Hilary Farmer
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hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Hilary Farmer
@hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
180 followers 72 following 170 posts
Artist and tai chi teacher (formerly in architecture), Canadian, Gulf Islander - gratefully living in traditional Snuneymuxw territory, pro-democracy, pro-diversity, elbows-up!
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hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
“Poised” ink and oil on 5”diameter tondo! A little red squirrel to cheer you up. 🙂
#blueskyart #oilpainting #inkandoil #redsquirel #canadianartist #animalpainting
Round painting in ink and oil of a red squirrel ready to lead off a mossy stump.
December 2, 2025 at 3:56 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
New painting! “Sunflower Path” (12”x24” ink and oil on raised panel)
The local community gardens are so inspiring right now!
#oilpainting #gskyart #gsky #sunflowers #sunflowerpainting
Ink and oil painting of tangled garden with sunflowers.
September 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
New mini round (5” diameter) Thinking of calling it “Bloomin’ Delightful“!
#oilpainting #blueskyart #hummingbirdpainting #hummingbirdandflowers #annashummingbird #crocosmia #gsky
Round ink and oil painting with and Anna’s hummingbird perched on Crocosmia.
September 5, 2025 at 12:04 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Upcoming joint open studio with Elsa Bluethner! If you’re in the area, we’d love to see you this Saturday, 30th of August between 11 and 3pm!
#oilpainting #localartist #gsky #gabriola #isleofthearts
August 29, 2025 at 2:06 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Delighted to have a selection of my work up at Nova Gallery, Gabriola! Check it out if you’re in the area. 🙂
Photo of a wall with 8 pieces of my art of various sizes and subjects inspired by the local landscape, oceans and wildlife.
July 30, 2025 at 12:51 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Three new mini paintings (4”x4“) with bees (and one hoverfly/bee look-alike)
#oilpainting #blueskyartists #bumblebees #beesandflowers #pollinators
Ink and oil painting- Bumblebee on French lavender Ink and oil painting- hoverfly on feverfew Ink and oil painting- bumblebee on California lilac
June 19, 2025 at 2:44 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
I bought some old-fashioned red roses at the market last weekend …so of course I had to paint them!
(“Red Roses” 9”x12” ink and oil on raised panel)
#blueskyartists #oilpainting #redroses #inkandoil #floralpainting
Ink and oil painting of red roses in a glass vase against a forest background.
June 13, 2025 at 8:35 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
“There was a Time, Olebar Point” (8”x10” oil on raised panel).
I was out painting yesterday. What a gorgeous morning and how fortunate I feel to be able to live here and do this.
After a few tweaks in the studio here it is.
#blueskyartists #oilpainting #pleinairpainting #localbeauty #nostalgia
An oil painting painted plein air showing a spring landscape. Aquant old shed and sign are almost hidden by shrubs and flowers. A road curves around showing a peeking view of the ocean and Vancouver Island beyond.
April 19, 2025 at 10:34 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
A cheery floral painting to brighten your day. “Market Daffodils” (8”x8” oil on raised panel)
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #floral #daffodils #spring
Oil pain of a bunch of daffodils in a glass pitcher sitting on a colourful cloth in front of an abstract background.
April 8, 2025 at 10:18 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Delighted that my painting “Descano Bay Path” has been juried in to the Federation of Canadian Artists “Landscapes” show. You’ll be able to see it in their Granville Island Gallery from May 12 to June 1st, 2025.
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #inkandoil #canadianartist #gabriola #gsky
Ink and oil painting of a coastal B.C. scene. A path winds down a hill covered in glowing moss and ferns. Arbutus trees lean towards the light as if towards a better future.
April 7, 2025 at 3:09 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Just finished 4 new 4”x4” minis - birds for our times. “Anna’s Alert”, “Defiant Towhee”, ”Ready Wren”, and “Watchful Nuthatch”
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #inkandoil #minipaintings #canadianartist
Ink and oil painting of Anna’s hummingbird looking fiercely at the viewer with a woodsy backdrop. An oil painting of a Pacific Wren perched on a twig and looking ready for anything. Oil painting of a spotted towhee perched on a mossy rock in the woods. He has a defiant glint in his eye! Oil painting of a nuthatch walking down a tree truck looking focused and watchful.
April 6, 2025 at 2:22 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
“Spring Day at Olebar Point” (8”x10” oil on raised panel)
I was out painting plein air with a friend yesterday. Lovely afternoon! Here it is after some studio tweaks.
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #pleinairpainting #gsky #canadianartist
Oil painting of the ocean shore with rocks and some washed up logs. In the foreground, a bunch of daffodils bloom with wind blown trees beyond. Past that is Entrance Island with hints of the lighthouse buildings and the mainland in the distance.
April 6, 2025 at 12:34 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
I was out on Monday plein air painting. March was a wet month so I didn’t get out much and …got rained on anyway! Nevertheless, it was a lovely spring day to spend painting outside.
