Ross Penhall
My painting subjects are varied. There are a few elements that will draw me to a scene; solid forms, light and a basic composition I can make my own. Someone once said, “Never let a landscape get in the way of a good composition”. I couldn’t agree more. Spending the time to recreate what’s in front of you is the artists job. Cropping, chopping, squishing, flipping, erasing, adding are all my usual tricks. My subjects are found while traveling; out walking, biking, boating or driving. Coastal mountains, city streets, California hills and valleys and the central prairie are all reoccurring themes.
Biography
Ross was born on June 16, 1959 in West Vancouver, British Columbia. His parents provided incredible support to their budding young artist who displayed an early affinity for drawing and designing. Ross attended the studio art program at Capilano College and studied print making with internationally renowned print maker Wayne Eastcott. Ross continued his education in extra-sessional studies at the Emily Carr College of Art, and when not at the firehall, by tirelessly reading and working in his studio.
Nature as shaped and redefined by human hands is the focus of Ross Penhall’s captivating yet enigmatic paintings. His work depicts enchanting, manicured, urban landscapes – groomed lawns, shaped shrubbery, pruned trees – all arranged in eye- pleasing symmetry that speaks of a serene, orderly world.
Drawing upon the influences of such notable painters as Thomas Hart Benton, Georgia O’Keefe, Grant Wood and Emily Carr, Penhall has taken his own turn enhancing the enhancements. He flattens, stylizes and simplifies forms, embellishes colors and exaggerates contrasts. The result is a make-believe, somewhat unreal landscape that although compelling, serves as a gentle reminder that nature is never static, and man’s imprint is transitory unless vigilantly maintained.
Penhall credits the work of artists A. J. Casson and the Group of Seven, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood and Wayne Thiebaud for inspiring his quest to explore the architectural space and light of the landscape. Additionally, the rhythmic shapes and colours in the work of Georgia O’Keefe have also been a strong influence. Nevertheless, the greatest influence on Penhall’s life and art has been living in the high-contrast hillsides of Vancouver’s North Shore.
Ross is a disciplined and prolific artist who has exhibited annually since 1995. His work can be found in numerous private, corporate and public collections in the United States and in Canada. Ross is the father of two adult children, Sam and Sophie, who have been a source of support and inspiration to his art career. Ross currently paints from his studio in Vancouver and lives with his wife, Caron, and his dog, Howie, in Horseshoe Bay, BC.
Born
1959 West Vancouver, BC.
Selected Private and Corporate Collections
Canaccord Capital Corporation • Connor Clark & Co. Ltd • Central One Credit Union • Deans Knight Capital Management • Diana Krall & Elvis Costello • Goepel Shields & Partners • Grouse Mountain Resort • Harper Grey Eason LLP • Highland Capital • Intrawest Corporation: Whistler & Florida • Lions Gate Hospital • Malcolm Hasman • Motion Industries (Canada) Inc. • Pacific Arbour Group • Prospero International Realty Inc. • QLT Inc. • Quorum Business Lawyers • Quorum Funding Corporation • RBC Dominion Securities • RJA Medicenters • Scotia McLeod • St. Paul’s Hospital • Saturna Island Vineyards • Schemiak Art Gallery, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan • Stikeman Elliot • University of British Columbia • Vicki Gabereau • Vancity Credit Union • Vancouver Burn Fund Centre • Vancouver General Hospital • Vancoucer Hospice Society • West Vancouver Museum & Archives
Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
2023 Recent Paintings of Califonria and Vancouver, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Montecito, CA
2021 Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
2021 Shape and Structure, Caldwell Snyder Galley, San Francisco, CA
2020 Far and Wide, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA
2019 Art Palm Springs, Caldwell Snyder Gallery
Standing Still, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena
Art Market San Francisco, Caldwell Snyder Gallery
2018 Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
Art Market, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, SF, CA.
Art Fair, Seattle, WA.
West Vancouver Art Museum, West Vancouver BC.
2017 Quietly Unsettled, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Art Market San Francisco, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, SF, CA.
Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
2016 Small Break Throughs, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Context Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
2015 From the Corner of My Eye, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2014 Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
West Vancouver Museum, West Vancouver, BC.
2013 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2012 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
2011 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Alpha Omega Winery, Rutherford, CA.
West Vancouver Museum & Archives, West Vancouver, BC.
2010 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Winsor Gallery, Vancouver, BC.
2008 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Ontario.
2007 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
2006 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Trajan Gallery, Carmel, CA.
2005 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
SF International Art Exposition, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2004 Orcas in the City Fundraiser, Vancouver, BC.
Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
2003 Art Chicago, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Chicago, IL.
20th Gallery Anniversary, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco,CA.
Trajan Gallery, Carmel, CA.
2002 Trajan Gallery, Carmel, CA.
2001 Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver, BC.
2000 2 X 2, Buschlen Mowatt Annex, Vancouver, BC.
Graduated Perspectives, Capilano College, Vancouver, BC.
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada.
Visions of the North Shore Print Show, West Vancouver, BC.
Art London, Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, London, Engalnd.
