About the Artist
Verna Brown is a self-taught artist living in Salmon Arm BC Canada.
Though never formally trained, she has explored a variety of mediums starting at a young age and continues to enjoy doing so. Her preference now is to paint with acrylic creating bold colourful paintings of wildlife and custom pet portraits. She also works with ink using water colour techniques. Her style in both mediums is widely ranged from realism to abstract and her subjects from animals to people.
Presently, Verna is focusing on rendering a series of paintings featuring local B.C. wildlife. This body of work will combine her ability to paint realism, her intuitive style and her love of the colours used in her custom pet portraits.
Her largest body of work, started in 2017, has been the 300+ custom pet portraits, each of which have seen partial proceeds donated to animal charities across the Fraser Valley. She chooses the colours based on the stories that their owner’s send her. She likes to say that she paints personalities, not pets. Because of this ideal, no two pet portraits have ever been the same, regardless of breed.
Artist Statement
“I paint to be happy. I use wild colours and wild lines. My greatest satisfaction is seeing a smile come over a viewer’s face when they take in my work.
One of the reasons I generally choose to paint animals is because they do indeed make us smile and make us happy, unconditionally, wild or domestic. Add to that the colours, well then you have a happy hit. It’s now a piece of art that lights you up when you walk into its room. That is my goal. Art that makes you feel good.
*I also want to paint every subject using all the mediums and put all the creations on every surface, so now and then, you may see a piece that doesn’t look like my ‘usual’ style. I’m not trying to confuse you, I promise. Like life, I just enjoy trying new things and being creative. I completely encourage others to do the same.”
“Do What You Love”
Art Exhibitions, Shows, Markets and Public Works
2021 - “Identity” Group exhibit Hosted by Langley Arts Council :Langley BC
2021 - “Celebrating Arts and Culture in Langley City” Hosted By Langley City : Langley BC
2021 - “#HomeGalleryLAC Surprise Exhibition 2021” Hosted by Langley Arts Council : virtual exhibit
2021 - “Feature Artist” Solo show Hosted by Trading Post Brewery :Langley BC
2020 - “ArtsPacific” Juried group exhibit Hosted by Langley Arts Council : Langley BC
2020 - “Creatures” Group exhibit Hosted by Langley Arts Council : Langley BC
2020 - “Florals” Online group exhibit Hosted by Langley Arts Council. Virtual exhibit
2020 - “Belong” Group exhibit Hosted by Langley Arts Council: Langley BC
2020 - “Chiaroscuro” Group exhibit Hosted by Langley Arts Council : Langley BC
2020 - Pet Lover’s Show - Solo Exhibit. Pet Portraits Abbotsford BC
2020 - “Boobies and Wieners” Group exhibit Hosted by Hot Art, Wet City : Vancouver BC
2019 - “Art in the Tanks” Group exhibit Hosted by Trading Post Brewery : Langley BC
2019 - “Arts Alive Festival” Solo booth. Hosted by Downtown Langley Business Association
2019 - “Pet Lover’s Show” - Solo Booth, Pet Portraits
2019 - Painted Pet Murals for Surrey Animal Resource Centre: Surrey BC
2019 - “BC Yukon Regionals, Dog Championship” Solo: Pet Portraits. Langley BC
2019 - “Artist Demo” - Pet portrait demonstration and instruction:
Hosted by Port Coquitlam’s Art Focus Artists’ Association.
2019- “Artist Demo” Pet portrait demonstration and instruction:
Hosted by - Port Moody Arts Association
2019 - “Health and Wellness Show” - Solo Booth, Pet Portraits: Abbotsford, BC
2019 - “BC Kidney Foundation Gala” - Pet Portraits: Vancouver BC
2019 - “West Coast Women’s Show” - Solo Booth, Abbotsford BC
2018 - “Art Crawl Langley” Group Show Hosted by The City of Langley
2018 - “Pet Lover Show” - Solo Booth, Pet Portraits ,Cloverdale BC
2018 - “Arts Alive Festival” Solo booth. Hosted by Downtown Langley Business Association.
2018 - “The Power of Women is Infinite” 8ft x 40ft mural. Commissioned by Forever Yours Lingerie
in the Downtown center : Langley BC
2018 - “Empowering Selfie Mural” Commissioned by Forever Yours Lingerie
in the Downtown center : Langley BC
2018 - “My pet is so fetch” - International contest with Verna Brown Art Pet Portrait as one of the prizes.
Sponsored By Forever Yours Lingerie : featuring Pet Portraits
2018 - “BC Kidney Foundation Gala” Pet Portraits : Vancouver BC
2018 - “Art in the Vines” Group event Hosted by Township7 Winery: Langley BC
2017 - “Community Piano” Commissioned by the City of Cloverdale
2017 - “Excessively Female” Solo Exhibit Hosted by Forever Yours Lingerie : Langley BC
2017 - “Arts Alive Festival” Solo booth. Hosted by Downtown Langley Business Association.
Articles, News and Publications:
The Aldergrove Star - video interview
Langley Advance Times
Tri City News
https://www.tricitynews.com/in-the-community/pet-painter-at-next-art-focus-demo-3111610
Totally The Bomb
https://totallythebomb.com/heres-how-you-can-use-your-dogs-paw-print-to-make-art-while-stuck-inside
The Animal Rescue Site
https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/paw-print-art/
Diane Kennedy Fashion
https://www.dianekennedy.ca/blogs/news/tagged/shoplocal
Contact Me!
Please fill out the form and I’ll reply as soon as I can. For pet portrait enquiries, please go to the Pet Portraits page.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest news and updates.