Centre d'arts visuels de l'Alberta Doris Charest Studio

She is a teacher by trade, but Doris Charest is foremost an artist. Having painted since 1990, she now teaches the skills and methods related to painting acrylic, watercolour, oils and collage, on top of doing her own commissions and artwork.

“When my husband was transferred to Houston, I couldn’t work or go to school because my degree wasn’t recognized. So my neighbour suggested taking painting classes with her to alleviate the boredom. She got me started and I just kept on going,” says Doris.

“As kids came along, I painted less, but I still enjoyed it,” says Doris. “Eventually I wanted my own space to work in, and though it took me a while to find a good location for a studio in Edmonton, I now work from there with two other artists.”