“A Day in the Life” of local landscape painter Wanru Kemp

February 10, 2021 Admin Arts, Visual Arts

“My wife Wanru Kemp’s paintings are breathtaking, but what you don’t know is that she is a great cook. Our family is spoiled eating many Chinese, Thai, and Japanese dishes prepared with her meticulous focus on fresh ingredients. What surprised me is she can always turn a few ingredients left in the fridge into a delicious and interesting meal.

She is a quiet person with a lot of energy for making and designing things. Woodworking, brewing kombucha, fermenting Szechuan pickles, vermiculture composting, …. Our next big project is planning and building a greenhouse for our backyard so we can extend the growing season. We hope we can use rain barrels to collect water and design a compost wall that can produce enough heat to keep the plants cozy during cold snaps.

Since moving to Alberta, her artwork has been inspired by the glorious Rockies, the golden snowfields, and the big, big sky.”

-Wanru Kemp’s husband

I started indoor vermiculture a couple of months ago. Every morning I want to check what my worms are doing. But I think it's better to leave them alone.
I started indoor vermiculture a couple of months ago. Every morning I want to check what my worms are doing. But I think it’s better to leave them alone.
And putting my face in my plants. Pretending I am a cat sometimes.
And putting my face in my plants. Pretending I am a cat sometimes.
During the winter, I spend most of my time painting in my home studio.
During the winter, I spend most of my time painting in my home studio.

Or painting in the snow.
Or painting in the snow.
But I think I enjoy painting in the summer under a tree more.
But I think I enjoy painting in the summer under a tree more.
And hanging out with my family and friends on the beach.
And hanging out with my family and friends on the beach.
Last spring I threw a big bag of wildflower seeds on my yard, the reward was amazing. There will always be some difficult times in our life. I think trying to remember some of the beautiful things makes life a little bit easier.
Last spring I threw a big bag of wildflower seeds on my yard, the reward was amazing. There will always be some difficult times in our life. I think trying to remember some of the beautiful things makes life a little bit easier.
A cloud can easily make me feel exhilarated.
A cloud can easily make me feel exhilarated.
At the end of some days, it’s hard to leave my studio. Too much fun!
At the end of some days, it’s hard to leave my studio. Too much fun!
A novelist can use words to make people see a picture, I would like to use my paintings to tell my feelings. I think that is the most charming part of art.
A novelist can use words to make people see a picture, I would like to use my paintings to tell my feelings. I think that is the most charming part of art.
Last week I remodeled my studio. Now it is more functional for large canvas paintings.
Last week I remodeled my studio. Now it is more functional for large canvas paintings.

What ‘hood are you in?

I live in the Sheep River neighbourhood of Okotoks. My family and I regularly enjoy walking and playing on the river. The magnificent pink prairie sunsets and mountain vistas always put a smile on my face.

What do you do?

I am a full-time landscape painter. I paint commissions and sell my paintings and prints online and at art shows.

What are you currently working on?

I am painting Lake Louise in the sunlight on a large canvas. And a commission painting of Tofino.

Where can we find your work?

Solo show at Okotoks Art Gallery Sep. 2021. If it’s not postponed again.

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