This dramatic composition of a shoreline, forest and sky is by Toronto artist Julie Himel. Known for her imaginative interpretation of the traditional landscape, Himel often uses a bright colour palette. This piece, in mixed media displays rich and darker tones of green and gray colours highlighted by yellows and a touch of turquoise.

“Trees falling down, moss growing on them…I try to bring those aspects of decay and the cycle of life into my work. I have no time for the Instagram life of perfectly polished everything. That’s not life.” Julie Himel

She completed a BFA at York University with additional studies at the Toronto School of Art and Langara College in Vancouver. Himel has been painting professionally for more than 20 years. Her award-winning paintings can be found in private, corporate and public collections.