After a career in commercial art, I now paint full-time, focused on expressive abstract landscapes. I create imagined places inspired by changing light, layered textures, and nature’s quiet strength—aiming to evoke stillness, movement, and memory rather than depict real locations.

Educational Background

A blend of fine art training and design expertise informs and shapes my compositions. I hold an Honours BFA in Visual Art and Art History from York University, complemented by a Graphic Design Diploma from Humber College, graduating from both programs with distinction. This strong foundation balances formal structure with intuitive exploration, guiding thoughtful decisions and expressive freedom in every painting.

Studio Process

In the studio I work instinctively, building each painting in layers with brushes, palette knives, and mixed media—painting, scratching, scraping, and rebuilding the surface. This hands-on method creates expressive landscapes full of movement and feeling. Attracted to the rhythm and energy of marks, I turn perception into a visual language that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with both inner and outer landscapes.

Exhibitions and Collections

My paintings appear in juried exhibitions and galleries such as the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) 57th Juried Exhibition, SCA 2025 Open International Juried Exhibition, Latcham Art Centre Annual Juried Exhibition, NPCC Juried Exhibition, Insights Juried Exhibition of Fine Arts, Canadian Art Daily Juried Exhibition, Overzealous Fine Art Exhibition, Caledon Creative Arts Festival, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Peel Art Gallery, Summer & Grace Gallery, and the LAF-Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery. Works reside in public and private collections across Canada and the USA, with an online presence with Saatchi Art - https://www.saatchiart.com/en-ca/marijean , Artists In Canada - https://artistsincanada.com/fergus/artist/marijean-harris , Arto Galleria - https://artogalleria.com/en/artist/marijean-harris I have artist memberships with the Guelph Arts Council, the Elora Fergus Arts Council and Artists in Canada.