
Emilie Fantuz is a Vancouver-based artist who embraces life’s adventures.
From her Vancouver studio, artist Emilie Fantuz hones the practice that’s built her the life she loves—pursuing growth and adventure at every chance. Before she moved to Vancouver, Emilie lived in Hawaii, where she began the artistic method of using palette knives, a change that would ultimately deepen her passion for creating art. Throughout her life, it’s been her willingness to take chances with exploring the unknown and pushing her own limits that has brought her happiness and growth. Whether it’s running a marathon or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Emilie’s love for the journey, not just the destination, is what has guided her and culminated in a rewarding career and a fulfilling life.
Our lives are full of twists and turns that offer us the chance to step out of our comfort zone. Some of those chances might seem small, like trying out a new method for creating art, but they often pave the way for other life-changing opportunities, such as a vibrant new style of art, as in Emilie’s case. It was her willingness to take on any change, big or small, that prepared her for one of her life’s most significant adventures – driving cross-country to leave her home in the United States and forge a new life in Canada. The challenge of quitting her job, selling her house, and packing up a van with only what she needed most was daunting, but just like traversing a mountain, you must be willing to step into new territory to reach new heights.
As in art, life too offers unlimited space for growth and exploration. The unknown can be unnerving, but few adventures take place within our comfort zone. Emilie sees the parallel between learning to love the process over the destination within her artwork and within her life as well. Whether it’s packing a van with her paints and palette knives to move to a new country or exploring a new technique in her art, it’s the pursuit of life’s endless possibilities that has taught Emilie to love the journey and embrace the adventures along the way.