W J Bradley

Artist

For over 30 years I have been painting professionally in oils and watercolours and my passion is hiking and painting En Plein Air. Larger Studio paintings are then done in transparent glazes from the smaller sketches.

Born in Banff in the Canadian Rockies, I have been privileged to live and paint in the mountains for most of my life.

Studio Paintings, Oils

Studio Paintings, Watercolours

En Plein Air Paintings, Watercolours & Oils

Contact

If you have questions about my art, upcoming events, purchasing or mentoring with Artistic Journeys…then please contact me and we’ll move the conversation on from there.

Thank you and Happy Trails!
Wendy

W J Bradley, Artist
Artistic Journeys
wjbradley@artisticjourneys.ca
@wjbradleyartist
(403) 762-5528

Press

“…Wendy Bradley is happiest when she’s painting. And while she would be happy painting on the East Coast, the West Coast, in Europe or the Yukon, the fourth generation Banffite is happiest painting the mountains of her childhood. …Under Bradley’s brush, the glaze and …paints evoke a sense of shared experience – whoever has seen sunlight hit the surface of a turquoise mountain lake will immediately recognize the luminous quality in her paintings as true.”
Rob Alexander, “Hometown Source of Inspiration”, Rocky Mountain Outlook 2007

“W J Bradley celebrates commitment to place, to people & to art. Bradley’s radiant paintings are the result of both a lasting relationship with the mountains, place of her birth, and with each painting itself. Shaped over months of time, with many layers of glazes, she is intent on revealing the best qualities of oil painting…Mountain lakes, presented in a dazzling warm light, positively shimmer under our gaze, captured not in an impressionistic reaction, but in a well thought out arrangement of thin layers of pure colour highlighted with opaque accents. …A unique and highly personal interpretation, these paintings glow with a life of their own. …A Bradley painting is not only seen – it is encountered.”
Erica Neumann, Neumann Gallery 2009

“Born and raised in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Bradley’s awe inspiring landscape paintings speak volumes of her profound love for western Canada’s majestic natural panoramas. …A primarily self-taught artist, Bradley’s passion for sublime landscapes has taken her all across Western Canada to locations such as Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park, Mount Assiniboine, Bow Lake, Haida Gwaii, Atlin in the far north of British Columbia and the Yukon. An oil and watercolour Plein-air landscape specialist who counts John Singer Sargent and Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven among her inspirations, she has participated in numerous solo and group shows throughout Alberta, and as an Artist-in-Residence has participated in programs at Num-Ti-Jah Lodge at Bow Lake and at the Haig Glacier, Kananaskis, on behalf of the Canadian Olympic Development Association (CODA). Her work is represented in collections throughout the world.”
Benjamin Freeland
“Aclaimed Artist Graces Waterton”, The Boundary, Waterton National Park, 2008

About the Artist; Bio & CV

I am enamoured with the majestic beauty of the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park and the surrounding area as four generations of my family have. Born in Banff, recollections of inspiring people and their stories – usually involving horseback riding, skiing and hiking – are woven into the fabric of my life. This strong sense of place and history was nurtured by my grandfather, Chuck Millar, who was a trail guide and packer beginning in the 1930’s in Banff.

These exhilarating mountain landscapes find expression in every aspect of my life.

Building on a legacy of appreciation for pristine wilderness, natural environs and mountain culture, my journeys continue to carry me into new horizons to explore and paint. I have hiked, climbed, snow-shoed and arrived by helicopter to find a place to stand or sit with my pochade and paints. I paint regardless of the weather, in daylight or moonlight hours and in temperatures to -16C. A painting kit accompanies me on every adventure!

My passion is painting en plein air in watercolours and oils. This passion has taken me to glaciers, lakes, mountain hillsides, forests and meadows in the Bow Valley and beyond to oceans and old growth forests. Some of my favourite backcountry studios are at Lake O’Hara, Mount Assiniboine, Bow Lake, Haida Gwaii and the West Coast in Canada. I’ve painted in France and Scotland and the desert in Sedona, USA.

