Born in 1954 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Virginia Boulay’s passion for nature was inspired by her early west coast beginnings. Moving to Alberta, Virginia’s love for nature was further nurtured through her passion for hiking — exploring the prairie landscapes, foothills and Rocky Mountains. Her goal is to continually discover fresh and meaningful responses to the land and give them voice on her canvas.
Complementing an already successful career as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator, Virginia began to paint professionally in the early 1990’s. Acrylic soon became her medium of choice — developing detailed graphite sketches while outdoors and completing the final paintings in her Calgary home studio.
Deeply felt connections to the natural world, concerns for the environment and all living things are at the core of this Alberta artist’s paintings. These enduring works of art resonate within us providing settings where we find respite and rejuvenation.
Stylistically her vivid use of color combined with strong composition give way to the imagination, leading the viewer to places of tranquility and peace. She states that, “while in nature, I can transcend the boundaries of the concrete world and access the intangible — the spiritual”. Her landscapes challenge established thought of what nature should “look like” . . . asking us to suspend our preconceptions and look within ourselves.
Inspiration has come to Virginia by way of many people and places; however, it is Anne Savage, Emily Carr and Georgia O’Keefe who she considers her “mentors in spirit” courageous women unafraid of looking within themselves to inform their work.
Virginia’s works are held in both private and corporate collections throughout North America as well as Internationally.
Selected Exhibitions
2011
Royal Canadian Mint – Awarded the commission to design two 2011, 10 Dollar Holiday coins.
The coins “Little Skaters and Winter Town” celebrate Canadian winter time.
Gust Gallery Fine Art- Two Person Exhibition – Waterton, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Effusion Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Invermere, British Columbia
2010
Grey Area Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Chilliwack, British Columbia
Effusion Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Invermere, British Columbia
Arts on Atlantic Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Calgary, Alberta
Cypress Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Eastend, Saskatchewan
Whyte Museum – Group Exhibition – Banff, Alberta
The Avens Gallery – Group Exhibition – Canmore, Alberta
2009
HandWorks Gallery – Group Exhibition – Oliver, British Columbia
Effusion Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Invermere, British Columbia
2008
Shurniak Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Assiniboia, Saskatchewan
Grand Coteau Heritage & Cultural Centre – Solo Exhibition – Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Opening Reception – Guest Speaker Teaching Grades 3, 4,and 5 touring the exhibition.
For ArtSake Gallery – Solo Exhibition – Eastend, Saskatchewan
2007
Cypress Art Gallery – Group Exhibition – Eastend, Saskatchewan.
2005
Royal Canadian Mint – Awarded the commission to design the fourth coin in the series of the 2006 National Parks Collection.
The coin commemorates the Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories.
2004
Leighton Centre Art Gallery – Group Exhibition.
Wallace Stegner House – Artist-In-Residence – Eastend, Saskatchewan.
Calgary Homeless Foundation- Donated watercolor painting – “Hope For Humanity Rose”.
In Receiving line to meet guest speaker Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Dr. Lois E. Hole, C.M., A.O.E.
City of Calgary – Professional Arts Juror for The City of Calgary West End Dry Pond metal sculpture project.
Conceptions Gallery – Group Exhibition – Calgary, Alberta
2003
IBM Canada – Group Exhibition – Calgary, Alberta
Conceptions Gallery – Group Exhibition – Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Stampede – Western Art Sales Salon
Foothills Hospital, – Donated 3 pieces to the permanent art collection of the Footprints Gallery
Foothills Hospital – Guest Speaker – Calgary, Alberta
Avens Gallery – Group Exhibition – Canmore, Alberta
Leighton Centre Art Gallery – Christmas Group Exhibition
2001
Leighton Centre Art Gallery – 3 Person Show – “EarthTones”
The Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators – Northern Rockies Annual Conference – Best illustrator award.
1998
Stephen Lowe Art Gallery – Group Exhibition
1995
Jackson Kalef Gallery -Two Person Show “Fire and Water”
1993
Marika Fine Art -Three Person Show “Children”, Banff, Alberta
Bibliography and Media Coverage
2010
Feature – The Valley Echo “Effusion of Art” – Invermere, British Columbia
Feature – The Columbia Valley Pioneer “Reflections Exhibition” – Invermere, British Columbia
Feature – The Shaunavon Standard – “Artists Featured at Cypress Gallery” Eastend, Saskatchewan
Feature – The Advance – “Eastend Arts Community on Verge of New Revelation” Eastend, Saskatchewan
2008
Feature-Galleries West Magazine First Impressions – Road Trip -SouthWest Quest
1995
Interview -CBC Calgary, Alberta Collections
Collections
Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta
Skills Society, Edmonton, Alberta
AFAC, Alberta Farm Animal Care, Calgary, Alberta
Private Collections in North America as well as Internationally
Professional Development
1984
Emily Carr College of Art – Color and Perception
Professional Affiliations
Visual Arts Alberta Association
CARFAC
