About the Artist
Full image
Canadian artist Sheila Ballantyne was born in 1959 and began her life-long journey in art growing up in Brockville Ontario. For the most part a self-taught artist, she spent her early teen years studying classical drawing technique under artist Mario Airomi, with whom her desire to become a professional artist was inspired and encouraged. As a young girl she was most content in spending time in nature and this still holds true today, often painting or sketching on location.
Over the years Sheila’s artwork received numerous awards and gained international recognition. Her paintings can be found in many collections around the world and were featured by conservation organizations including Ducks Unlimited Canada and Artists for Conservation. She was also a perennial exhibitor in the prestigious Buckhorn Wildlife Art festival. In 2003 Sheila was the featured artist for the WPBS TV Art Auction which aired a documentary about her career as an artist. More recent accomplishments include Finalist in the 13th, 15th, 16th and 17th International ARC Salon Competition and International Artist Magazine. As an ARC Finalist in 2025, her painting “Living Water” was selected to be included in the Lunar Codex, Polaris Collection, an international collection of the creative arts traveling from the earth to the moon in a time capsule.
Sheila’s paintings capture the strength and beauty found in creation through dramatic composition with a soft life-like quality that draws the viewer in. Her skill and versatility as an artist are demonstrated in the many subjects she portrays, often conveying a message of hope. Sheila also enjoys working in mixed media and sculpture but her true love is for painting and is now excited to also be leaning in the direction of figurative art. Recognizing her artistic ability as a gift and calling from God, much of Sheila’s art is dedicated to Christian ministry.
“Our natural world emanates such beauty, diversity and mystery that it is an endless well of inspiration to me. Producing art is a celebration of creativity, a characteristic we share with our Creator for we were made in his image.”
Career Record
Curriculum Vitae
Selected exhibitions, recognition, publications, and professional milestones.
Credits & Awards
2026
Second Place "Passages" 4th Annual Juried Show, Fulford Place.
2025
Best in Show “Gentle Giants” 3rd Annual Juried Art Show, Fulford Place
2025
“Living Water” Finalist in ARC 17th International Salon Competition, Landscape Category
2025
“Living Water” included in the Lunar Codex, Polaris Collection
2023
“Pure Gold” Finalist in ARC/Art Renewal Center, 16th International Salon Competition, Animal Category
2021
“Sleepyhead” 3rd place in 4th Annual Juried Exhibition, KSOA Window Gallery
2021
“Joy Comes in the Morning” Finalist in ARC, 15th International Salon Competition, Animal Category
2021
“Fledgling Sparrows” Semi-finalist in ARC/Art Renewal Center, 15th International Salon, Animal Category
2020
“Alone’” and “Never Alone” chosen for “The Covid Chronicles” collection, Studio 87
2020
“Joy Comes in the Morning” Honourable Mention Award, KSOA Window Gallery
2019
“Fledgling Sparrows” Honourable Mention Award, KSOA Window Gallery
2018
“Trust” Finalist in ARC/Art Renewal Center, 13th International Salon Competition, Still Life Category
2017
“Shattered” Finalist in International Artist Magazine, Issue 118, Dec 2017-Jan 2018
2017
CIVA selects “Good Morning” for “First Fruits” – 3 year traveling exhibition throughout the US
2012
Sculpture – “Prison of Pain” Second Place Juror’s Choice Award, 5th Annual Juried Art Show “Space”, MVS Gallery, St. Lawrence College, Brockville
2012
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival selects “Red-wing” as their 35th year anniversary promotional image
2011
“Timeless” People’s Choice Award – Marianne van Silfhout Gallery, St. Lawrence College
2010
“Tomahawk Rock” People’s Choice Award, Three Horse Art Studio Show
2008
“Front Row Seats” Juror’s Choice award, “Along the River’s Edge” 1000 Islands Arts Center
2007
Ducks Unlimited Canada selects “Thrill Seekers” for their 2008 National Art Portfolio
2004
Parks Canada St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Purchase Award
2003
Featured artist on WPBS-TV Annual Art Auction (set overbid record of $6,400 US)
2002
Frederick Remington Museum (Ogdensburg NY) International Juried Art Show
2001
Ducks Unlimited Canada – 2 paintings selected for DU National Art Portfolio
1992
Best in Show, Environmental Juried Art Show, “Who Cares?” St. Lawrence College
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Long time exhibitor in the prestigious Buckhorn Wildlife Art Festival.
Selected Exhibitions
2026
4th Annual Juried Art Show, Fulford Place.
