Troy Aitken

Troy Aitken’s work in oil on canvas explores feeling, perception, and the experience of being present in a particular moment. He seeks to bring emotion to the forefront of each painting, capturing something of what he was feeling as the work took shape. Each canvas becomes a record of an encounter between Troy, his surroundings, and the passing of time.

Through the natural environment and the human form, Troy explore our existence and our relationship with the planet we inhabit. These subjects allow him to consider our place in the world and the connections between humanity and nature.

Oil paint is his preferred medium for its depth, richness, and expressive possibilities. He is drawn to its physical qualities and the sense of life it brings to the canvas. The movement of the paint, its texture, and the interplay of colour allow him to translate feeling into a visual language. His process is intuitive, guided by both observation and emotion.

The selected works offer glimpses of moments held in time. Each painting acts as a visual snapshot, preserving an atmosphere, a sensation, or an emotional response that might otherwise pass unnoticed. Together, they invite viewers to pause and reflect on the relationship between inner experience and the external world. Through these works, Troy hopes to encourage a deeper awareness of our shared existence and our connection to the natural world.

Troy Aitken is a visual artist based in Kelowna, British Columbia. His artistic practice is grounded in a formal education in fine arts and a lifelong curiosity about the expressive possibilities of visual art.

From 1988 to 1992, Aitken studied at the Alberta College of Art (now Alberta University of the Arts), graduating with a major in printmaking. During his final year, he participated in an exchange program at NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he explored film, performance art, pottery, and other creative disciplines.

Following his studies, Aitken taught in a high school commercial art program, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for artistic expression with students. He has enjoyed exhibiting his work in local restaurants and cafés, bringing art into everyday spaces and making it accessible to the community. His work is also held in private collections.

Although his education encompassed a range of artistic mediums, painting remains a central passion. Working primarily in oil on canvas, Aitken explores the relationship between the human form, the natural environment, and our place within the world. His work reflects an interest in capturing fleeting moments and translating personal observations and emotions into visual form.

Through colour, texture, and the expressive qualities of oil paint, Aitken continues to explore the connections between human experience and the world around us.