Artist Statement
“I believe art can speak where words fall short.”
As a lifelong resident of Vancouver Island, Maureen Ness is deeply rooted in the rhythms and spirit of the West Coast. Her realistic landscapes reflect this enduring connection to the windswept shorelines, mist-laced forests, and shifting moods of the sea. Through oil, she strives to capture the rugged, untamed beauty of the island that has shaped both her life and her art. Maureen hikes, observes, and photographs moments of quiet power — light on the Pacific, the curve of a shoreline, the stillness after a storm. Back in the studio these images become a foundation, but it is memory, emotion, and respect for the land that guides her brush. Working primarily with square brushes, she focuses on negative space until a focal point reveals itself. Her motivation is simple yet urgent: to share the awe she feels for these wild spaces and to encourage their protection. At a time when natural environments are increasingly threatened, Maureen sees painting as both reverence and advocacy — a way to remind us of what we stand to lose.
Through her work, Maureen Ness invites viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the raw beauty that remains. If her paintings can awaken even a moment of reverence, then they have done their job.
Artist Bio
Maureen Ness is a self-taught oil painter based in Victoria, BC, known for capturing the wild beauty of Vancouver Island’s landscapes. Raised on the island, her artistic talent was first recognized at age eight, though her career initially led her into Human Resources and international travel. Over the years, she studied with artists such as Allan Kirk, Marney Ward, Bob Davies, and Johannes Vloothuis. Drawn to the depth and luminosity of oils, Maureen has since created more than 550 works and completed numerous commissions for clients internationally. Since 2017, she has served as General Manager of Artishow Victoria, supporting over 80 artists while also mentoring peers through exhibitions such as Artistry With High Tea. She has been an Artist in Residence in several Victoria hotels for the past decade and is an active member of the Victoria Sketch Club, founded by Emily Carr, where she has exhibited in both group and solo shows.
Represented by Mattick’s Gallery since 2017, Maureen’s work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, with pieces held in private collections across Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand. She has also received several awards, including an Honourable Mention from the FASO Bold Brush International Painting Award.
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