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.