About
Laurie Koss is an award-winning Canadian contemporary artist based in Kelowna, British Columbia. A Signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Laurie is known for her large-scale floral paintings that explore light, movement, and the quiet beauty of nature.
Her paintings have been widely collected and recognized across Canada and internationally, including being featured on Canada Post's 2015 Flower Series stamps and on a $20 collector coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Laurie developed an early appreciation for art from her mother, artist Mary Eagle. She trained in graphic design and photography at Capilano University before continuing her education at the University of British Columbia, where she completed studies in Fine Arts and Art Education and was awarded the Brissenden Scholarship upon graduation.
Laurie's fascination with colour theory and macro photography continues to influence her painting practice. Drawing on a strong foundation in the elements and principles of design, and with careful attention to light and form, she creates luminous studies of flowers that invite viewers to pause and look more closely.
Following her 2017 solo exhibition Pansy, Laurie began releasing limited-edition pansy prints every spring or two, with all proceeds supporting charitable causes.
In addition to her studio practice, Laurie shares insights from her creative life through her writing — including her recently published book Lessons Learned: From the Short Stories of My Life — and through her YouTube series Responding to Art, where she encourages viewers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of art.
Studio Practice
Laurie's work begins with macro photography, allowing her to study the intricate structures and movement found within a flower. In the studio, these close observations inform her large-scale acrylic paintings, where subtle shifts in colour, light, value, and form are carefully explored.
Guided by a deep interest in colour theory and the elements and principles of design, Laurie enlarges small sections of flowers onto expansive canvases, creating compositions that invite viewers to pause and look more closely at its beauty and complexity.
Education
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Art Education (Secondary) — Brissenden Scholarship
Graphic Design & Photography
Selected Achievements
Federation of Canadian Artists, awarded Signature Membership
Canada Post Flower Series, commissioned artist — two stamps
Royal Canadian Mint, commissioned artist — $20 collector coin
Awards & Honours
12th Annual Oasis Exhibition, First Place Award
Kelowna Civic Award, Honour in the Arts Finalist
Canvas Unbound: FCA Group Show, Honourable Mention
Okanagan Arts Council, Excellence in the Visual Arts Award
4th Annual Oasis Exhibition, Gold Medal
Foliage and Flowers: FCA Group Show, Third Place Award
Kelowna Civic Award, Honour in the Arts Finalist
Exhibitions
12th Annual Oasis Exhibition — Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC
Laurie Koss: A Retrospective — Lakeside Art Gallery, Kelowna, BC
Laurie Koss: Solo Show — Tutt Street Art Gallery, Kelowna, BC
With Love: A Three Artist Show — Tutt Street Art Gallery, Kelowna, BC
58th Annual Winter Art Show — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
57th Annual Winter Art Show — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
56th Annual Winter Art Show — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Pansy: Solo Exhibition — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Canvas Unbound — Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
3rd Annual Oasis Exhibition — Peachland Gallery, Peachland, BC
Foliage and Flowers — Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Okanagan Summer Show — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Christmas Show — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Doing it in Style — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Xhibit365 — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Celebrating Summer: A Floral Exhibition — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Seasons: A Three Artist Show — Rendezvous Gallery, Vancouver, BC
All I Ever Wanted was a Painting — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Best of the Season — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Celebrate a Canadian Classic — Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna, BC
Small Gems — Rendezvous Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Square Meals & Square Deals — Rendezvous Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Spring — The Barn Gallery, Kelowna, BC
Creative Projects
A series encouraging viewers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of art
Travel Stamp Company, Canadian National Park stamp series, artist
Publications, Press & Media
Art New York Magazine, cover and feature
The Chris Voss Show, podcast interview
OV103.9, Talk with Toby, radio interview
The Advisor with Stacey Chillemi, podcast interview
The Numismatist, "Silence is Golden", feature
Spark Success Magazine, "Are We Born Creative?", authored by Laurie Koss
UK House and Garden Magazine, "The Art Edit", feature
Boulevard Magazine, "Inspired People", feature
Arabella Magazine, "Love of Flowers", feature
Kelowna Daily Courier, front page and feature
Kelowna Capital News, front page and interview
Kelowna Now, "In Focus", feature
Canadian Stamp News, interview
Global Television News, three interviews: January, March, May
CBC Radio, Daybreak South Morning Show, interview
Speaking Engagements
Society for Learning in Retirement, Kelowna, BC, keynote speaker
Paint Your Essence Conference, Manteo Resort, Kelowna, BC, keynote speaker
Hand of the Engraver, Okanagan Heritage Museum, Kelowna, BC, speaker
Federation of Canadian Artists, Featured Artist, Kelowna, BC, keynote speaker
Interested in Laurie's Work?
Browse the full collection or reach out about commissions and available paintings.
Join My Studio Newsletter
Be the first to know about my new paintings, upcoming exhibitions, and
behind-the-scenes glimpses into my creative process.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.