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 & Residencies, Awards 2024

Oak Spring Garden Foundation Botanical Artist in Residence, July 7-28, 2024
Oak Spring Garden, Upperville, VA, USA

27th International Botanical Exhibition for the American Society of Botanical Artists
Society of Illustrators, New York, NY, USA, September 25 – December 28, 2024

Success, Spring Show (For artists receiving their Signature Status with the Federation of Canadian Artists).
Awarded Signature/Senior Status (SFCA)
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, April 23-May 5 2024

Third Place - Muse Exhibition, FCA Edmonton Chapter
Edmonton, AB, May 2024

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