2025 Banff Retreat Instructors

Michael King, a Canadian painter, is passionate about plein air (outdoor) painting, concentrating on capturing the essence of the landscape with swift, single strokes of  colour. His direct experiences in the outdoors serve as a driving force behind the creation of his more extensive studio works.

Always looking for the nuance of light, shape and colour, he combines representational elements with an Impressionistic style. His paintings strike a balance between realistic observation and abstract interpretation resulting in a unique and captivating aesthetic.

Having acquired a formal education in Industrial Design from Carleton University in Ottawa, King's professional journey in product design has significantly shaped his perspective on fine art. He prioritizes a thorough understanding of the technical facets of painting, creating  muscle memory that allows the educated subconscious to assume control, simplifying the painting process.  

As an avid instructor, his workshops impart painting and design concepts in a clear and approachable manner. His philosophy is rooted in the scientific fundamentals of perception and observation, coupled with time-tested art principles.  

Born in 1969 in Manitoba, David Shkolny (BFA, NSCAD 1992), has been painting landscapes for almost forty years. With twenty-four years of experience teaching, including painting holidays in Italy, he loves to share his experience working in the captivating medium of pastel. David’s studios are based in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. His work can be found in international collections including the Canada Council. David recently placed first and was the people’s choice winner in the 2024 annual plein air competition in Red Deer, Alberta. He also placed first in the Rosebud Art Collective Paint Out in 2024. 

I am often surprised at how my life has unfolded. At no point do I recall making the decision to become an artist, yet as I reflect on it, the drive to create is central to my character. My grade school math books were embellished with countless doodles and drawings. My mom was a painter. Most days after school I’d find her in our kitchen – her makeshift studio – rendering images of Chianti in stemmed wine glasses, perennial flowers from her garden, and wicker baskets filled with the harvest of bright vegetables that my dad grew. The spectacular prairie and mountain landscapes of Calgary where I have lived my entire life, have provided endless inspiration. I have developed a fondness for the level of concentration required to paint well. It challenges me unlike anything else. The press of viscid paint from its tube - quinacridone rose…manganese blue – satisfies. The anticipation of first brush marks on blank canvas exhilarates. When a painting turns out just right, I still feel like my ten-year old self, racing into the kitchen to share my accomplishment, “Hey Mom, look what I made!” Hoping to make it on to the world class “refrigerator” gallery. 

My paintings are now housed in private and public collections around the world. I am  fortunate now to earn a living from my art. I teach my craft to amateur and professional artists alike, and operate an art supply store in Calgary. Yet, art is and always has been more than a job. In many ways, I feel like I’m still discovering what it means to be an artist, filled with the same wonder and delight I experienced as a child. The early twentieth century American painter Robert Henri described my sentiment best when he wrote, “I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.”