“A Day in the Life” with: Calgary Visual Artist L.C. Cariou

April 30, 2025 Emilea Semancik Arts, Visual Arts

L.C. Cariou graduated with distinction from Concordia University (Montréal) and the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) in 2019. In 2023, she participated in the Artist Inn Residency Program at Calgary’s Downtown/Beltline Marriott Residency Inn Hotel. Her work has earned notable recognition, such as being awarded the 2021 Leatherseller’s Prize for Best Artist Under 30 by The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 209th Annual Exhibition, being long listed for the Jackson’s Painting Prize, and having her paintings published in the bestselling guidebook The Scenic Geology of Alberta and a local alphabet garden book of prose by Kerrie Penney.

L.C. Cariou
L.C. Cariou, Watercolour Artist
L.C. Cariou
L.C. Cariou giving an artist talk at Calgary’s Central Library in March
Documenting my framed artwork is very important. I use these photos to promote my work, product listings, applications, and more.
Selling greeting cards are a big part of my business. I sell them wholesale to a number of storefronts in Alberta, like Forged (Heritage Park), Paper Root, Audrey’s Bookstore, the Nickle Galleries, etc. You can purchase cards here
Many of my days are spent painting in the studio. It is a long and dedicated process that I love!
Selling fine art prints of my work is another part of my business. They are a budget-friendly and beautiful way for people to collect more of my art. You can collect prints here
L.C. Cariou
A close-up of one of my fan favourite pieces, “Summertide” (2022), original available here, prints available here
L.C. Cariou
This is my latest painting that I just finished, Agave Parryi (2025). This painting captures the luminescence of an Agave Parryi, Artichoke Agave plant, in Edmonton’s Muttart Conservatory. It highlights the plant’s unique waxy blue-green leaves that are each lined with deep plum, and the permanent imprints of the leaves on each other as they unfurl from themselves.

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Which neighbourhood are you in?

I am in Mount Pleasant, NW. I love it because it is inner city but still a family neighbourhood. It’s very walkable, has many amenities, and close to many green spaces, which are great to explore and take a break in to refuel and find inspiration in the day-to-day.

What do you do?

I am a watercolour artist; my paintings centre on the beauty and resilience of plants, celebrating their uplifting spirit and ever-changing nature. Through compositions, I spotlight natural places to wander and sights of wonder, hoping to spark biophilia—the deep, innate connection between humans and the natural world. Every brushstroke I make is a conscious effort to honour every leaf and every petal in every painting.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on some paintings of plants I photographed at the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton. Through this series of works, I am exploring the Sublime—a profound greatness that inspires awe and wonder that goes beyond ordinary beauty. I am aiming to instil a feeling of vastness, transcendence, and humility in the face of nature’s grandeur. Inviting viewers to recognise and deepen their own awareness and connection to the natural world.

Where can we find your work?

This summer, I have three solo exhibitions, so you will be able to see my work in person this summer at:

  • The Southern Alberta Art Gallery in Lethbridge (May 10th – June 27th, 2025)
  • The Alberta Society of Artists Gallery at Crossroads Market (July 5th – August 30th, 2025)
  • The Underground Gallery in the basement of the John Fluevog Store on Stephen Avenue (August 4th – October 31st, 2025)

Online, you can find my work here: Website | Instagram | Pinterest

 

About Emilea Semancik 199 Articles
Emilea Semancik was born in North Vancouver. Emilea has always always wanted to work as a freelance writer and currently writes for the Vancouver Guardian. Taking influence from journalism culture surrounding the great and late Anthony Bourdain, she is a recipe author working towards publishing her own series of books. You can find her food blog on Instagram:
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