The Local Whistler Artists You Need to Know About

There are three reasons why creative types are drawn to Whistler:

• The Landscape
• The Lifestyle
• The People

We find ourselves continually in awe of the artists and creatives who call Whistler home. Whether they work with ceramics, acrylics, or the human body, the mountains and the forests of Whistler seem to attract a certain type of person. In our humble opinion, we feel like our little mountain town must have far more artisans per capita than the norm. Many came here on a nomadic whim, and then never left.

We here at Forged appreciate the arts in our town, from the public sculptures to the small-time artisans hanging their works at the cafes and co-working spaces of the community.In honour of the arts, here are some of our favourite Whistler local artists.

Our Favourite Artists of Whistler

Chili Thom

No favourites list of Whistler artists list is complete without mentioning Chili Thom. He passed too soon but has never lost his high standing in the local community. In fact, if you know any local artists around town, its likely Chili. His work still adorns the walls, galleries, and homes across this small community.

He created fantastical, surreal landscapes representing his home: mountains dripping in snow, waves crashing into sand, and forests highlighted by sunsets. His work pulls from the soft billowing curves painted in Emily Carr’s famous works but he took it to entirely new levels.

If you are looking for a unique piece of art to take home from your trip to Whistler, a Chili Tom print will surely do the trick. If you are already on a high-end luxury stay in Whistler, why not go all out and buy an original if you can find one. His work speaks to the community on so many levels, and he continues to be missed by all.

In his own words “our experience in nature depends on how you choose to position yourself within it. My art acts not only as a form of escapism but also as a tool to deepen appreciation for the natural world in which we are all inextricably connected.”

Andrea Mueller

Andrea Mueller, an unforgettable pop of colour.

Andrea Mueller, born and raised in Toronto, Canada, made her way to Whistler to take advantage of the mountains. Years later, she has made this her home and her inspirational studio space. She is a self-described wild child, which reflects in her big, bold, colourful paintings. Seemingly messy brushstrokes of bright colours mesh together to depict animals, people and mystical combinations of the two.

When Mueller isn’t covered in paint, creating in her Whistler studio, she finds time to bring arts to the greater community. She is also an educator. She brings arts to her community through regular painting nights and workshops. Looking for a memorable bachelorette activity? Get painting with Mueller!

David McColm

https://youtu.be/BK-WDk2kgjg

A photographer based out of Whistler, David McColm was born to photograph the mountains around him. In particular, its the nighttime mountains which call his name. They draw him into their depths for long session photographing the night sky. He is well known for both his video and photo work, but really made a name for himself with time-lapse work around the visits of Whistler.

According to McColm, he spends up to 40 nights a year working through the nights, deep in the alpine, to capture the captivating and mesmerizing starry sky photos we have come to love.Without the work of McColm, we’d never know the beauty that’s hidden in the nighttime forests around Whistler. He truly captures our imagination, with his thought-provoking work in BC and beyond.

Dave “Pepe” Petko

Stunning off-skin work from a local Whistler tattoo artist

When the paper runs out, you might as well turn to the human body. Dave “Pepe” Petko  is a renowned tattoo artist, found during the day at Black Ohm Tattoos. Originally, they asked him to apprentice in 1995, but 25 years later he owns it. Today his creative impulses spill well beyond ink and skin. He often works on festival set and stage design, specifically as a core member of the  design crew for Bass Coast. Each year he plays a major part imagining fantastical stage structures for the festivities.

When Pepe originally moved to Whistler, he found time to paint and draw in between his money-making job. This passion continues, and now he’s producing incredibly iconic pieces, focusing on landscapes, moonscapes, and crystals. His work is a statement piece, in sizes suitable for any home. Often his pieces translate well between formats, from the skin to paper to wood.