Jolene AARBO

Artist Statement

My work is based on observation of the natural world, with a focus on light and bold color, Working primarily in pastels, I am drawn to West Coast landscapes and animal subjects for their strong sense of place, structure, and visual rhythm.

I am particularly interested in how light shapes color—from bright coastal skies to reflective water and sunlit landforms. I enjoy working with bold, confident color choices and using contrast in tone to create depth, atmosphere, and movement within each piece. Rather than

relying on fine detail, I focus on simplified shapes and layered color to emphasize clarity and impact.

In addition to landscapes, I create animal and pet portraits that aim to capture character through posture, expression, and light. Each subject is approached with careful attention to tone and color relationships, allowing the personality of the animal to emerge naturally within the composition.

Pastel is central to my process due to its immediacy and versatility. The medium allows for strong color saturation while maintaining softness and luminosity, making it ideal for emphasizing light and atmosphere. Through my work, I strive to create paintings that feel balanced, visually engaging, and grounded in both observation and technique.

Biography 

Jolene Aarbo is a Parksville, BC–based artist working in pastel, acrylic, and oil. Her bold, impressionistic style emphasizes color, light, and movement, drawing inspiration from the landscapes and wildlife of Vancouver Island.

With a background in design and visual communication, Jolene brings a strong sense of composition and structure to her paintings. After earning a Degree in Design from the Alberta College of Art, she spent many years working as a Production Manager and Art Director before returning to fine art full-time.

Her work includes West Coast landscapes, animal subjects, and commissioned pet portraits. Known for her confident use of color and light, Jolene’s paintings aim to create visually engaging pieces that reflect both place and character.

Jolene’s work is held in private collections, and also a resident artist at the Old School House in Qualicum, and she continues to exhibit her paintings while working from her studio in Parksville, BC.