Artist & Illustrator
Crystal Driedger is an artist and illustrator with a passion for exploring the natural world. She graduated from the Design program from MacEwan University, specializing in Illustration, and has spent the past 20 years immersed in the fine art and illustration world. Crystal's work celebrates the diversity and richness of plants and animals in both wild and urban environments. Her art is a beautiful testament to the intricacies of nature, capturing the unique textures, colours, and personalities of everything from cows to heirloom vegetables.
Working primarily with coloured pencils and oil paints, Crystal brings her subjects to life with exquisite detail and a keen eye for capturing the essence of each creature or plant. Her dedication and curiosity toward her subjects inspire viewers to appreciate the beauty surrounding us and recognize the many small details that make each one special. Sometimes she depicts her art pieces in a realistic, still-life setting while others are recreations of scenes and creatures taken from her own reference photos with a painterly twist.
Through her art, Crystal reminds us of the value and importance of the natural world and encourages us to take notice of the beauty that exists in even the smallest of creatures and plants. Her work is a testament to the power of art to inspire, engage, and connect us to the world around us. Her work has been exhibited and sold internationally; her illustrations are on products worldwide. She is a scientific and botanical illustrator and a nationally recognized painter as well.
Crystal is a sessional instructor at MacEwan University (currently in the summer and fall term only) and teaches Illustration to the Design & Studio Arts students. She is also a master mentor at Mastrius, an online small-group teaching platform, and teaches community art workshops in the winter/spring. She loves to share her knowledge and passion with her students, hoping to inspire and encourage a lifelong relationship with the visual arts.
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Crystals studio is in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada where she works full-time as an artist and illustrator. She is a mother of two boys (a self-professed “Tweenager” and a Teenager). When she isn’t illustrating or walking her dog, she’s often puttering in her garden. Crystal grew up on a farm in Alder Flats, Alberta, Canada, where she spent many of her waking hours exploring the forests and ponds surrounding her home. This childhood gave her a fascination and respect of all creatures and plants - be that a wild neighbor or known friend (be that cow or peony). While she now lives in an urban environment, she still wanders in forests and spends time examining the wild insects that meander into her yard.
Client List (selection)
Fort Edmonton Foundation • Antisana Seeds • Telus World of Science • Royal Alberta Museum • Edmonton Valley Zoo • Zebra Child Protection Agency • Alberta Injury Prevention Centre • Chickadee Magazine • The Leanin' Tree • Tony Potter • Ravensburger Puzzles • Alberta Education • Parcom Marketing • Odvod Publications • Alberta Learning • Blue Turtle Greetings • Costco • Barnes & Noble • Dollar Tree • QVC Home Shopping Network • Palmaris Puzzles • Signatures Shows •
Exhibitions 2023
26th International Botanical Exhibition for the American Society of Botanical Artists
Marin Art and Garden Center, Ross, CA, USA
Salon Series, 501 Gallery,
Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Spring Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Edmonton Chapter
NOA gallery, Edmonton AB, Canada
Exhibitions 2022
25th International Botanical Exhibition for the American Society of Botanical Artists
Wave Hill, New York, NY, USA
Federation of Canadian Artists - “Western Landscapes”,
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists Edmonton Chapter Sweet Beginnings
Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Exhibitions 2021
Federation of Canadian Artists Edmonton Chapter - “FCA Edmonton Spring Show”, Online
Exhibitions 2020
Federation of Canadian Artists - “Bloom”, Online
Federation of Canadian Artists - “Animalis”, Online
Federation of Canadian Artists - “2020-365 Online Exhibition and Calendar Project”, Online
Federation of Canadian Artists - “Landscapes”
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists Edmonton Chapter - “FCA Edmonton Fall Show”, Online
Exhibitions 2019
Salon Series,
501 Gallery, Sherwood Park, AB
Whyte Ave, Edmonton AB
Exhibitions 2018
Solo Show
Cafe Blackbird, Sept 2018
Artwalk, annual
Whyte Ave, Edmonton AB
Exhibitions 2017
Artwalk, annual
Whyte Ave, Edmonton AB
Salon Series,
501 Gallery, Sherwood Park, AB
Exhibitions 2016
Quiet Moments - Solo Show,
April, Milner Gallery, EPL Edmonton, AB
ArtWalk annual
July 9-11 - Whyte Ave, Edmonton AB
Pourtraits
October - Spark Gallery, Sherwood Park, AB
Wild About Animals
November- Spark Gallery, Sherwood Park, AB
Exhibitions 2015
ArtWalk annual
July 10-12 - Whyte Ave, Edmonton AB
Salon Series Show
May 15 - June 22: Gallery 501, Sherwood Park, AB
Exhibitions 2014
ArtWalk annual
Whyte Ave, Edmonton
Salon Series
501 Gallery, June 2014 Sherwood Park
Exhibitions 2012
Sweet Ladies Mixed Media Dessert Show (group show)
Callies Tea, April 2012 Edmonton
Doctors & Derrieres 7th Annual
Nude life drawings of local medical students, charity auction.
Enterprise Square, Edmonton
Exhibitions 2011
Growing up (group show)
Art Gallery of Alberta's TREX exhibition 2011 - 2012
Doctors & Derrieres 6th Annual
Nude life drawings of local medical students, charity auction.
Enterprise Square, Edmonton
Exhibitions 2010
A Creative Cause
Fundraiser/charity auction and art show
Alberta Art Gallery, Oct 7, 2010
Kaleido Arts Festival (group show)
118th ave in the Old Cycle Building, Sept 2010
Doctors & Derrieres 5th Annual
Nude life drawings of local medical students, charity auction.
Enterprise Square, Edmonton
Exhibitions 2009
Growing Up (group show)
McMullen Gallery, Edmonton
True Stories (group show)
MacEwan Design Faculty Show, MacEwan, Edmonton
Doctors & Derrieres 4th Annual
Nude life drawings of local medical students, charity auction.
Enterprise Square, Edmonton
Exhibitions 2008
Paws & Claws Gala and Art Show
charity auction, Mayfield Inn, Edmonton
Exhibitions 2007
Doctors & Derrieres 2nd Annual
Nude life drawings of local medical students, charity auction
Red Strap Market, Edmonton
ArtWalk 12 annual
Whyte Ave, Edmonton
Edmonton Fashion Week: Bissell Centre Fundraiser
City Hall, Edmonton
Publications & Interviews
Mosaic Magazine 2008, 2009
Creatures AllJune/July 2008
Edmonton Journal: Leap into a childs dream 2009
Avenue Magazine October 2007
Mosaic Magazine Winter 2007