I’m calling this “Early Blossoms, Berry Point” (8”x10” oil on raised panel)
#blueskyartist #gsky #oilpainting
Oil painting of a country laneway with blooming fruit trees and a moss-roofed fruit stand. Beyond is a stand of fir trees and a blue sky with wispy clouds.
April 3, 2025 at 2:29 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
For locals! My Tai Chi Foundations class will start up in May. Please let me know if you’re interested! Info on attached poster.
#Gabriola #gsky #taichiclassesonGabe
Tai Chi poster with information about classes including start date 12 May, 2025 at the Commons on Gabriola Island.
April 1, 2025 at 8:35 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
More like the outside? I’ll attach an angle view of another painting. (This is a standard item in art supply shops)
March 30, 2025 at 4:22 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Another heron painting! “Keeping Watch” (12”x16” oil on raised panel)
I really pushed the saturation of the colour palette with this one. There’s a contrast between the vigilance of the heron and the almost hyper-idealized landscape.
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #heronpainting #canadianartist #gsky
Oil painting of a heron standing on the shore looking out towards the ocean. The colour palette is pushed to hyper saturated.
March 30, 2025 at 12:24 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Another heron painting! This one is called “Going Home” (9”x12” oil on raised panel) Inspired by local herons and landscape.
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #heronpainting #canadianartist #gsky
Oil painting of a great blue heron flying from shore heading off to roost with a sunset-golden sky and ocean.
March 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
MAY’d on the ROCK May 17-18
#21 - Gabriola Plein Air Painters
Hilary Farmer draws on her many artistic skills and mediums. She has an uncanny ability to capture the natural environment with empathy. Hilary will be painting at a location on Gabriola Island. Check out the map and you'll find them!
Photograph of Hilary Farmer painting en plein air at an outdoor event on Gabriola Island in early spring.
March 21, 2025 at 11:01 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Inspired by recent sightings of great blue herons. They always look like prehistoric creatures to me - especially when flying. I call this one “Survivor” (9”x12” oil on raised panel)
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #britishcolumbia #canadianartist #gsky
Oil painting of a great blue heron in flight against a glowing yellow ocean and sky.
March 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Recently sold to a lovely local. “Onward!”
(8”x10” ink and oil on raised birch panel)
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #inkandoil #locallandscape #gabriola #gsky
March 12, 2025 at 1:26 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Plein air sketch from yesterday. “Degnen Bay” (8”x10” oil on raised panel)
Getting outside in the glorious sunshine and fresh air was grounding and frankly critical to my mental health these days.
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #pleinairpainting #britishcolumbia #gabriola #gsky
Oil painting sketch showing bay surrounded by treed banks with sailboats at harbour. Piles of sunlit clouds in the background.
March 7, 2025 at 2:54 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Seems appropriate to share my ”Sunflowers at the Commons” today. (11”x14” oil on raised panel)
This one has been juried into the Bloom Show, Federation of Canadian Artists which opens March 4th.

I stand with Ukraine.

#blueskyartist #oilpainting #sunflowersforukraine #federationofcanadianartists
Oil painting - a tall bending sunflower leans over bright smaller sunflowers glowing in the late fall sun, all against a dark background of fir trees and a luminous grey sky.
March 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
“Last Autumn” (11”x14” oil on aluminum panel)
A new substrate for me so an experiment that came out looking a bit different from my usual style.
Based (very loosely) on a photo I took in early November.
#blueskyartist #britishcolumbiaartist #canadianartist #autumnvibe #autumnglow #gabriola #gsky
February 21, 2025 at 12:53 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
My piece for 20/20 the Art Show: “Morning Song” (12”x12” oil on canvas)
Show opens at 6-8pm this Friday, Feb 18 at the GAC hall. Also open Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 11-3.
Come early to get your favourite pieces!
See link goes live on Friday at 6pm
gwenspinks.com/2020-show/
#blueskyartist #gsky
Oil painting with a Pacific wren singing towards the light while perched on a branch in a leafy forest.
February 19, 2025 at 3:10 AM
hilaryfarmer.bsky.social
Plein air painting again on Friday - we’ve been getting some rain since, so that’s likely then end of snow scenes for now! I wasn’t happy with it - scraped it and repainted it in the studio.
“Descano Bay Winter” 8”x10” oil on raised panel
#blueskyartist #oilpainting #canadianartist #gabriola #gsky
Oil painting - scene by the ocean with the sun starting to set through the trees. In the distance Vancouver Island and a blue sky with some clouds. The light catches on the moss and snow lighting up the scene. Plein air painting in progress showing my palette setup by the ocean with the sun gleaming on the water and Vancouver Island in the distance. Note that VI looks much further away to the camera than to the eye as per the painting.
February 16, 2025 at 8:44 PM