Press
PRESS
Selected Artworks
Born
1959 West Vancouver, BC.
Selected Private and Corporate Collections
Canaccord Capital Corporation • Connor Clark & Co. Ltd • Central One Credit Union • Deans Knight Capital Management • Diana Krall & Elvis Costello • Goepel Shields & Partners • Grouse Mountain Resort • Harper Grey Eason LLP • Highland Capital • Intrawest Corporation: Whistler & Florida • Lions Gate Hospital • Malcolm Hasman • Motion Industries (Canada) Inc. • Pacific Arbour Group • Prospero International Realty Inc. • QLT Inc. • Quorum Business Lawyers • Quorum Funding Corporation • RBC Dominion Securities • RJA Medicenters • Scotia McLeod • St. Paul’s Hospital • Saturna Island Vineyards • Schemiak Art Gallery, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan • Stikeman Elliot • University of British Columbia • Vicki Gabereau • Vancity Credit Union • Vancouver Burn Fund Centre • Vancouver General Hospital • Vancoucer Hospice Society • West Vancouver Museum & Archives
Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
2023 Recent Paintings of Califonria and Vancouver, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Montecito, CA
2021 Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
2021 Shape and Structure, Caldwell Snyder Galley, San Francisco, CA
2020 Far and Wide, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA
2019 Art Palm Springs, Caldwell Snyder Gallery
Standing Still, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena
Art Market San Francisco, Caldwell Snyder Gallery
2018 Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
Art Market, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, SF, CA.
Art Fair, Seattle, WA.
West Vancouver Art Museum, West Vancouver BC.
2017 Quietly Unsettled, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Art Market San Francisco, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, SF, CA.
Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
2016 Small Break Throughs, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Context Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
2015 From the Corner of My Eye, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2014 Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
West Vancouver Museum, West Vancouver, BC.
2013 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2012 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC.
2011 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Alpha Omega Winery, Rutherford, CA.
West Vancouver Museum & Archives, West Vancouver, BC.
2010 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Winsor Gallery, Vancouver, BC.
2008 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Ontario.
2007 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
2006 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Trajan Gallery, Carmel, CA.
2005 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
SF International Art Exposition, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2004 Orcas in the City Fundraiser, Vancouver, BC.
Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
2003 Art Chicago, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Chicago, IL.
20th Gallery Anniversary, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco,CA.
Trajan Gallery, Carmel, CA.
2002 Trajan Gallery, Carmel, CA.
2001 Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver, BC.
2000 2 X 2, Buschlen Mowatt Annex, Vancouver, BC.
Graduated Perspectives, Capilano College, Vancouver, BC.
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada.
Visions of the North Shore Print Show, West Vancouver, BC.
Art London, Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, London, Engalnd.
Ross was born on June 16, 1959 in West Vancouver, British Columbia. His parents provided incredible support to their budding young artist who displayed an early affinity for drawing and designing. Ross attended the studio art program at Capilano College and studied print making with internationally renowned print maker Wayne Eastcott. Ross continued his education in extra-sessional studies at the Emily Carr College of Art, and when not at the firehall, by tirelessly reading and working in his studio.
Nature as shaped and redefined by human hands is the focus of Ross Penhall’s captivating yet enigmatic paintings. His work depicts enchanting, manicured, urban landscapes – groomed lawns, shaped shrubbery, pruned trees – all arranged in eye- pleasing symmetry that speaks of a serene, orderly world.
Drawing upon the influences of such notable painters as Thomas Hart Benton, Georgia O’Keefe, Grant Wood and Emily Carr, Penhall has taken his own turn enhancing the enhancements. He flattens, stylizes and simplifies forms, embellishes colors and exaggerates contrasts. The result is a make-believe, somewhat unreal landscape that although compelling, serves as a gentle reminder that nature is never static, and man’s imprint is transitory unless vigilantly maintained.
Penhall credits the work of artists A. J. Casson and the Group of Seven, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood and Wayne Thiebaud for inspiring his quest to explore the architectural space and light of the landscape. Additionally, the rhythmic shapes and colours in the work of Georgia O’Keefe have also been a strong influence. Nevertheless, the greatest influence on Penhall’s life and art has been living in the high-contrast hillsides of Vancouver’s North Shore.
Ross is a disciplined and prolific artist who has exhibited annually since 1995. His work can be found in numerous private, corporate and public collections in the United States and in Canada. Ross is the father of two adult children, Sam and Sophie, who have been a source of support and inspiration to his art career. Ross currently paints from his studio in Vancouver and lives with his wife, Caron, and his dog, Howie, in Horseshoe Bay, BC.
Biography
Press
My painting subjects are varied. There are a few elements that will draw me to a scene; solid forms, light and a basic composition I can make my own. Someone once said, “Never let a landscape get in the way of a good composition”. I couldn’t agree more. Spending the time to recreate what’s in front of you is the artists job. Cropping, chopping, squishing, flipping, erasing, adding are all my usual tricks. My subjects are found while traveling; out walking, biking, boating or driving. Coastal mountains, city streets, California hills and valleys and the central prairie are all reoccurring themes.
Ross Penhall
For thirty years, I have committed to showing up at my studio almost daily to paint or print-make. During these three decades, through trial and error, I have learned three simple rules to assist me with this artistic calling. First, I remind myself to have gratitude for the space and time to create. Second, I keep in mind that hard work, which includes success and failure, is mandatory and more important than raw talent. Finally, I’ve realized that loneliness, and the isolating process of creating that can define a struggling artist, must be reframed as solitude; the ego must be left outside the studio door to promote pure imagination.
My painting subjects are varied. There are a few elements that will draw me to a scene; solid forms, light and a basic composition I can make my own. Someone once said, “Never let a landscape get in the way of a good composition”. I couldn’t agree more. Spending the time to recreate what’s in front of you is the artists job. Cropping, chopping, squishing, flipping, erasing, adding are all my usual tricks. My subjects are found while traveling; out walking, biking, boating or driving. Coastal mountains, city streets, California hills and valleys and the central prairie are all reoccurring themes.