Collection: Sutherland, Gail

Gail Sutherland is a fine artist based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University and began her career in Montreal as a graphic designer and illustrator, later managing a studio. After moving to Nova Scotia in 1990, she gradually shifted her focus to painting, developing her practice through workshops with local and international artists. In 2011, she was elected to the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour. Her work has been featured in The Art of Watercolour magazine, and she has represented Canada at the Fabriano In Acquarello Symposium in Italy. Most recently, she was honoured to have her work exhibited at the IWM International Watercolour Masters 2026 in Shropshire, England. Her paintings are held in private and corporate collections and have been exhibited locally and internationally.

Artist Statement

My work is inspired by a lifelong connection to both art and the natural world, and by the quiet, ever-changing beauty of the Maritimes. Working primarily in watercolour, often combined with pastel and pencil, I'm drawn to the balance between control and sponteaneity, an interplay that reflects the rhythms of nature. Painting en plain air is central to my process, encouraging me to slow down, observe, and respond intuitively. While the landscape provides the starting point, my focus is on expressing the feeling of a place, its atmosphere, its essence, and our connection to it. Through my work, I hope to inspire a sense of appreciation, reflection, and connection.