Art in the Wilderness
Art is an Expression of the Human Experience - Cheryl-Ann Hills
Create en Plein Air with Cheryl-Ann Hills at the Hamilton Conservation Authority
New Workshops posted Monthly all held outdoors at various Hamilton Conservation Areas.
Start Your Next Adventure Outdoors Join us for Painting en Plein Air!
Artists have been practicing the art of painting and drawing outdoors since the time of Monet. He was a pioneering impressionist who influenced art styles and practices by painting outdoors en plein air. His goal was to capture those precious fleeting moments of light and interpret the effects of natural light on the natural environment.
I like to call it part sport part art. The main reason is that you often require specialized equipment that helps you to effectively manage the challenges of being outdoors in ever-changing weather.
In this decade, that challenge is growing as our weather patterns have become more unpredictable. But don't fret!! I have lots of tips and ideas to help my students experience the best of plein air art making in todays challenging environment.
I do not restrict my students to using only paints to make art. In the new tradition, art making outdoors can be any materials you are willing and able to bring with you to the trail or park or urban setting.
You can also follow me on Instagram or subscribe to the semi monthly newsletter.
I look forward to seeing you outdoors this year creating beautiful art with me!
June Plein Air Classes
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 9am to noon
What you'll Experience:
A short 5-10 min hike to our painting location.
3 hours of connecting with nature through art making, meeting new friends and one to one instruction.
Your instructor will present a very brief demonstration at the beginning of the class.
Beginners encouraged and welcomed!!
What you'll see:
Tiffany Falls is struggling with overuse and loss of habitat. Therefore, groups larger than 4 will remain nearby the parking area to view the beautiful creek featuring rock walls and forests and rapids. Smaller groups will venture further onto the trail towards the falls to discover bridges, moss covered rocks and the falls.
Ample parking and on-site washrooms.
Admission fee to the conservation area is required or get your HCA yearly pass for easy access.
Good to Know:
Participants can use any medium, including but not limited to: drawing tools, acrylic paints, watercolour paints, oil paints, pastels, collage. Extra care needs to be taken to ensure art materials are not accidentally spilled therefore containers with tight fitting lids are REQUIRED. All students will practice “leave no trace” to protect and respect these beautiful conservation areas. A full recommended materials list will be sent upon registration.
Tiffany Falls Location: 900 Wilson St E, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K5
Date: Sunday June 14, 2026
Time: 9am to noon
What you'll Experience:
A short 5-10 min hike to our painting location.
3 hours of connecting with nature through art making, meeting new friends and one to one instruction.
Your instructor will present a very brief demonstration at the beginning of the class.
Beginners encouraged and welcomed!!
What you'll see:
Easy access to Webster Falls from the parking area. We will setup either opposite the falls - depending upon group size - or behind the falls to experience the escarpment wall, stone bridge and the waterfall crest. Access below the falls is forbidden by HCA to protect sensitive wildlife habitat.
Ample parking and on-site washrooms.
Admission fee to the conservation area is required or get your HCA yearly pass for easy access.
Good to Know:
Participants can use any medium, including but not limited to: drawing tools, acrylic paints, watercolour paints, oil paints, pastels, collage. Extra care needs to be taken to ensure art materials are not accidentally spilled therefore containers with tight fitting lids are REQUIRED. All students will practice “leave no trace” to protect and respect these beautiful conservation areas. A full recommended materials list will be sent upon registration.
Websters Falls Conservation Location: 28 Fallsview Road, Dundas, ON L9H 5J7
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 9am to noon
What you'll Experience:
A short 10-15 min hike to our painting location.
3 hours of connecting with nature through art making, meeting new friends and one to one instruction.
Your instructor will present a very brief demonstration at the beginning of the class.
Beginners encouraged and welcomed!!
What you'll see:
Beautiful woodland trails with a creek running through it an views of the valley below.
Ample parking and on-site washrooms.
Admission fee to the conservation area is required or get your HCA yearly pass for easy access.
Good to Know:
Participants can use any medium, including but not limited to: drawing tools, acrylic paints, watercolour paints, oil paints, pastels, collage. Extra care needs to be taken to ensure art materials are not accidentally spilled therefore containers with tight fitting lids are REQUIRED. All students will practice “leave no trace” to protect and respect these beautiful conservation areas. A full recommended materials list will be sent upon registration.
Hermitage Gatehouse Location: 621 Sulphur Springs Rd, Hamilton, ON L9G 1L8
Date: Friday June 26, 2026
Time: 9am to noon
What you'll Experience:
A short 10-15 min hike to our painting location.