W J BRADLEY, Curriculum Vitae

Solo Show: 2018 ‘My Mountain Home’
The Old Crag Cabin, Banff, AB
An exhibition and sale of original oils, watercolours & reproductions

Solo Show: 2016 ‘Open Doors’
Studio, Canmore, AB
An exhibition and sale of original oils, watercolours & reproductions

Solo Show: 2014 ‘W J Bradley: Seasons’
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB
An exhibition and sale of original oils

Solo Show: 2013 ‘W J Bradley: Journeys’
The Heron, Victoria, BC
An exhibition and sale of original oils

Solo Show: 2012 ‘Artistic Journeys, W J Bradley’
Bison Courtyard, Banff, AB
An exhibition and sale of original oils & watercolours

Solo Show: 2011 ‘W J Bradley: A Sense of Place’
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB
An exhibition and sale of original oils

Solo Show: 2007 ‘Artistic Journeys, W J Bradley’
Harmony Lane, Banff, AB
An exhibition and sale of original oils, watercolours & reproductions

Solo Show: 2003 ‘Artistic Journeys’
Banff Television Festival, Canmore, AB
An exhibition and sale of original oils & watercolours

Group Shows:

2014-2016 ‘JOY’
Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB

2009 ‘Light Up the Night’
Neumann Gallery, Okotoks, AB

2008 – ‘Group Show’
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

2007 – ‘Diversity & Women’
International Women’s Day
Banff Library, Banff, AB

2006 – ‘Homegrown’
Town of Banff, Banff, AB

2005 – ‘The Art of History’
Alberta’s Centennial
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Bow Lake, AB

2003 – ‘Source’
United Nations International Year of Fresh Water
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Bow Lake, AB

2002 – ‘Local Colour’
United Nations International Year of Mountains
Wild Elements Gallery, Banff, AB

1999-2001 – ‘From the Heart’
Canmore Hospital Art Show, Canmore, AB

1999-2001 – ‘CAAG’ (Canmore Artists & Artisans Guild
Canmore, AB

1998-1999 – ‘Twin Peaks’
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

Selected Publications:

2011 – ‘Bow Lake, Images in Art’
Jane Lytton Gooch

2007 – ‘Mount Assiniboine, Images in Art’
Jane Lytton Gooch

2003-2007 – ‘Local Lowdown’
YWCA of Banff

2006 – ‘Artistic Odyssey’
Experience Life Magazine, MN USA

1999 – ‘Painting Peaks’
Alpine Club of Canada Gazette

Awards With Distinction:

2022 – ‘Award of Excellence’
Priddis Millarville Fair

2005 – ‘Best Heritage Related Experience’
Illustrations for Museo Paks

Awards:

2005, 2007 – ‘Guest Artist’
Canada Day
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

2006 – ‘Artist in House’
The Juniper, Banff, BC

2003 – ‘Artist in Retreat’
Atlin Art Centre, Atlin, BC

2002-2005 – ‘Artist in Residence’
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Bow Lake, AB

2002-2005 ‘Guest Artist’
Culture Walk, Plein Air Painting
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

2002 – ‘Artist in Residence’
CODA (Calgary Olympic Development Association), Haig Glacier, Kananaskis, AB

1997-1998 – ‘Guest Artist’
Plein Air Painters of Alberta (PAPA)

Collections:
My works are represented nationally and internationally including;
CODA, CBC/Radio Canada, CTV, A&E Network, Global Television, NHK, RTE, BBC, ABC, SATEL and MDA. And many Private Collections.

Logo & Set Design & Architectural Renderings:
Mountain Homes for Humanity – 2001
Grace Community Alliance Church – 1996
Red Deer Christian School – 1995
Southview Alliance Church – 1994-1996

Donations for Fundraisers:
Mineral Springs Hospital
Canmore iHighland Dancing
Calgary Children’s Hospital
Rotary Club of Banff (5 years)
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies Gala & Christmas Event (3 years)
Calgary Rugby Association

Affiliations:
Rotary Club of Banff (past Secretary)
Alpine Club of Canada
CAAG (Canmore Artists & Artisans Guild)

Volunteering:
Priddis Millarville Fair
Canmore Folk Festival (2 years)
Canmore Highland games (3 years)
Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation