About the Artist

My work is rooted in a lifelong love of the outdoors. I find endless inspiration in the mountains, rivers and forests that called me to move to Canada in 2001. My former wildfire career was challenging, meaningful work that met my sense of adventure and purpose, but unfortunately years of working in high-stress environments took its toll. My art became a way to reconnect and heal - and opened the door to something new. 

Now, painting is my full-time adventure.

I use bold colours and expressive light to create vibrant paintings of the wild places and animals of Western Canada. I strive to capture how it feels like to be out there rather than how it exactly looks like, and hope to share my sense of connection with you.

Thanks for being here. I’m so glad to share my work with you.

Artist Bio

Margriet Berkhout is a landscape artist based in British Columbia, Canada. Born and raised on a small farm in the Netherlands, she developed a deep connection to nature and a love for drawing at a young age. In 2001, she moved to Canada and built a nearly 20-year career in wildfire management in Alberta, while spending her free time hiking, climbing, backcountry skiing, and volunteering with Search and Rescue. Margriet started to paint in 2017, and it quickly became a passion. Eventually a diagnosis of burnout and PTSD forced her to leave her wildfire career and start embracing art full time. In 2024, she relocated to BC to focus on her creative practice. Her work is inspired by the rugged landscapes and wildlife of western Canada, and reflects her deep personal connection to the land.