Jennifer Annesley
B.F.A., C.S.P.W.C., S.F.C.A.
Jennifer Annesley is a Canadian artist whose professional art career currently spans 35 years and over 118 exhibitions to date. Her paintings reside in private and public collections worldwide and receives international recognition through juried exhibitions and fine art publications.
Annesley grew up in Edmonton and attended the University of Alberta graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art and Design. Her work has been represented by many Canadian Galleries, including Virginia Christopher Fine art in Calgary (1994 - 2009) and Canada House Gallery in Banff, Ab (2008 to present) and as of 2024, White Rock Gallery in White Rock, B.C. Annesley’s paintings are included in collections such as the University of Alberta, The Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives, and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
She is an elected member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (since 2000) and most recently was elected as a Signature Member in the American Watercolor Society (AWS). She has served as a director of the CSPWC, and Committee Chair for their flagship international exhibition, Open Water/ L’Eau Claire. In 2006, she received the highest watercolour award in Canada by the CSPWC, the A.J. Casson medal. In April 2021, Jennifer received the SFCA designation from the Federation of Canadian Artists.
Annesley draws inspiration from historic architecture and remote landscapes, and travels extensively to explore the subject matter that is the foundation of her work. Her focus on rendering unusual light creates exceptional drama in her architectural interiors, landscapes and still lifes. Through her precise and unconventional use of watercolour and charcoal, she creates a sense of atmosphere, realism, and a captivating balance of elegance and power.
In 1994, Annesley established her annual solo exhibition at Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, an unparalleled one-night vernissage that is a cornerstone for her career and continues to provide momentum and exposure for her paintings.
Jennifer's work is represented by Canada House Gallery in Banff, Alberta and White Rock Gallery, in White Rock, B.C.
In Edmonton, you are welcome to visit Annesley Studio by appointment.
Recent Awards, Publications and Collections
Honourable Mention, “Gràcia, Barcelona” FCA Online Federation Showcase, April 2024
Second Prize, “Europe on Time” FCA Artist’s Choice Exhibition, February 2024
Second Prize, “Europe on Time” CSPWC Member’s Exhibition “Here and Now” February 2024
Holbein Award, “Arisen” 4th Annual Women in Watercolour Exhibition, August 2023
Second Place "47, Fifth Avenue" FCA Toronto (watercolour, 18 x 18") March 2023
Third Prize, “Age of Steam” American Watercolor Society’s Associate Member Exhibition 2022
Gold Medal, “Tree Lines” Women in Watercolour 2022
Splash 24, the Best of Watercolor Magazine, published by Northlight Books, Summer 2022
Third Prize for “Age of Steam” American Watercolor Society Associate Member’s Exhibition, June 2022
Gold Medal for “Age of Steam” FCA Chapter Challenge Exhibition, Sept. 2021
Doris McCarthy Award for “Arisen,” Beyond the Edge Member’s Exhibition, CSPWC, July 10, 2021
“Women in Watercolour” international exhibition, Second place (landscape) and honourable mention (Still Life) Aug, 2021
Best Watercolor Runner Up for “Age of Steam, 15th Annual Art Renewal Centre (ARC) Salon, January, 2021
Second Place for “Arts & Vines", FCA Works on Paper, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, B.C., Jan. 2021
Honourable Mention Award for “Morning Light”, Inaugural Exhibition of the Edmonton Chapter of Federation of Canadian Artists, September 2020
Honourable Mention Award for “Fire Island”, Federation of Canadian Artist’s Scenes from Western Canada Exhibition, September 2020
Honourable Mention Award for “Harvest II”, Federation of Canadian Artist’s Small Artworks Exhibition, August 2020
Grand Prize Winner for "Alpine Prospects" International Artist Magazine, Landscape Competition Issue #108 April 2016
Jennifer’s work has appeared multiple times in professional artists magazines including International Artist Magazine, the “Splash” and “Strokes of Genius” magazines published by Northlight books in Cincinnati, the Art of Watercolour, American Art collector. Her work has been featured on several book covers, including "Mt. Robson, Spiral Road of Art" by Jane Lytton Gooch, published by Rocky Mountain Books.
Jennifer’s work resides in over 1000 private, corporate and public collections worldwide, including the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, The University of Alberta, Francis Winspear Centre for the Arts
