ARTIST STATEMENT

The Canadian Rockies have long been a source of inspiration for me. Their scale, beauty, and familiarity are deeply woven into my experience of living in Western Canada. Rather than seeking to recreate the landscape exactly as it appears, I am interested in capturing how it feels to be there; the sense of awe, calm, nostalgia, and connection that certain places leave behind.

My work begins with observation but evolves through simplification and interpretation. Influenced by my background in design, I reduce complex landscapes into bold shapes, graphic compositions, and vibrant colour relationships. This process allows me to move beyond documentation and create work that feels contemporary, expressive, and emotionally resonant.

Colour plays a central role in my practice. I often depart from traditional palettes, using unexpected combinations to heighten mood and draw attention to the emotional qualities of a place. Through layers of paint and carefully considered forms, I seek to create landscapes that feel both familiar and fresh.

At its core, my work is an invitation to pause. In a world that often moves quickly, I hope my paintings encourage viewers to reconnect with nature, revisit meaningful memories, and reflect on their own relationship with the landscape. While inspired by specific mountains and locations, the work ultimately speaks to the universal desire for beauty, belonging, and connection to place.

artist BIO

Kirsten Bollen is a Calgary-based contemporary artist whose vibrant landscapes reimagine the Canadian Rockies through a bold, graphic lens. Drawing on her background in design, she distills familiar mountain landscapes into simplified forms, dynamic compositions, and expressive colour palettes that evoke both a sense of place and an emotional response.

Inspired by time spent in the Rocky Mountains, Bollen’s work explores the intersection of landscape, memory, and connection. Her paintings balance representation and abstraction, inviting viewers to experience the Rockies not as a literal depiction, but as a reflection of personal moments, nostalgia, and wonder.

In addition to her fine art practice, Bollen has collaborated with a range of notable commercial clients including Uniqlo, Marriott, Earls, and Simons. She serves as Alberta’s Brand Ambassador for Holbein, Legion Paper, and General Pencil. Her work is held in private and corporate collections across Canada.

Bollen holds a Bachelor of Design from the University of Alberta, as well as a Masters of Public Administration.

Highlights

Scroll through the carousel below for a number of noteworthy projects and events. Uniqlo, Marriott, Earls and Simons are just a few commercial clients that have sought out Kirsten’s work.

HOLBEIN, LEGION & GENERAL PENCIL BRAND AMBASSADOR

Kirsten serves as a product expert and instructor for leading art material brands since 2025. Hosts hands-on, educational art sessions across Calgary, including Kensington Art Supply and Leighton Art Centre.

SUSTAINABILITY

My art is directly connected to the beauty and wonder of our natural landscapes. To help protect the Canadian wilderness, I am committed to running periodic promotions which donate a portion of my profits to CPAWS. Selecting locally sourced supplies and making environmentally responsible decisions is a priority when creating and packaging art in my studio.