Majestic golden hills and breathtaking coulees feel infinite in Forever Grasslands, a solo exhibition by Alberta-based artist Colin Starkevich. These large-scale paintings pay homage to the wildlife that thrives within this resilient ecosystem. As the viewer steps closer, they’ll encounter every blade of grass, every feather marked within these realistic depictions of wildlife, from the solitude of a rock wren above the South Saskatchewan River to the adventure of a prairie dog’s survival. These works speak to the significance of wilderness and the life within them.

Colin explains, “I feel the paintings in this exhibition raise awareness of the Alberta grasslands as well as celebrate the conservation efforts that maintain these wild spaces. The natural grasslands region motivates and inspires me to utilize my abilities as an artist.”

Colin’s paintings begin in the places that inspired them. His plein air paintings of the prairie inform his large-scale works. “My plein air paintings and drawings are produced on location, where I strive to capture the essence of the landscape as opposed to the detail of the place.” Then, over many months, he produces his paintings in studio, where both his creative intuition and inspiration thrive.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a diploma in wildlife and fisheries conservation, Colin also uses his academic foundations to fuel his artistic endeavours, raising awareness of the beauty and fragility of the grasslands. His painting Burrowing Owl Fledglings visually articulates the vulnerability of this endangered species. One of the smallest species of owl, they nest in burrows dug by other animals on the prairie, much of that prairie utilized for agriculture.

He explains, “I’m fascinated by wild places, creatures and relics, many of which have been lost or fragmented due to agriculture, urbanization or industrialization. I’m intrigued by how the landscape and wildlife in this region have adapted to our modern society, and I seek to capture these changes in my paintings.”

As the human species continues to infringe on wild spaces, Forever Grasslands reminds us of both the fragility and strength of our natural world, and the animals striving to survive within it.

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Bio: Colin Starkevich was nineteen when he fell in love with the Grasslands during a three day camping trip in southern Alberta. This experience fundamentally inspires his creative practice, resulting in his dedication to painting the grasslands and their wild inhabitants.

His artistic endeavours are intended to raise awareness of the beauty and fragility of the grasslands while supporting and celebrating conservation efforts within this region. He hopes to inspire people of all ages to search within themselves and discover their passions and unique abilities, to make a positive difference in the world around them.

When Colin was twenty-one years old, he was invited by renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman to attend his Master Artist Seminar. Following this experience, Colin’s painting Grassland Harmonies was a selected finalist in the 2013 The Artist’s Magazine annual international art competition. In 2015, he was awarded an artist's residence at the Wallace Stegner House in Eastend, Saskatchewan and mounted a solo exhibition at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, Alberta.

Colin has been a member of the international Artists for Conservation Foundation (AFC) since 2017. The AFC represents the world's leading collective of artists focused on nature and wildlife. He has annually exhibited with the AFC since earning signature membership in their annual international juried exhibition– which is one of the largest conservation themed exhibits in the world. Colin is also a juried member of the International Guild of Realism (IGOR), a collective of some of the world’s top realist artists today. In 2022, Colin became an associate member with the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) and has exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions with the FCA in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Holding a BSc majoring in Environmental Sciences and a diploma in Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation, Colin has worked as a wildlife technician in Canada’s arctic and grassland regions. He feels these experiences have taught him a great deal about the wildlife he paints and the ecosystems in which they live.An artist who continues to push the boundaries within his work, Colin feels he can make a positive contribution to society and the conservation of our natural world through his artwork.

“We all are capable of doing great things for this world in numerous ways, it is up to us to discover our strengths and develop them to make a positive difference in a way that is very unique and special”- Colin Starkevich