3 hours of connecting with nature through art making, meeting new friends and one to one instruction.
Your instructor will present a very brief demonstration at the beginning of the class.
Beginners encouraged and welcomed!!
What you'll see:
HCA's newest wetlands featuring wildlife, ponds, trails and more! A truly immersive experience!
Ample parking and on-site washrooms.
Admission fee to the conservation area is required or get your HCA yearly pass for easy access.
Good to Know:
Participants can use any medium, including but not limited to: drawing tools, acrylic paints, watercolour paints, oil paints, pastels, collage. Extra care needs to be taken to ensure art materials are not accidentally spilled therefore containers with tight fitting lids are REQUIRED. All students will practice “leave no trace” to protect and respect these beautiful conservation areas. A full recommended materials list will be sent upon registration.
Saltfleet Conservation Location: 444 First Rd E, Stoney Creek, ON L8J 2X9
All Summer Dates At a Glance
Friday June 5th – Tiffany Falls
Sunday June 14th – Websters Falls
Saturday June 20th - Hermitage
Friday June 26th – Saltfleet
Friday July 3rd – Tiffany Falls
Saturday July 11th – Saltfleet
Friday July 17th – Websters Falls
Saturday July 25th – Hermitage
Friday Aug 7th – Tiffany Falls
Saturday Aug 15th – Saltfleet
Friday Aug 21st – Hermitage
Saturday Aug 29th – Websters Falls
Plein Air Demos
Plein Air Painting Demonstration - The Traditional Approach
Exhibition Continues Online!
A Visual Story of the creation of Lake Superior told through the geological forms and rocks witnessed along its shorelines. Presented by Cheryl-Ann Hills at St James Gallery during the month of April 2026. Join us for the Opening Reception on April 12th, 2026 and listen to Cheryl speak about her experiences and discoveries while exploring and painting Lake Superior over the past 3 years. RSVP not required but appreciated.
Superior Rocks
Testimonials
"You are right about the positive impact your work has on people. I can't tell you how many times I look at the River Rock Rapids painting in our living room and it just draws me in, always bringing back memories of canoe trips up north and the beauty of the Canadian shield.
It's the perspective and colour combination of that painting that keeps drawing me to it. Hard to explain but River Rock Rapids felt like the perfect composition with an incredible harmony in design and colours and a certain dynamic within the shapes of the rocks that just made it outstanding in my view. I guess it's that combination of static, simplified shapes paired with perspective and dynamic, almost movement-like imprints of your brush strokes in the rocks that creates that dynamic tension in that particular painting that makes it stand out so much for me.
I feel exactly the same about your BC mountain painting. There again, I feel like there is a certain non-static, movement-like dynamic in the otherwise static mountains and a vantage point that just draws me into the actual scene. Your use of yellow throughout to represent the sun light just creates that sense of warmth from the sun on an otherwise cold winter day represented through the "cold" green tones.
It's an instant emotional attachment I feel to this piece of art of yours. Being able to create that emotional response in people through your work is something you rightly feel happy and proud about."
— Ulli, Ontario Canada
"Hi Cheryl-Ann, I hope you are enjoying the beautiful autumn weather we are having. I was wondering if the Tiffany Falls piece was available for purchase. If so, could you please let me know the details? I absolutely love this one . You make it difficult to choose!"
— Esther, Ontario Canada
"We have been looking for something to hold a space in our front entrance for a while. We stopped by Studio101 in Southampton today and just knew this was it. We have been looking for something that spoke to us, a feeling so to speak for the last year. This painting spoke to us and the colors as well. We wanted an Ontario artist. So happy to have this beauty in our home. Brought joy and love today. We thank Michael Cannon for his thoughts and wonderful chats as well. Anyway just wanted you to know it now has its rightful place in our very loved home in Port Elgin. Magic was afoot."
— Julia and Richard, Ontario Canada
Land Acknowledgement
"As an artist who paints and writes for the land, I recognize that the landscapes I love are part of the traditional territories of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Cree peoples. My commitment to these waters, forests, and wildlife is intertwined with their enduring stewardship. Through my work, I will continue to honour their teachings by inspiring care for this land—not as a resource, but as a relative."
Book a Studio Visit
Art is best experienced in person. Up-close. With all senses.
As a recent (2020-2025) grant recipient I would like to thank the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario for their support. The funding and support from these organizations help Ontario artists to continue their arts practice.
