Harnessing Styles of the Group of Seven wtih Cara Bain, AFCA

June 7th - 8th, 2025

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (PDT) 

Location: Federation Academy on Granville Island,  1310 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S1 

Level: Suitable for Beginner & Intermediate Level

Medium: Acrylic & Oil 

Workshop Overview:

Discover the rich artistic legacy of Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven in this immersive painting course. Explore the bold brushwork, vibrant colors, and dynamic compositions that define their iconic landscapes. 

Through guided exercises and personal projects, learn to capture the spirit of the Canadian wilderness while experimenting with techniques inspired by artists like Lawren Harris and J.E.H. MacDonald. We will study the creative process and stylistic commonalities these artists share and learn to infuse our own paintings with these traits. Develop your skills in color mixing, texture, and atmospheric perspective as you bring dramatic skies, rugged shorelines, and forested scenes to life. 

Suitable for oils or acrylics, this course encourages creative interpretation while honoring the distinctive style of the Group of Seven. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of their artistry as well as newfound confidence and style in your own work.

About the Instructor - Cara Bain, AFCA

Cara Bain has a passion for capturing the people and places that surround her. Her art communicates complex ideas through the human form, and she is known for her expressive landscapes and unique use of oil paint with copper patina in her figurative work. Her art explores the connections people find with themselves, with others, and with their surroundings.

For nearly two decades, she has been enchanted by the breathtaking landscapes of British Columbia, painting both ‘en plein air’ and in the studio. The boundless beauty of this region serves as a constant muse, driving her passion to translate the essence of nature onto canvas. Her goal is to share the profound emotions she experiences when immersed in these natural wonders — feelings of tranquility, invigoration, and awe. Through her landscape paintings, she strives to convey the energy, peace, and wonder that nature instills in her.

Since 2016, Cara has been an art instructor, teaching and inspiring adults, teens, and children to build a solid foundation of technique and express their creative ideas. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communication and has 20 years of experience in fine arts, including numerous exhibitions in the greater Vancouver area. Through painting and teaching, Cara Bain continues to inspire and evoke a deeper connection to the world, capturing both the majesty of nature and the complexities of the human spirit.