Cameron Bird

Cameron Bird’s passion for the outdoors began in childhood, exploring British Columbia’s coast, backwoods, and northern Ontario. This deep connection with nature became the foundation of his artistic career.

Starting with sketching, which he still uses as reference for his oil paintings, Cameron studied commercial art at Emily Carr College and Capilano College. He later worked as a pack horse guide in the mountains, immersing himself in the wilderness that continues to inspire his work.

A dedicated plein air painter, Cameron overcame early challenges to develop a confident style known for bold color and heavy impasto. Influenced by artists like Illingworth Kerr, Maynard Dixon, Carl Rungius, and especially Keith C. Smith—his mentor for over a decade—Cameron learned to simplify compositions and make every brushstroke count.

Though primarily a landscape and wildlife artist, Cameron believes in studying all art forms, from realism to abstraction. "Abstraction helps me simplify, while my personal experiences pull me back to reality," he says.

Painting professionally since 1989 and full-time since 1999, Cameron has exhibited widely and is represented in galleries across Canada. Recognized internationally, he continues to explore and capture the wild from his home in British Columbia.

Nationality: Canadian