Rochelle Colgan
Artist

Hi, I’m Rochelle, an Alberta based artist focused on creating realism with coloured pencils. I have been drawing since I was a child and spent many hours watching my mom (artist Wendy Risdale) work on her paintings. I loved horses and they were one of my favourite subjects to draw at the time.

Art has always been important to me, but wasn’t always my primary focus. While at university I had exposure to the art world by working in an art gallery for my first summer, but didn’t do much drawing at that time. Years later I had a painting on display at the same art gallery.

I received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and then worked in the engineering field for about 8 years. I remember putting some of my artwork into a talent show at the engineering firm and being asked by one of the partners in the company, “Why are you wasting your time with engineering?” He obviously thought I should focus on my artwork! I got my first commission from that show and had the joy of painting a coworker’s pug in 2002. 

After starting a family I chose to be a stay-at-home mom. I did various commissions and paintings throughout the years (dogs, people portraits, horses, children, and even an airplane). I had an abundance of photos and enjoyed doing paintings of my own kids.

My first paintings and commissions were done in pastels. I loved the colours and softness I could achieve but didn’t like the mess it created on my fingers, especially while having young children around. In 2013 I started using graphite, which as a mom of three, I found easier to fit into my busy life. I didn’t have trays of chalk pastels on my desk or need to wash paint off my hands every time I stopped working. Graphite drawings could be created with a single pencil and could be worked on anywhere. While I enjoyed the graphite work, I eventually missed the option of having colour in my drawings. 

I was introduced to coloured pencils in 2021 and love how it combines some of my favourite aspects of pastels and graphite into one. I am loving the process of drawing in coloured pencils!

My current inspirations include drawing animals, children (I have so so many photos of my kids), and some pretty skyscapes (I love sunrises and sunsets). I am open to other subjects as well because every new drawing is an opportunity to learn and further develop my abilities. I create work in my own collections as well as for commissions.

I believe my drawings can provide a connection to the past while encouraging love, hope, and joy for the present and future. I’d love to help you celebrate and preserve memories of your beloved family members, pets, and special moments in your life.