2025
3rd Annual Juried Art Show, Fulford Place
2025
Annual Juried Show, Cline House Gallery
2023
“Spectrum”– Studies of Light, Algonquin Art Centre
2023
New Regionalism Project Collective and Special Exhibition “Home and Away” Buckhorn Fine Art Festival
2021
Annual Juried Exhibition, Window Gallery, KSOA
2018
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, Special Exhibition “The Life of Birds”
2018
AFC/Artists for Conservation “Silent Skies” Mural Project
2017
Arthur Childs Museum
2017
Special Exhibition, “Oh Canada! Our True North”, Buckhorn Fine Art Festival
2016
9th Annual Juried Art Show ‘Art & Soul’, MVS Gallery, St. Lawrence College
2015–2016
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival
2015
Artists for Conservation, Juried Art Show – Grouse Mt. Vancouver & Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2015
Solo Exhibition, Retrospect – Brockville Arts Center
2014
Juried Art Show “Water” – White Flag Gallery
2014
Studio Tour “Art in The City” – Brockville, ON
2013
Juried Art Show “The Creator’s Hand” – White Flag Gallery
2013
Annual Juried Art Salon – Kingston, ON
2012
AFC/Artists for Conservation 5th Juried Art Show “The Art of Conservation” – Grouse Mt. Vancouver BC
2012
MVS Gallery, St. Lawrence College, 5th Annual Juried Art Show; “Space”
2012
Frontenac Arch Biosphere / “Arts in the Arch” Juried Art Show, MVS Gallery
2011
AFC 4th Annual Juried Art Show, Grouse Mt, Vancouver & Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2011
‘Spirit of the Land’ – 4th Annual Juried Art Show, MVS Gallery, St. Lawrence College
2011
‘Along the River’s Edge’ – Annual Juried Art Show, 1000 Islands Arts Center
2011
Annual Juried Art Salon – Kingston Arts Council
2010–2012
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival
2010
The Art of Conservation, International exhibit of Nature in Art, Virtual Show
2010
Kingston Juried Art Salon
2009
2nd Annual Juried Art Show – Marianne van Silfhout Gallery, St. Lawrence College
2009
Beaux-Arts Brampton, “Walk on the Wild Side” Juried Art Show
2009
Featured Artist – S.A.I.L. Annual Art Show & Sale
2008–2014
Inspirations Art Gallery – White Flag Gallery, Co-Owner and Curator
2008–2010
Three Horse Art Studio Annual Show & Sale
2008–2010
Thousand Islands Arts Center juried art show “Along the River’s Edge”
2007
The Coach House Gallery
2005
Frederick Remington Museum, International Juried Art Show
2005
Kingston Juried Art Salon
2005
Brighton Applefest Art Show
2004–2008
Rideau Valley Art Festival
2004
“Bones of the Mother” Juried Art Show
2004
Thousand Islands Playhouse Gallery, “A Slice of Life”, Three Artist Show
2003
Nuttall Gallery, Wildlife Art Show
2002
Frederick Remington Museum, International Juried Art Show
2000
Nation’s Capital Fine Art Festival
2000
Simcoe Gallery “Nature and Wildlife”, Three Artist Show
1999
Mulberry Grange Art Show (By Invitation)
1998–2008
TIA Studio Tours, Up the Garden Path & A Country Home Christmas
1997
Solo Exhibition “A Glimpse of Portugal” Brockville Arts Center
1997–2005
Buckhorn Wildlife Art Festival
1996–2003
Thousand Islands Fine Arts Association (TIFAA) Annual Art Show
1992
Environmental Juried Art Show, “Who Cares?” St. Lawrence College
1989
Solo Exhibition, Brockville Arts Center
1982
Two Artist Exhibition, Brockville Arts Center
Reviews
2013
White Flag Gallery Opening in Downtown Brockville
2011
Inspirations Art Gallery: An Art Gallery of Inspirations
2011
St. Lawrence EMC, highlights gallery and Sheila’s upcoming exhibitions
2011
Cogeco-TV “The Source” profiles Sheila and Inspirations Art Gallery
2009
Living in Brockville Magazine features Sheila’s art and Inspirations Art Gallery in June issue
2008
The Reporter, Gananoque ON., “Artists Showcase Latest Work”, 3 Horse Art Studio
2008
Local Artist Receives Top Award in American Show
2008
St. Lawrence EMC, “Brockville Artist Uses Talents to Help Ontario’s Wetlands” Ducks Unlimited
2007
Four Area Artists Launch New Ivy Lea Gallery
2005
Brockville Recorder & Times, “Works of Local Artists Selected for Juried Show”, Frederick Remington Museum, Ogdensburg, New York
2004
Ballantyne Brings Vision of Nature to Life
2004
Parks Canada Purchase Award
2004
3 Artist Show, 1000 Islands Playhouse Gallery
2003
Ballantyne Painting Sets Record
2003
WPBS-TV Featured Artist
2003
Local Artist Hits Big Time in U.S.
2003
WPBS-TV Featured Artist
2003
Wildlife Show at Nuttall Gallery
2003
Take a Walk Up the Garden Path, Studio Tour
2003
Take in Nature and Art at Studio Tour
2001
Caintown Artist Has 2 Entries in Ducks Unlimited 2001 Catalogue
2000
Ducks Unlimited Awards
2000
Local Artist’s Work Makes D. U. Portfolio
2000
The National Post, Weekend Post/A & E, Simcoe Gallery, “Nature & Wildlife”, 3 Artist Show, TO
1997
Brockville Recorder & Times, “Caintown Artist Shows Work at BAC”, Brockville Art Centre
1986
Brockville Recorder & Times, Centre Stage with Dan Black,”2 Artist Show at BAC”
Publications
2024
Art of Nature – Birds, Pelee Island Bird Observatory, Regional Art Collection Calendar
2023
Art Renewal Center, International Realism Salon Catalogue
2021
Our Homes Magazine/Ottawa Summer
2017
International Artist Magazine, Finalist in Abstract/Experimental Art Competition, Issue 118
2016
AFC/Artists for Conservation, Show Companion Hard-Cover Book, one painting featured
2015
AFC/Artists for Conservation, Show Companion Hard-Cover Book, 2 paintings featured
2009
Living in Brockville Magazine
Television
2011
Cogeco TV “The Source” Profiles Sheila and Inspirations Art Gallery
2003
Featured Artist on WPBS-TV Annual Art Auction, Watertown, New York A half-hour documentary about Sheila’s life as an artist was produced and aired by WPBS-TV
Memberships
2012–2022
CIVA / Christians in the Visual Arts, Member
2004–2018
AFC / Artists for Conservation, Signature Member
2004–2015