Originating from Vancouver Island and currently based in Calgary, Canadian artist Danika Dawn embarked on her artistic journey from a young age. She grew up surrounded by unique landscapes such as Bowen Island, Okanagan Falls, and Campbell River, where she was deeply inspired by nature, wildlife, and horses. Self-taught and fueled by an innate passion for art, she honed her skills over the years, forming a distinctive style that found its focus in animal expressive realism. From these years of practice, she has developed a knack for capturing the core essence of her subjects.
Danika Dawn’s art has earned recognition at the Calgary Stampede, being featured in multiple exhibitions over the past 7 years. Notably, she emerged as one of the top 30 finalists for the design of the Calgary Stampede Poster in 2021. She is currently a member of the Calgary Sketch and Painting Club, a historic artistic club that is well respected in the community. Going forward, Danika will continue to make her mark in the artistic genre of expressive realism, capturing the spirit of animals on canvas.
-Written by Connor
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Which ’hood are you in?
I live in Calgary’s northwest, where I create my pieces out of my home studio. I also spend a lot of time in Bragg Creek, an area I find inspiring when creating new pieces.
What do you do?
I am a self-taught artist specializing in animal expressive realism. Capturing animals through oil painting on canvas has been a lifelong pursuit and passion. My artwork aims to capture the spirit of the subject, how the animal is feeling, and the emotions evoked during the encounter. My work focuses purely on the creature itself, leaving the environment purposely vague. The eye reveals the core essence of the animal, which has a dramatic effect on the viewer’s interpretation of the work as a whole, and therefore rightfully becomes the focal point of each piece.
What are you currently working on?
The holiday season is my busiest time of year. I am currently working on my oil paintings and hand-painted and wood-burned holiday ornaments that will be available this holiday season. All my ornaments are painted on locally sourced wood from Bragg Creek, AB. I am also currently working on a series of large wildlife oil paintings that will be released in 2026.
Where can we find your work?
This holiday season, you can find me and my work at the Millarville Christmas Market, Redwood Meadows Christmas Market, and the Under $100 Art Show! My work can also be found at MarketSpot in the CORE shopping centre, as well as at various shows throughout the year in Calgary, such as the Calgary Sketch and Painting Club’s 2 annual shows, and in the Western Oasis at the Calgary Stampede. My full collection of work can be viewed on my website and on Instagram.
