Discover the Art of Portraiture
Create a portrait. Capture a story. Treasure it forever.
Presenting two exceptional artists, Bev Miles and Wendy Mitchell, whose commissioned portraiture is nothing short of extraordinary. *
*oil portraits also available – please contact the gallery for further information
BIOGRAPHY
From Etobicoke, art began at an early age drawing cartoons and animals from books and comic magazines. Having so much love for animals, drawings became more detailed and in depth.
Beverly completed several workshops by top Canadian Artists such as – Derek Wicks, Kelly McNeil, Dave Beckett and Robert Bateman which were major highlights of inspiration learning from the best mentors.
From that point using her own photos for her artwork, Beverly strived to improve and explore mother nature at its best travelling to Alaska, not once but twice to photograph Brown Bears. With instruction from a well known Canadian photographer and guide Michael Bertelsen.
Further learning through the camera eye was important to capture in exploring the world of art and photography which took to a new path of pet drawings in pastel since 2018.
• 2012 – OCAD University in Toronto, Certificate in Art & Design Studio
• 2014 – Sheridan College in Oakville, Receiving Honors in Fine Arts
• Current member with Pastel Artists. CA
ARTIST STATEMENT
My love for pets are always on the drawing board. Drawing pets from my own photographs in pencil and pastels is my passion. It is a calm relaxing feel entering into “the zone” of the drawing world with the challenge of creating a pet pastel memory that will last a lifetime.
Hearing and seeing the excitement how happy I can make people when they see the end result of a pet portrait is the best feeling ever!
Completed Portraiture
Reference Photo
Finished Portrait
Framed Portrait
Other Examples
BIOGRAPHY
Wendy Mitchell is a self-taught portrait artist based in Toronto, specializing in highly detailed graphite portraiture. Using photographs as her reference, she has completed a wide range of commissions, each showcasing her exceptional ability to render lifelike and expressive images.
Wendy has exhibited at Etobicoke ArtsFest 2022, Arts Etobicoke’s 2024 Juried Art Show ‘Our Place: A Journey to Belonging’, the Colour and Form Society’s 72nd Annual Open Juried Art Exhibition, and won the People’s Choice Award at the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery’s 2024 Juried Exhibition ‘Facing Forward’. Working exclusively in graphite, Wendy delights in how the medium demands simplification and focus. Her ultimate goal is to capture moments suspended in time, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with the stories within her portraits.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am captivated by the magic that exists between mark making and final artwork. I love to stand close, nose to canvas, to examine individual marks, and then slowly back up to experience that thrilling instant when isolated marks suddenly disappear and the art as a whole comes into focus. Using photos as a reference, I create graphite portraits with this moment in mind. My deep love for drawing shines through in my baby and toddler portraits, where I use the simplicity of pencil on traditional paper or drafting film to capture fleeting moments and radiant smiles.
Completed Portraiture
Reference Photo
Finished Portrait
Framed Example
Other Examples
