Hello
My name is Jen Burgess (she/her) and I am an artist inspired by nature. This is my studio assistant, River.
I am a second-generation settler with British ancestry living here on the West Coast of Canada, on Lekwungen, Esquimalt, and Songhees First Nations’ territory, what we now call Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island, Canada.
I have been freelancing, teaching and mentoring in Victoria since 2019. In my mentorship I provide my clients with empathetic, compassionate support, as they navigate their way into (or return to) the world of creativity. The benefits of creativity far outweigh the struggle, which none of us are immune to.
Throughout life’s many challenges, art and nature have provided me with a refuge & outlet when nothing else made sense. I love to be out in nature, moving my body and breathing the fresh air, using my senses and engaging my curiosity, but drawing & painting gives me a deeper connection to nature—a connection that still exists when I can’t be out in it directly.
Nature is a peaceful sanctuary for me. When I feel truly connected to nature, I can marvel in awe at its beauty, feel small and slightly insignificant, yet an important part of the whole. In today’s world however, our mistreatment of our planet with waste, pollution, and destruction of habitat, is unfortunately also a source of complex grief. It’s too easy to look the other way.
Art provides me with balance and purpose to counter that. Beyond being an expressive emotional outlet, my art may be a reminder of nature’s often-overlooked beauty, draw attention to the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation, and give back through charitable donations. All the while I get to experience mindfulness in the “zone” or “flow” of creativity, continue to learn about the world and discover my place in it.
I have found that my part in the connection, the integration of the two has become central to my overall wellbeing… more than that, it’s why I’m here.
CV
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2015 - California State University Monterey Bay - Graduate Certificate in Scientific Illustration
2014 - University of California Santa Cruz - California Naturalist Training
2011 - Emily Carr University of Art and Design - Fine Arts Certificate Program
2005 - Vancouver Community College - Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate
2005 - University of Victoria - Bachelor of Science, Geography
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July 2023 - Present: Opus Art Supplies - Customer Experience Coordinator
2022 - 2023: Opus Art Supplies - Customer Experience Leader
2021 - 2023: isoline studios - Freelance Mentor: Art Instructor, Facilitator, Consultant, Coach
2019 - 2021: The Bateman Foundation & Gallery of Nature - Nature Sketch Instructor
2015 - 2020: isoline studios - Freelance Scientific Illustrator
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June-July 2019 - Emily Carr House, Victoria BC
November 2018 - The Whiteley Center, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington State
June 2016 - Self Directed, Haida Gwaii, BC
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2018 - Works in Progress - Creative Coworkers, Vancouver BC
2016 - On a Tangent Tear - Emily Carr House, Victoria BC
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2019 - Island Illustrators - 2019 Exhibition
2019 - Re-Composition (Juried) Polyfield Gallery, Science World, Vancouver BC
2015 - Graduate Show, Monterey Museum of Natural History
2014 - California Wildlife Art Show - (Juried) Coastside Land Trust, Halfmoon Bay California
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August 2022 - Art & Music in the Gardens - Horticultural Centre of the Pacific, Victoria BC
May 2022 - TD Moss Street Paint-in, Victoria BC
September 2021 - Flourish Pop-up Market, Victoria BC
Jen Burgess b. 1980
As an artist and a human being I am not immune to the range of emotions and creative blocks we all go through sometimes: self-doubt, impostor syndrome, overwhelm, comparison, fear of the blank page, etc. It’s important to recognize the these are normal, part of the process, and face them with openness, resilience, and bravery. Keep going.
Sea Urchin test, Haida Gwaii, 2016
When I am not working on my business or creating art in the studio I am outside in nature as much as I can. I am a contradiction in that I am also quite a homebody with a fondness for tea and books. I am a hobby naturalist and avid nature journalist; as happy reading about or drawing nature as being in it. I love to walk and hike with my dog, spend time in the kitchen making tasty meals, and I love to grow my own food (when I actually have a garden). I also love to dance wherever there might be some live music, and travel the globe whenever that becomes possible again!
As evidenced by the artworks in my portfolio I have a love of the ocean and marine life. I am compelled to live near the ocean, visit aquaria to draw from life when I can, and surprisingly, in spite of my usual aversion to cold, I do enjoy a quick dip at the beach in all seasons.
