My art explores the connection between people, wildlife, and the landscapes that shape us. Through layered watercolour and acrylic, I create paintings that celebrate the beauty, resilience, and quiet stories found in the natural world, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect.
Shelly Bischoff has nurtured a lifelong passion for drawing and painting, working in oil, acrylic, and watercolour to create evocative pieces inspired by landscapes, wildlife, and nostalgic moments. She brings her subjects to life on paper, canvas, and reclaimed wood, weaving a ribbon of colour through the many chapters of her life.
Born with a physical disability, Shelly discovered the healing power of art during her years of rehabilitation as a child. By the age of 15, she was taking informal art classes and continued her creative practice alongside raising a family and enjoying a diverse career in nursing.
A proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Shelly draws deeply from her Indigenous heritage, especially the respect and reverence she holds for the natural world. Her art often blends spiritual, nostalgic, and playful elements, capturing both the essence and the energy of her subjects. She finds joy in creating pieces that spark memories and is humbled by the ways her work resonates with others.
Now retired, Shelly lives in the Foothills near Calgary where she spends her days painting in her studio, enjoying time with her grandchildren, and finding inspiration in nature, travel, and the beauty of her surroundings. She volunteers as a member of the Alberta Human Rights Indigenous Advisory Circle and is currently serving as a Director with the Route 22 gallery Board of Directors . Her art can be found in galleries located in southern Alberta and she welcomes commission work. She invites you to explore her art at artbyschnel.com.
