About the Artist

Randall Shier, Canadian Painter

Born in Vancouver, Shier’s early fascination for drawing and painting sparked a lifelong passion. At just seven years old, he found himself sketching house plans at the kitchen table envisioning a future in architecture. When he was eight, one of Shier’s paintings was selected by a Federation of Canadian Artist’s jury for exhibition in the Vancouver Art Gallery. 

A pivotal moment came during a family trip to New York City, where Shier was captivated by historical and modern skyscrapers. This passion led him to pursue a degree in architecture at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he studied the art of the built environment.

Returning to Vancouver after graduation, Shier brought with him a profound understanding of how art and architecture intertwine with people and place. His travels throughout Europe, where he sketched and painted landscapes and townscapes in watercolor, further enriched his artistic perspective.

Shier moved to the Okanagan in 2004 and immediately connected with the picturesque landscape of orchards, vineyards, lakes, and mountains. This move helped spark a renaissance in his artistic endeavors, prompting him to pick up his brushes after a twenty-year hiatus. Experimenting with new mediums such as acrylic and oil, Shier honed his craft through exploration and study, including professional workshops and explorative art classes in Italy.

Today, Randall Shier is a member of the FCA Central Okanagan chapter. When faced with a blank canvas, he believes in the ability of line, shape, color, and texture to convey the essence of his subjects. Whether capturing the timeless beauty of nature or finding inspiration in the built environment, Shier’s art invites viewers to glimpse beyond the temporal and see beauty in the commonplace.