The pursuit of painting Canada's captivating lands, waters and skies has been a consuming affair for much of Cory's life. Throughout his career, Cory has expressed his artistic vision by painting some aspect of the outdoors. During extended excursions into the wilderness, Cory takes his canvases, panels, brushes and oils with him into the field. This interaction with nature brings him closer to his subject as he seeks out his own perspectives. His resulting art is infused with a life of its own, blending experiences and passion into compelling images that draw the viewer closer to our natural heritage.

Art Background
Graduated in 1990 from Sheridan College, and began immediately freelancing as a commercial illustrator, creating paintings for numerous government agencies, magazines, advertising agencies and private companies. Some of his clients/projects over these years included:

1990-2000: The National Capital Commission in Ottawa (series of illustrations including Winterlude Festival posters), Campbell's, IBM, Ontario Out of Doors magazine, Outdoor Canada magazine, Outdoor Life magazine, and more.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: 3 major commissions for paintings for the production of promotional/educational posters:
1999: "Cold Comfort". An above/below water painting of our cold water streams and their inhabitants.
2000: "The Living Coast". A painting for the 2000 designation of "The Great Lakes Heritage Coast" (coasts of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay.
2003: "Oak Ridges Moraine". A painting depicting the beauty and variety of landscape of the Oak Ridges Moraine from Caledon to past Peterborough.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
2003: "The Humber". A painting for the production of promotional/educational poster about the Humber River near the Old Mill Bridge in Toronto.

Throughout these years, Cory pursued his passion for his own painting in between commercial commissions. In 2001 this led to him pursuing his own major art endeavour, the “COAST To CANVAS Project”. This project saw the artist and his family spend almost a month in each season exploring the coasts of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay. During these treks, the Trepaniers paddled, camped and filmed while Cory painted. The result was a touring exhibition in 2004 consisting of over 30 oil paintings and a 40-minute documentary that shared their experiences and the creative process.

Exhibition/Unveilings Highlights:
2000: McMichael Canadian Art Collection group show (invited by curators of show).
2000: Bush Plane Museum in Sault St. Marie. Unveiling of "The 2000: McMichael Canadian Art Collection group show (invited by curators of show).
2003: McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Unveiling of "The Humber" original oil painting.
2004: Dufferin County Museum. The COAST To CANVAS Exhibition Tour, 5-week solo exhibition.
2004: Old Fort William, Thunder Bay. The COAST To CANVAS Exhibition Tour, 5-week solo exhibition.
2004: The Art Gallery of Algoma. The COAST To CANVAS Exhibition Tour, 4-week solo exhibition.

Speaking Engagements:
2004: Trailhead Show in Ottawa
2005: The McMIchael Canadian Art Collection. Multi-media talk on his life as "An Artist in the Wilderness"|

Media Highlights:
Television appearances(view below):
2000: Plugged-In
2000: Bob Izumi’s Real Fishing
2001: Cottage Life Television
2002: CBC Newsworld/ Country Canada Channel
2004: LTV News (Sault St. Marie web newscast)

Radio Interviews:
2002: CBC Radio ONE" Summer North” w/ Dan Lessard)
2002: AM800 CKLW Windsor (“Live & Local” w/Mike Kakuk)
2004: CBC Radio Canada (French “Estiva” w/Lydianne Ouimet)
2004: CBC Radio (Susan Wade)
2007: CBC Radio Interview(Iqaluit)

Articles about Cory and his work:
1999: The Enterprise (newspaper)
2001: The Caledon Enterprise (newspaper)
2002: Ontario Parks (internet)
2002: The Sault Star (newspaper)
2003: In The Hills (magazine)
2004: Thunder Bay Source (newspaper)
2004: Adventure Kayak (magazine)
2004: Family Camping (magazine)
2005: Caledon Living (magazine)

Film Production
2004: "A Painter's Odyssey" developed by Cory for COAST To CANVAS Exhibition Tour
2005: "A Painter's Odyssey" wins at Waterwalker Film Festival (goes on tour to over 20 places in Canada and US)
2006: "A Painter's Odyssey" airs in March on Bravo! television
2007: "Into The Arctic: An Artist's Journey to the North", 1 hour documentary about Cory's 2.5 month journey to the western Canadian Arctic with his family in 2006. Television premier on Bravo! televison in July 22, 2007.

 Whether in the rolling hills behind his studio, or further afield in some of our nations' parks and other marvelous locations, the variety that can be found in this vast creation is a continual source of inspiration. Surrounded by the outdoors in the hills of Caledon East, Ontario, Cory lives with his wife Janet, and two young daughters, Andie and Sydney.

"Why do I paint? The exact reason can be difficult to explain. All I know is that when I stand before a river, a valley, a lake or some other grand creation, and the light strikes a certain way, I am compelled to put some oils on a brush and try and capture the scene before me. Floating in a canoe with nature surrounding me or an encounter with a whitetail deer on an early morning walk can inspire me to work on a canvas for days, weeks or even months. Even the way an old red jacket sits on a woodpile can make me reach for my paint box.
Invariably, it seems that most of what atttracts me to express myself visually is somehow related to the outdoors. The varied richness of colours, textures, lighting, sounds and smells that can be experienced while spending time out there all culminate my desire to paint. Perhaps too, it's the closeness I feel with the Lord when immersed in His handiwork.
Whatever the reasons, I count it a privilege to chase after this desire, made all the more enjoyable, and possible, because of my wife Janet, who encourages and helps me to strive for excellence. As well, our two daughters, Andie and Sydney, who make me smile. May I be so blessed as to spend the rest of my life painting."
Cory Trepanier
A few more examples of Cory's past commercial illustrations (click too see large).