“A Day in the Life” with Calgary Artist Ashley Gaboury

Ashley Gaboury is a mixed media artist and illustrator who specializes in finely descriptive animal and portrait work. She has been teaching art to youth and adults for over 20 years and her clear instruction and demonstration of technique has been transformative for many of her students, including myself. She works closely with The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and her art has featured several of the rescued animals from the facility. She has a special relationship with canine/lupine animals, and her renditions of these beautiful creatures carry a deep weight of emotion. Ashley has devoted her life to art and art education, and her passion for her work and for teaching is evident in everything that she does.

-Written by Elisa Shigehiro, student Tattoo Artist – Jade and Dagger Tattoo

Ashley Gaboury
Hanging out with my dog Olivia at home.
Ashley Gaboury
Sitting on my front porch at home in High River.
Teaching at Swinton’s – Expressive Animals.
Ashley Gaboury
Painting in my home studio in High River – Grizz from The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.
Finished painting of Odin from The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.
Ashley Gaboury
Student finished work from my Expressive Animals workshop at Swinton’s Art Supplies in Calgary.
Student working on a painting during my Expressive Animals workshop.

Which ’hood are you in?

I currently live in High River, Alberta. I commute to Calgary and the area for teaching and other artistic endeavours.

What do you do?

I create in a myriad of mediums including but not limited to watercolours, alcohol-based markers, acrylics, and mixed media. More recently I have specialized my art training with GOLDEN and Silver Brush to become a GOLDEN Artist Educator and Silver Brush Educator. I offer Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media classes and workshops to pre-teens/teens and adults primarily in Calgary and the area.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on a new series based on the wolfdogs from The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, including Horton who was one of the Wolfdogs rescued from Milk River. This series is an exploration of mixed media and incorporates metallics for striking juxtapositions.

Where can we find your work?

You can find my work at Lineham House Galleries in Okotoks, as well as at The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary just outside of Cochrane. My Wolfdog Coloring Books can be found at Swinton’s Art Supplies in Calgary, Paintworks Art Studio and The OAG in Okotoks and Olive and Finch in High River. A portion of each colouring book sold is donated back to the sanctuary. You can also find out more about me and my art on Instagram.

 

 

About Sofia Touboul 11 Articles
Multicultural artist and videographer. Her French and Colombian parents and her childhood in Israel led to a severe coffee, croissant, and shakshuka addiction. Obsessed with Instagram, she loves to share her life experiences. Follow Sofía on Instagram.