Penny Prior is a third generation resident of Galiano, a small island community off Canada’s West Coast, midway between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Penny’s grandparents and great uncle were among the first to settle on Galiano in the early 1900’s. Penny has spent much of her life on this enchanted island, surrounded by spectacular scenery, wildlife and many of her family and friends.

Rich in personal history and natural beauty, it is here where Penny finds the inspiration for much of her work as a painter.

It was her Aunt, Elizabeth Steward, who afforded Penny her first brush with the world of painting. Aunty Betty, as she was affectionately known by her family, was a renowned Gulf Islands artist who exuded a love for art. “Painting is my passion,” said Penny in a recent interview. “I love the challenge a blank page. Of mixing intellect, creativity and curiosity with a bit of paint to end up with a well-balanced, sensitive image.”

Her subject is the pristine world around her. “The local wildlife, the creatures living amongst us, ourselves and our island lifestyle,” she explains. Playful and times and serious at others, “I feel excited by the surprises, and ever curious as to where it all comes from and where it ends up.”

According to Penny, painting is both a means of self-discovery and communication.

Watercolours and acrylics are her materials of choice and the size of her works vary considerably, from murals to small canvasses. Her works are shown on Galiano and Saltspring Islands and are held in the collections of art lovers around the world.

Penny studied formally at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia where she earned a Diploma in Fine Arts. She also studied at the world-renowned Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. She participated in workshops with many local and international artists including: Gordon Caruso, Molly Lamb Boback, Leslie Poole and Gordon Smith.

Penny is also an active member of the Galiano community. She often teaches summer art classes to children, sharing her love of art.