Adam grew up in western Newfoundland, where his fascination with art began at a young age. As a child, he would draw the things he loved—often his favorite cartoon characters like the Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers—and proudly display his creations around the house. Everyone knew him as the kid that loved art, and he remembers winning many colouring and art contests.

Like many aspiring artists, Adam was discouraged from pursuing art school due to concerns from his mentors about its practicality. Instead, he kept art as a beloved hobby and chose a different career path. After completing his undergraduate degree, Adam moved to Taiwan, where he spent nearly a decade teaching. This role brought him joy, particularly the opportunity to incorporate art into his lessons. His students eagerly looked forward to Friday art classes, where Adam could share in the love of all the colours of the rainbow. Upon returning to Canada, Adam made the decision to fully embrace his lifelong love of creation.

Now based in Calgary, Alberta, he specializes in custom portraiture of people and pets using oil paint, as well as creating and selling original works of art. Adam likes to paint colorful things found in nature - animals, fruit, and flowers mostly. Adam lives in Calgary with his partner, Gordon, and their dog, Harvey.

Studio location: Shaganappi Community, Calgary

Adam Brake

Precision has always been a fascination. My works are created entirely from memory, which is unfortunate, because my memory of what a human body looks like is apparently a circle on top with five lines coming out of it.

Through my process I develop original interpretations of the world around me. By simplifying and reducing, I can showcase the essential truth of any subject — that at its core, everything can be expressed in five lines or fewer. My loop-da-loops demonstrate a mastery of the continuous curve. My snowflakes contain multitudes.

So, as you can no doubt tell, I am an artist. Maybe? Probably... Yes, probably.
— Carlos Hernandez-Zelaya

— ARTISTS STATEMENT

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Beatrice Wilhelm