Darren Umbsaar
F i n e A r t
Artist's Bio
Darren Umbsaar was born in Calgary, AB in 1995. Being raised in a city so close to the mountains allowed Darren to pursue hiking and photography from a young age, and over the years he has developed an ever-growing fascination with the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Darren obtained both BSc. and MSc. degrees in Geology from the University of Calgary (U of C), and during his studies he found time to develop his painting skills as a self-taught artist, inspired by his mountain adventures and spurred onwards by his knowledge of earth science. Darren has been painting full time since 2021, at which time he joined his first gallery-- Avens Gallery in Canmore.
Many of Darren's works tend to highlight the rugged, dynamic, and awe-inspiring nature of the mountains; he strives to depict the mountains with a lively balance of their realistic rawness and their magical, idyllic allure. Darren is equally likely to paint a grand, sweeping vista of summits in the morning sun, or a lowly pile of boulders in a streambed; the possibilities are endless for a landscape painter in the vastness of the Canadian Rockies.
Inspired by both contemporary impressionists and old masters, Darren's primary objective is to produce eye-catching compositions and a strong sense of lighting and atmosphere by the build up of layers of acrylic paint. Currently, Darren's work is represented at Avens Gallery in Canmore, AB, and Art on 9th in Invermere, BC. He attends a number of shows throughout the year in Calgary, so be sure to follow him on social media so you don't miss his next showings!
CV
Past Shows and Exhibitions
2016 - October - Calyx Distinctive Arts
2017 - April - Calyx Distinctive Arts
2017 - October - Calyx Distinctive Arts
2018 - April - Calyx Distinctive Arts
2018 - October - Calyx Distinctive Arts
2019 - April - Calyx Distinctive Arts
2019 - June - cSpace Summer Exhibition
2019 - June - Renfrew Baptist Church Flea Market
2019 - October Calyx Distinctive Arts
2020 - October Beacon Original Art
2020 - October 31- Nov 1 Acclaimed Fine Art
2021 - March 13 -14 Acclaimed Fine Art
2021 - September 18 -19 Acclaimed Fine Art
2021 - Calgary Guardian Feature
2021 - October 22 - 23 State of Art Society
2021 - November 17 - 21 Art Market (Telus Convention Center)
2022 - April 2 - 3 Acclaimed Fine Art
2022 - Art on 9th - "Interpretation" show
2022 - Art on 9th - "Christmas Interpretation" show
2023 - April Acclaimed Fine Art
2023 - October Acclaimed Fine Art
2023 - Art on 9th - "Joy" show
2024 - Acclaimed Fine art Spring, Summer, and Fall shows
Gallery Representation
Avens Gallery, Canmore, AB
Art on 9th, Invermere, BC
Upcoming Shows
2025 - Spring Acclaimed Fine Art