We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Canadian artist Fran Alexander—a painter whose vibrant use of colour and expressive mark-making bring the natural world to life with energy and emotion.

Guided by her love of nature and storytelling, Fran’s work often blurs the line between representation and abstraction, layering bold hues and gestural brushstrokes to capture both the spirit and the atmosphere of her subjects. Whether it’s wildlife, water, or the vast Canadian landscape, her paintings radiate a sense of wonder and connection.

In this reflective conversation, Fran shares how her time at Mont Tremblant deepened her connection to the environment, the surprising stories she found in stillness, and how her ever-evolving palette continues to balance vibrancy with quiet nuance.

You just brought your work to Tremblant, how does showing in a place with such a distinct character affect the way you see your own art?

Showing my work in Tremblant really gave me a new way of looking at it. Being in such a naturally beautiful and unique place made me realize how connected my art is to the environment—it’s not just inspired by nature, it’s shaped by it too. The textures, colors, and energy around me brought out emotional layers in the pieces that I hadn’t fully noticed before. It also reminded me that art doesn’t exist on its own—the setting becomes part of the experience and adds its own voice to the story the work is telling.

You often explore themes of nature and storytelling in your pieces. What was the most surprising story Tremblant told you while you were there?

Tremblant is a world-class holiday destination, abundant in nature’s gifts—but what surprised me most wasn’t the grandeur of the slopes or the buzz of the village. It was the quiet story told by the still ponds tucked between the hills. I was transfixed by their calmness—lily pads floating like thoughts at rest, clear water reflecting a sky untouched by time. In a place known for activity and motion, it was the stillness that spoke the loudest to me. 

Your colours always feel like they’ve been handpicked by Mother Nature on one of her bold days. Do you ever tone it down for the sake of subtlety, or is “more” always more?

Haha, I love that! I enjoy going all out with my colors—like using every crayon in the box! Why limit myself to a small palette when I want to fully express the emotions of animals? Animals have emotions too, and I want my paintings to radiate that, using color as a way to show their state of being and invite viewers to wonder what might have made them feel that way.

That said, while I definitely enjoy bold, vibrant colors because they bring so much energy and life to my work, I also know when to pull back and let things breathe. Sometimes subtlety can be just as powerful, creating space for a deeper connection. So, it’s not always “more” for me—it’s really about what each piece needs in the moment. Finding that balance is key.

If Tremblant was one of your paintings, what title would you give it?

"Whispers of Laurentian Light"
This title reflects the quiet majesty of Mt. Tremblant—its rolling hills, shimmering ponds, and alpine air. A place where people from around the world come to ski, hike, and breathe in the beauty of Quebec’s winter playground.

What’s one thing you learned about yourself as an artist from this recent trip?

One thing that really stood out to me on my recent trip to Mt. Tremblant was how much nature fuels my creativity. Being surrounded by the mountains, forests, and shifting light helped me see how much I’m inspired by calm, natural spaces.—that I might usually miss. It reminded me that stepping away from my usual routine and into new places helps refresh my perspective and bring more depth to my work.