouver, the forests, mountains and coastline have shaped both my life and my art.

My mother had a remarkable ability to notice beauty in the smallest moments. During our walks she would often stop and say, “Look how the light shines through those leaves. Isn’t that beautiful?” She taught me to appreciate the quiet moments that many people pass by without noticing. She also introduced me to the world of art, sharing her love of artists such as Vincent van Gogh and, later, the paintings and writings of Emily Carr. As I travelled, I was deeply inspired by the Impressionists. Seeing Van Gogh’s paintings in person was unforgettable. I was captivated by his journey as an artist, and in his later works, his bold, expressive brushstrokes, creating rich swirls and dabs of vibrant colour.

My father nurtured my sense of adventure. With six children and a limited budget, our family vacations were spent exploring British Columbia. We camped every summer, travelled old logging roads, wandered beaches, explored islands by boat, and later hiked some of British Columbia’s most spectacular wilderness, including the West Coast Trail. Those experiences gave me a lifelong love of forests, mountains, lakes, and the coast that continues to inspire my paintings today.

While travelling through Europe in 2023, I made a special trip to Madrid to visit the museum in Joaquin Sorolla’s former home. A few years earlier, I had seen several of his monumental paintings in San Diego, where I found myself studying them up close, fascinated by the thickness of his paint, the way he loaded two or three colours onto a single brushstroke, and built layers of luminous colour into breathtaking paintings.

Emily Carr’s ability to capture the spirit of the forests of the west coast of British Columbia, where I had spent my early years, resonated deeply with me and continues to influence my work. Like her, I strive to paint not only what I see, but also the feeling and essence of a place.

Travel has continued to shape my artistic vision. Living in the Netherlands as a young adult, participating in a teacher exchange in Australia, spending thirteen years in Thailand, and travelling throughout Canada, Europe, and Asia have all broadened my appreciation for the beauty found in different landscapes, cultures, and architecture.

Although I am largely self-taught, I spent ten years studying with Iranian artist Russell (Rasoul) Fadavi while living in Bangkok. I also earned a Fine Arts certificate from Emily Carr University and continue to learn through workshops, travel, and painting outdoors.

Today I paint from my home in Vancouver, where I organize the Vancouver En Plein Air Painting Meetup and continue to explore the beauty of British Columbia through both painting and photography. I work primarily in oil and acrylic, creating landscapes, house portraits, intuitive paintings, and plein air studies. I also enjoy photography, often searching for the same qualities through the camera lens that I seek in my paintings—light, atmosphere, and the spirit of a place.

Whether I’m painting a forest, a beloved family home, or photographing light filtering through the trees, my hope is always to capture the essence of what makes that moment, that place, or that memory unique.

I’d love to hear from you. Please contact me for more information about my original paintings, house portrait commissions or fine art prints.

Email: maryancerina.artist@gmail.com

Instagram: @cerinamaryan

Facebook: Maryan Cerina