About the Artist

McKenna Prather is a Strathmore-based visual artist whose vibrant, detailed paintings explore the natural world, the meaning of home, and the stories that connect us to the places we love.

Working primarily with acrylic paint, embroidery, and beadwork on canvas, McKenna creates richly layered landscapes, botanicals, and wildlife paintings inspired by the changing seasons and the two provinces she calls home: Alberta and Newfoundland. Her work combines representational painting with playful patterns, intricate textures, and elements of folk art, inviting viewers to discover the small details woven throughout each piece.

Much of McKenna's artistic practice is rooted in an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship and the resourcefulness of generations past. Inspired by the makers in her own family, particularly those skilled in quilting, needlework, and woodworking, she incorporates techniques that celebrate patience, care, and the beauty of handmade objects. From meticulously painted canvas edges to embroidery stitched directly into finished paintings, these details bridge the worlds of painting and textile art, creating work that feels both contemporary and nostalgic.

McKenna graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alberta University of the Arts in 2018 and has worked as a full-time professional artist ever since. She is represented by Gibson Fine Art in Calgary and Gust Gallery in Waterton and was selected as the Homes by Avi Calgary Stampede Rotary Dream Home Artist in both 2019, 2023 and 2026. Her paintings have been exhibited and sold through galleries, local businesses, and events, including the Calgary Stampede, and are held in private collections across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

In addition to creating original collections, McKenna works on custom commissions, live event paintings, and murals, bringing her distinctive approach to a variety of subjects, spaces, and creative projects.

At the heart of her work is a desire to celebrate the familiar, find beauty in the everyday, and honour the people, places, and traditions that shape our sense of belonging.

For artwork inquiries, commissions, or collaborations, please get in touch.