OIL ON CANVAS ONTARIO, CANADAIn the summer of 2005, Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont was proud to welcome Jake Vandenbrink to our fine collection of Canadian artists. The Canadian wilderness and its wildlife inspire an active fascination for this Ontario born artist. His endless compassion for realistically portraying nature's beauty began at an early age. A great deal of time was spent consuming the sights and sounds of the world around him, later recording them with pencil and paper. Since then Jake has established a personal style of painting, which has become accepted by collectors of fine art in Canada and the United States and Europe. Today Jake maintains a strong desire for capturing the serenity of our wilderness, through his talent and dedication. In earlier years the artist worked in pencil, pen and ink, and oils, later painting primarily in acrylics. After several years of developing his style, Jake's work took on a more realistic approach, which to this day he continues to nurture and refine. Strict attention is given to each new image through the careful use of colour, lighting and mood. "I want the viewer to be emotionally involved with the scene, and be given the feeling of really being there," says the artist about his work. Being an avid supporter of many conservation groups, Jake's art has raised thousands of dollars towards the preservation of wildlife and environment. His work has been both popular and sought after at fund raising auctions and galleries across Canada. It is through this popularity that Ducks Unlimited, Canada recently awarded him the honor of being their 1993 National Artist. Residing with his wife in Southern Ontario, Jake continues to seek inspiration that the Canadian wilderness is so generous in providing. It is through his creations that the viewer can share in the artist's vision and evoke an awareness of the beauty surrounding us, which is ours to enjoy and protect.