Courtney Caroline is an acrylic painter based in Vancouver, B.C., known for her bold, vibrant use of colour that brings food, travel, and shared experiences to life. Courtney grew up creative, and art has always been a prominent part of her life; when she was younger, she dabbled in art lessons, but it was through her own exploration and practice that she created her unique style. She was raised in a ‘foodie’ family, so her muse was served to her before she even knew how to savour it. Excited about exploring new foods and restaurants, she draws inspiration from her own adventures – from places like Italy, known for its delicious, fresh foods, to local delights here in Vancouver, where she captures moments through photography before transforming them into mouth-watering artwork. You can be certain that any food portrayed in Courtney’s art is certified delicious. Her paintings are not just visually captivating; they are also a personal experience, making each piece a reflection of flavours and memories. Through her art, Courtney invites viewers to indulge in nostalgia, create conversation, and celebrate the joys of food as a universal connection.
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Which hood are you in?
I moved to Vancouver four years ago, and the South Cambie/Queen Elizabeth neighbourhood quickly became my ‘hood’. I didn’t know the area well at the time- it was kind of random that I found a place here -but I couldn’t be happier. It’s full of amazing coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, and mom-and-pop grocery stores, all of which serve as inspiration for my art. There’s an abundance of outdoor spaces, with the beautiful mountains as a backdrop. I’m a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown, but I can still walk there-or to the water-if I want to. I love living in an area that gives me the choice between a quieter neighbourhood and the vibrant energy of the city.
What do you do?
I paint food-whether it’s inspired by travel, dinners with friends or family, nostalgic ingredients I grew up with, or hours spent browsing grocery store aisles (my favourite pastime). Each painting is created from a reference photo I’ve taken-it’s usually a moment of, “yep. That food was incredible. I’m going to paint it.” It’s an intuitive process. My paintings often feature grocery store shelves, single products, or tablescapes. I create original pieces that are personal to me, and I also do commissions for food establishments and private collectors.
Food is a universal language, and I love connecting with fellow food lovers and building community around it. It carries so much nostalgia and can be a powerful catalyst for connection and conversation. I also love spotlighting local businesses in Vancouver, sharing my favourite spots, and getting recommendations from people who connect with my art.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on a series called The Local Grocer, which highlights small, local grocery stores in Vancouver. I’ve been asking the public to share their favourite mom-and-pop shops, and once I get a recommendation, I go check it out (I paint what I eat- I have to know if it’s good!). The plan is to visit a handful of these spots, photograph the aisles and a few standout products, and then paint them. I don’t think there’s a better time to spotlight local businesses and encourage people to shop Canadian.
I’m also working on a few commissioned pieces and some other exciting upcoming projects.
Where can we find your work?
a. Gourmet Warehouse: I had several paintings and prints on display at the end of April. Highlighting some customer favourite ingredients…
b. Sticky Group Show at Gallery 881 on May 30th and 31st. This will be a collection of mini paintings on sticky notes.
c. Solo Show, ‘The Local Grocer’ at Slice of Life from June 26th – July 1st.
d. Solo Show at the Kube in Gibsons, B.C. for the month of December 2025
