Biography

As a third generation Calgarian, with a background in earth and environmental science, Teresa has a strong connection to the local Alberta environment. She communicates this passion by creating paintings of sweeping landscapes, mountain vistas, waterfalls, streams, and forest floors.

Teresa paints in a loose and expressive style where strong form, compelling composition, colour harmony and the integration of metallic hues are all hallmarks of her work. She is fascinated by the complex interplay of light, form and colour.

Training & Awards

Teresa received a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Painting and Drawing from the University of Calgary, and went on to pursue a Master's in Environmental Design. Throughout her education she received awards for her artistic ability including the Robert Warren Scholarship, the Wes Irwin Art Scholarship, and the Undergraduate Merit Award.

Grasby Art Studio

As an artist and entrepreneur, Teresa opened a one-room instructional facility in Bowness in 2011 called the Grasby Art Studio. Teresa has developed an array of drawing and painting courses for beginners to intermediate artists. These courses encompass subjects and techniques of particular interest to developing artists. Workshop subjects range across the towns, lakes, rivers and waterfalls of the Rocky Mountains, Banff and Kootenay National Parks and Kananaskis Country, as well as figure, floral and animal studies.

The business has grown to include over 3,000 square feet of instructional studios, an art gallery, and an art supply store. More than 5,000 students have come through, among them children, teens, adults, seniors, and students with disabilities.

Mentoring, and the Craft It Builds

Teresa is a compassionate person, and she has dedicated a great deal of energy to helping others communicate their passions through art. She has helped a great many people create art they can be proud of, among them children, seniors and developing artists, each working toward goals of their own.

She has poured herself into this studio. Her interest in the people who come through it is a genuine one, and it extends well past technique, to the confidence and self-esteem of every developing artist she works with, whether seniors, children, teens or emerging artists.

The exchange runs both ways. Through teaching she has honed her own skills and improved her technique and efficiency. She is extremely proficient, effective and quick in her execution of artwork, and she passes these methods on through her workshops and open studio classes.

Teresa is an adept artist, capable of adapting her instruction to the vision of the student. She prides herself on a teaching strategy where no two paintings are the same, and strives to bring out the unique vision of each individual artist. Her commitment extends to her staff, many of them young arts program graduates whom she mentors in teaching, giving them their first professional experience in arts education.

The studio holds a rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Facebook and 4.8 out of 5 on Google.

Selling on Her Own Terms

Teresa has sold her work through her own initiative rather than relying on galleries that take steep commissions. For over fifteen years her paintings have sold directly through her own studio and gallery.

While she was an emerging artist her work was shown through Calyx Distinctive Arts, the Leighton Art Centre, the Saffron Gallery in Cochrane and Cornie's Art Gallery, and at the Calgary Zoo Gala. Her work and studio have been featured in Avenue Magazine, the Calgary Journal, and the Spectator Tribune.

The Grasby Art Cellar

Teresa's body of artwork you see today in the Grasby Art Cellar was created as demonstration while teaching courses in drawing and the painting of landscapes, cityscapes, florals and figure studies. Each painting demonstrates the efficient execution of compositional planning, and the techniques used to describe the form, texture, colour and character of the subject, rendered quickly while teaching, whether that subject is a floral composition, a mountain peak or the city at night.

The artwork reflects her keen observation, and her passion for the world around her. Every piece on display is available for purchase, and all artwork ships with a Certificate of Authenticity.