About

Abby Dickinson - Portrait Artist, Calgary Alberta

I studied fine art at NSCAD University, in my hometown of Halifax Nova Scotia. I recently reignited my passion for painting after working professionally as a Graphic Designer here in Calgary for several years.

I paint portraiture almost exclusively, in my chosen medium of oil. My work aims to capture both the person’s likeness and personality in an honest way with a focus on conveying a relatable feeling in each painting. I like subjects with character and very animated or emotion-filled expressions, ranging from melancholic to goofy. I use a layering process to explore form and depth of colour, and the way the face can be manipulated to show different emotions. You’ll find many a raised eyebrow, wrinkle, fold, and squished cheek in my work.