There is great inspiration in our everyday life. There are scenes to be painted and enjoyed everywhere I look. The secret is just to make time and get it done.
Read MoreOil on Cradled Panel, 8x8x1.5 "We are surrounded by forests everywhere on Vancouver Island. Most of the time, they are just a big tangle of branches, leaves, seedlings and who knows what else!! In this painting, I tried to convey all that beautiful chaos in the Fall." -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 10x10x1.5 "Sumac trees in the fall turn the most vibrant oranges and reds. I remember when I first came to Canada I was absolutely fascinated by them and still am when I see them with these colours!" - Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 10x10x1.5 "I love the change in seasons. Typically, by the end of every summer, I’m ready for the transition to cooler days. I’m ready to cozy up indoors with a book, a blanket and a cup of tea. Every single fall, I deeply enjoy the changing colours of trees that line streets and paths and I’m always surprised by how bright those colours can be!" -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Canvas, 18x24x1.5 "I am very fortunate to live in a place where we can enjoy views like this one any time! Coming from a very mediterranean city (close to a thousand km East or West to the ocean!), I love living by the sea. It’s such a different landscape from the one I grew up with in the centre of Argentina." -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Canvas, 24x30x1.5 "Sailing became a part of my life when I moved to Canada 26 years ago but I must confess I am a fair-weather sailor. This is as close as I get to the Sunday morning regattas you can see sometimes!" -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 8x6x1.5 "Gardens are such a delight! I just love that they keep on giving, sometimes very generously. The blue purple cornflower blooms for a very long time. Usually, after it seems to be done, I cut it back and it returns for a second session. They are also great as cut lowers, they last quite a while!" -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 8x6x1.5 "Spring flowers are such a symbol of renewal and growth for me. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly they can grow after they sprout, it seems they grow several inches a day sometimes. It’s a complete delight to go out in the yard when mornings are still crisp and think that warmer days are just around the corner." -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 8x6x1.5 "Every year, some streets in our city turn into a complete festival of soft colour. I absolutely adore cherry trees in bloom, walking under them can be magical, especially if petals are gently falling all around." -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 14x11x1.5 "There’s an endless amount of variety in the rock formations you can see in our West coast landscape, they have the most interesting designs and colours which I always find fascinating!" -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Canvas, 48x36x1.5 "I LOVE flowers and gardens and putting them on canvas in an attempt to record their beauty. Painting this one was a lot of fun, the bigger scale makes me feel I can bring the garden inside year round." -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 36x36x1.5 "This painting was inspired by a path that was mostly covered by vegetation, you had to look really close to find it. The fall colours were so appealing to me!" -Marcela Strasdas
Oil on Cradled Panel, 8x6x1.5 "I often cut flowers from my garden and treat myself to a happy note in the house. In this case it was forget-me-nots, tulips, daffodils, primroses and pulmonarias. They often have to stop by the studio first and patiently pose for me while I paint them! My hope is that this small painting can bring a smile to you in the same way the flowers cheered my day, the bonus is that the flowers in the painting won’t wilt!" -Marcela Strasdas
Marcela Strasdas is an Argentinian-Canadian painter who loves painting landscapes, still-lifes, and florals mostly in acrylics and oils. She is greatly inspired by her love of travelling and gardening which she translates into colourful, vibrant paintings depicting the beauty found in everyday life. Nearly 20 years ago, during one of the busiest times of her life, Marcela found herself enamoured with the world of art. She joined a local art club where she was exposed to a variety of artistic media and styles of work. During those first years, the time that Marcela devoted to her painting became sacred, a time that she could dedicate to herself. She has taken numerous workshops and classes that have shaped her into the artist she is today.
Marcela has learned to go beyond words, combining the passion and excitement she feels in looking at the world around her, and transforming it through colour and shape into a much more eloquent form. In her work, Marcela gets to instill her experiences: the smell, sound, shape, colour, darks, and lights of a moment, invoking memories and freezing them in time. Preferring to focus on the good, the positive, and the beautiful in the world, she is constantly inspired by the simple wonders in nature around her, Marcela welcomes communication and connection. Knowing that often people don’t pursue their dreams because they may seem too big or unattainable, she always wants to encourage others to take the steps needed to reach their goals. With a strong belief that there is no end to learning and growing as an artist, Marcela continues to study and learn as much as possible in her day-to-day life.