I’ve known Justin Ogilvie for years, and he’s one of those rare artists who is both deeply talented and completely down to earth. He’s a painter, educator, and co-founder of Canvas Method, where he’s helped shape Vancouver’s art scene through his inspiring mentorship and community-focused approach. His classes are known for their energy, depth, and the way he helps people see painting — and themselves — differently. He has a gift for blending artistic rigour with laughter and genuine connection.
Outside the studio, Justin’s all about balance. He loves being in nature, wandering through forests, and spending quality time with his wife. He’s an entrepreneur at heart — always dreaming up creative ventures — and he manages over thirty art studio spaces across Vancouver, fostering a stronger, more connected artistic community.
More than anything, Justin’s a good-vibes kind of guy with a lot of depth — an old soul who loves philosophy and big ideas, but who’s also not afraid to be playful and lighthearted. That’s what makes him special: he reminds you that art, like life, is best when it’s both meaningful and full of joy.
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Which ’hood are you in?
I’m based in East Vancouver. It’s a creative pocket of the city — full of artists, studios, and small independent businesses — and it’s been home for over 15 years. I love being surrounded by that mix of grit, creativity, and community.
What do you do?
I’m a painter and educator whose work explores the tension between figuration and abstraction, reflecting on what it means to be human in our hyper-connected world. I co-founded Canvas Method, offering in-person and online programs in painting, drawing, and mentorship, where teaching and creating are deeply intertwined. I’m also a bit of a closet carpenter and love designing art studios. I currently run several studio spaces in Vancouver, creating over 30 individual studios that foster a vibrant, supportive environment for artists to work, meet, collaborate, and thrive.
Maintaining life-work balance is central to what I do, and I protect a contemplative space amidst a busy life. My mornings often begin with breakfast, reading, writing, and thinking about painting, critical theory, and philosophy. One of my favourite passions is travelling — my wife and I often visit Turkey to see her family and spend time in the Mediterranean, swimming, drawing by the beach, listening to music, and connecting with local children and the wild dogs. Travel, reflection, and creativity are central to my life, and I’m deeply grateful for the space to cultivate them.
What are you currently working on?
I recently had two solo exhibitions of Spectral Bodies and continue exploring what it means to be human in a fractured, hyper-mediated world — navigating solitude, solidarity, and identity, while celebrating the materiality of paint in a digital age. Now I’m back in the studio, chipping away at the work and reflecting on ideas as they come.
Alongside Canvas Method, I’m launching the OG Art Academy, an online school for intermediate-to-advanced artists that blends high-level mentorship with technical, creative, and conceptual approaches, while fostering meaningful online communities. I’m also developing a nature-based art residency on Vancouver Island, where artists can immerse themselves, experiment, and grow in playful, authentic ways.
On the home front, my wife Maria and I are excited to welcome our first cat, Clive, bringing a bit of joy (and mischief) into our lives.
