Oak Bay artist brings Vancouver Island landscapes to Victoria hotel
Published 5:45 am Friday, April 10, 2026
An Oak Bay artist is bringing Vancouver Island’s landscapes indoors after being selected to create more than 70 original paintings for the Magnolia Hotel & Spa in Victoria.
Donna Anderson, a local painter known for her impressionistic West Coast scenes, is producing the collection as part of a three-year project tied to the hotel’s ongoing room renovations.
“I feel humbled and very grateful,” Anderson said in an interview. “It’s fantastic to be part of something like this.”
The project is being completed in phases, with artwork installed as different sections of the hotel are refreshed each January. The first phase, which includes the top two floors, features 22 paintings, though Anderson produced 26 art pieces to begin the collection.
“They wanted original artwork, not prints or photographs,” Anderson said. “Something guests could really connect with.”
The inspiration behind her work comes from the natural beauty of the West Coast, from oceans and shorelines to skies and forests. Some pieces are based on recognizable locations, while others are drawn from memory and imagination.
Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Anderson said her surroundings have always shaped her artistic perspective.
“It’s second nature to me,” she said. “I’ve grown up around these landscapes.”
She began painting in 2019, but Anderson said her creative roots go back much further. She previously worked in fashion retail, where she developed a strong sense of colour, texture, and design.
The opportunity with the hotel came after owner Nicole Roberts, who was familiar with Anderson’s work, reached out in early October. Anderson completed more than 24 paintings in just three months.
Despite the scale of the project, Anderson said each painting remains unique and close to her heart.
“It’s not like I’m duplicating anything,” she said. “Every piece is different. I don’t know what I’m going to paint until I sit down and start.”
The remaining phases of the project will roll out over the next two years, eventually bringing the total number of paintings to more than 70.
For Anderson, the work is more than just decoration. It’s about creating an experience.
“With each painting, I hope to create a feeling of connection and quiet comfort,” she said. “A place where people can pause and just breathe.”