8 West Coast Female Artists to Keep on Your Radar

Feature Image: Northern Goshawk, a public art piece in Surrey by Angela Aujla | phulkari textile

The West Coast is full of internationally established female artists who continue to make Metro Vancouver a destination for culture and creativity. With International Women’s Day this month (March 8), we thought it would be the perfect time to spotlight some emerging talent in the local arts scene you might not already know. Working across various mediums, the work of these inspiring creatives will only continue to flourish in the coming years, so this is your chance to say you knew them before they were household names!  Whether you’re looking for pieces to fill your home with, or you’re in search of a new muse for your own expression, these are eight local voices you should keep on your radar.

Inspired by the natural beauty of British Columbia, Tara’s work reflects a deep admiration for nature and a desire to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. Based in North Vancouver, she is a forward-thinking artist who blends traditional Impressionist techniques with cutting-edge digital technology to create mesmerizing, hybrid works of art.

Photo Credit: northvanarts.ca
Love Stanley Park by Tara Ticehurst | digital oil on Canvas | 36″x 24″

Polly’s art focuses on women’s empowerment, everyday magic, and the echoes of Eastern European folklore. With a focus on painting with acrylics and mixed media, she adeptly weaves personal and shared stories into each piece. Alongside painting, Polly also writes poems that she illustrates with pencil and ink. These aren’t simply words on a page though—they’re conversations, meant to stir emotions and spark thoughts.

Photo Credit: northvanarts.ca
Pencil and Ink drawings by Polly Almond

Atheana studied Fine Art at Langara college for three years, with a focus on ceramics, intaglio printmaking, and wood carving. Then in 2021, she focused on screen printing and drawing. She is engaged with public art through her mural work throughout the greater Vancouver area since 2018, and more recently with banner and vinyl mural installations. Atheana is a two-time recipient of the YVR Art Foundation Emerging Artist scholarship, and has works in the collections at the Museum of Vancouver, Burnaby Art Gallery, Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. 

Photo Credit: atheanapicha.work
Baby Thunderbird by Atheana Picha | 2023 | 12×12” | gouache and acrylic on paper

Drawing from a vibrant palette of colour, Dana’s work never fails to brighten up a room. The mixed-media visual artist creates pieces inspired by nature with an added boost of whimsy and flair. After working in the architecture industry, Dana pivoted to focus on her painting, and you get the sense that she truly relishes her creative freedom with each bold brushstroke.

Photo Credit: northvanarts.ca
Untitled by Dana Huhn | 8” x 24” | mixed media on cradled wood canvas

With a degree in Fine Arts from the prestigious Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, she’s a seasoned artist who’s been painting the town of Whistler in all the colors of the rainbow for over two decades. But she’s not just a painter; she’s a creative event producer and art instructor, sharing her creative wisdom with folks of all ages. From exciting Paint Nights to exclusive private gatherings and artful escapades for kids.

Photo Credit: andrealikesart.com
Big Love Black Bear by Andrea Mueller | Canvas and Paper Print

Switching from a career in financial planning to a life embracing her artistic roots, Ann Eynon creates stunning landscape works, primarily in acrylic. If you’re looking for pieces that show the natural beauty of the Lower Mainland through an impressionist lens, then look no further than her always-inspiring collection of paintings.

Photo Credit: northvanarts.ca
Tofino and Chesterman #2 by Ann Eynon | 20” x 24”

Based in Vancouver, Andrea Hooge’s distinct work is full of character and playfulness. Using scratchboard and oils, she creates personality-filled scenes of animals going about their business, reading books, roasting marshmallows, you know—daily errands! Each piece is a natural conversation starter, making for a bold accent to any drab wall

Photo Credit: andreahooge.com
Well-Behaved by Andrea Hooge | 2024 | 12″ x 12″ | Scratchboard Shadowbox

A self-taught artist in Vancouver, Janine Breck uses alcohol inks and resin to create unique expressions of light and movement. Her pieces follow a rich stroke of colour across the canvas, creating a tactile sense of motion and life. It’s an impressive creative technique, and Janine uses it to remarkable effect in stirring emotions in her audience.

Photo Credit: janinebreck.com
Orchard at the End by Janine Breck | 27” x 39” | Alcohol Ink and Resin, mounted on wood panel.

Spacy and whimsical, Jenn Brisson creates works of otherworldly beauty. Having painted murals around North America, Jenn brings a bit of cosmic flair to every surface she works with. Each unique design is like an artistic challenge to viewers, daring you to follow your inspiration into the unknown. 

Photo Credit: jennbrisson.com
Rainbow Ribbons For Gimli, by Jenn Brisson

While she’s a working visual artist, Angela Aujla is also a professor of anthropology with a degree from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. Her academic focus on postcolonial theory and gender studies is a significant influence on her artwork, and her projects never fail to inspire new perspectives on culture and heritage. Working in murals, mosaics, and collage, Aujla impressively merges an international scope with smaller community stories.

Photo Credit: @angela_aujla
Northern Goshawk, a public art piece in Surrey by Angela Aujla | phulkari textile