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Brett Heidi
Introduction
 
My paintings are expressions that celebrate the untamed beauty of North American wildlife and Western subjects through bold, luminous brushwork.  Growing up in rural Alberta and later living in Mexico, I developed a deep respect for nature's symmetry - a theme that anchor's my vibrant, impressionist scenes.
 
With the use of acrylic and oil, my technique merges principles used across mediums, such as the fluidity of watercolor, the depth of glazing with oils, and the ruggedness of charcoal.  The intent is to capture moments of connection for you to discover: a mountain vista kissed by the golden sun, the bond between animals and their environment, the friendship between a cowgirl and her horse or the spirited energy of a working ranch. 
I am fascinated by light, color and contrast, balancing spontaneity with intention.  Sweeping strokes and vivid pigments evoke emotion rather than strict realism.  Each piece begins with an open narrative, creating a space for you to weave your own memories and connections into the canvas.

Collections

 

I am deeply grateful that my work has found a home in such a wide variety of collections, from those of first-time art owners to significant private collections across Canada, including those of  C-suite executives from multinational corporations, in addition to foundational art-patronage families.  It is the highest compliment when a painting is chosen for personal homes, where they become part of a family's daily life and are entrusted to mark important legacy moments.

The Beginnings 
 
My creative journey started as a young child.  Being born into a family who was already immersed in art, I had early exposure to painting and drawing. 
 
I'm grateful that my mom homeschooled my siblings and I, as I'm certain it allowed for extra time to spend in imaginative ways.  My father being an oil painter, was a dedicated guide in my art education.  Though he'd attended Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, he remained curious with an ongoing exploration of understanding light and the work of the Masters.

The earliest artistic memories I have are of painting mini versions of what my dad was working on. He usually had an intense painting on the go. Due to my young age, he would always take time to get me set-up with acrylics on matting board scraps. I would either paint, watch him paint or play in his studio.  He was interested in me doing it "right" and didn't hold back instruction while my mother would be ready with the commendation. When I got a little older, I would participate in some local and international art contests.  I learned to paint with oil and took a deep dive into drawing and sketching, often taking on book illustrations and custom portraits. 
Inspiration came easy. We spent many weekends in the mountains where my awe for their majesty all began.  We attended art shows, horse shows, and by the time I turned 5 we moved from Calgary to Olds, an hour north, to the land where my mom's family had farmed.   The animals we soon adopted would become my friends, teaching me more than words can say.
 
Although I always loved horses, I became friends with a family who taught me to ride when I was eight. Spending long days at their farm each week, I was paired with a gentle (part draft), paint mare that could only be ridden bareback. They taught me to ride, first using just a halter, which helped me to forge my first bond with a horse. My friend and I would spend entire days out on our own trail rides.  Later, at age nineteen, I bought my first horse that my siblings and I enjoyed "working" and playing with, introducing new and challenging lessons!
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Acrylic painting - age 9 - Entered into a North American Youth Artist Contest (winner among top 10) - Adopted to be hung in the Case IH Head Office located in Racine, Wisconsin

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Custom Sketch - age 19

'Magpie' Oil Painting - age 17

The Journey

In my late teens and early twenties, I stepped into the corporate world, spending Monday to Friday in an office.  After a while, I began traveling with my family to Mexico, where I eventually moved, all the while maintaining a remote job and creating art part-time—mostly as gifts for friends or the occasional custom request.

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Above: Experimenting with watercolour

 

'Below: Faithful'  Watercolour/Charcoal

(the piece that lead me to my current style)​​​

In Mexico, I met my husband, and for the following three years, I was immersed in the country’s vibrant culture and colors, which deepened my artistic perspective.  But it wasn’t until we returned to my hometown that I discovered a new creative vision.  One day, while experimenting with watercolor and charcoal, I fell in love with the minimalist aesthetic that emerged.  Inspired, I submitted a piece to the Calgary Stampede Silent Art Auction.
 
That experience ignited in me a determination to pursue art more professionally. I quickly transitioned to acrylic on canvas, drawn to its ability to mimic watercolor’s fluidity while allowing me to paint larger works without glass frames.  This shift soon evolved into the style I share with you today.  In 2025 I reintroduced oil into my work,  so you'll see a combination north mediums. 
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Inspiration
 

We live where farmland meets the foothills, backdropped by the Rockies. The weather here is always changing—bringing dramatic thunderstorms and ever-shifting light. Surrounded by farm animals, bright yellow canola fields, and the shimmering leaves of poplar trees, I’m never without inspiration.

Often, I’ll catch spontaneous moments of connection between species: a Clydesdale and a magpie locking eyes, my dog gently observing a butterfly, or bounding excitedly through tall grass.  It is these small wonders, these glimpses into a vibrant world, that I hope to bring into your space and help energize your daily life.

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Process
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My goal is to preserve luminosity by using thin layers of paint, contrasted with selective final touches of textured impasto. I work with loose, large brushstrokes to convey emotion, then balance them with smaller, deliberate details—creating a harmonious dance between abstraction and representation.  Some pieces embrace negative space, inviting a moment of calm, while others demand a fuller, more impressionistic approach to draw you into the scene.

The Studio
I work from my home studio just west of Olds, Alberta.  My husband and I welcome visitors—please feel free to contact me to schedule a time for a visit!

 

You can also visit us at our annual events such as Calgary Stampede Art Show and Spruce Meadows Masters.  

Interested in a custom piece or collaboration?  I’d love to hear from you!

Stay updated by signing up for emails or following me on Instagram/Facebook!

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Highlighted Events & Show History
  • Best of the West' Show 2025 - Great falls, Montana 
  • Participating artist in the Artist Studios of the Calgary Stampede Western Art Show every year since 2019
  • Spruce Meadows Masters annually since 2022 - Calgary, Alberta
  • Pure West Art Auction since 2022 - Calgary, Alberta
  • Juried shows since 2016, including Leighton Art Centre - Millerville, Alberta
  • Solo Exhibition and Representation at Diony Distillery & Gallery (2023 - 2025)
  • Solo Exhibition at Blue Rock Law Office - Calgary, Alberta (2024 - 2025)
  • Representation history with a number of boutique galleries through B.C. and Alberta (2014 - 2025)

Known Locations of Private Collections: 

Canada

Alberta:  Calgary - Edmonton -  Foothills County - Mountain View County - Flagstaff County

British Columbia:  Vancouver

Ontario: Toronto

International

United States: Texas

British Overseas Territories:  Turks and Caicos

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www.brettheidi.com

Western Art - Original Art- Contemporary Art - Olds Alberta Canada - Artist - Abstract Impressionism

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