I’m a Calgary-based painter, mother, and data analyst who spends as much free time as possible outdoors on a bike or skis.
I loved drawing as a kid, but set it aside for years while getting an education and building a corporate career, always assuming I’d get back to it when things slowed down. The turning point was watching my dad, who had Parkinson’s, struggle just to write my mom’s name inside a birthday card. Seeing that made it very clear that waiting around for a "convenient time" doesn't work. In 2013, I started sketching again and eventually completed a diploma in botanical art as well as graphic design courses through U of C Continuing Education.
After spending nearly ten years focusing on detailed botanical work, my style naturally shifted. Botanical painting taught me discipline and the ability to observe details and subtle shifts in colour, but I wanted a practice that fit my everyday life better. Moving to a looser impressionist approach gave me the freedom to paint what I actually experience—the Alberta landscape and the energy of people out enjoying nature.
Sonia Utting
“Based in Calgary, Alberta, I paint the beauty I see in our city, the foothills, and the mountains, as well as the people who live their lives in this beautiful place. I work primarily in gouache and watercolour; these mediums allow me to capture the saturated colours found in the real world while providing the ability to build many layers and add rich texture. My artistic practice is anchored in deep observation, followed by an impressionistic interpretation of the scene that is sprinkled with sparkle and creativity. Through this process, I aim to capture the shifting light and magical moments of Calgary and the surrounding area. Driven by a deep appreciation of nature, my work celebrates the vibrancy, texture, and enduring spirit of our shared natural world.”
— ARTISTS STATEMENT