The Birds Are Calling!
I'm Gina — a contemporary Canadian artist living off the grid in rural Minnesota along the rocky shores of Lake Superior. With a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (2008), I work primarily in acrylics on canvas. My paintings are often described as magical realism: detailed, whimsical, and full of life.
About Gina
Leaving the open prairies of Alberta in 2019, I settled deep in the maple forests of the North Shore. Here, I haul water, chop wood, and live close to the land on my own determined terms. This life — part wild, part wonder — fuels everything I create.
As a mom of two, I've never lost the playful spirit of childhood. My studio is surrounded by migratory birds and winter residents that visit daily. Grandma's treasured teacup collection sits close at hand, and one quiet moment painting a simple still life changed everything. A bird landed on the windowsill outside… and the "Birds on a Cup" series was born.
I paint prolifically. Every surface in my world eventually gets decorated and made beautiful in some way — because why not? Life is too short for plain anything. You'll often hear me laughing in the studio because I believe art should bring joy, not just seriousness.
Three loons, fresh from the studio
Living and painting in these woods is both deeply grounding and wildly freeing. Whether I'm chasing the perfect reference photo through the trees or watching sunlight catch the gold rim of a teacup, I'm constantly reminded of the magic that still exists in the everyday.
As Frida Kahlo said: "Painting completed my life." I couldn't agree more.
Come Say Hello
You'll find me at art fairs and markets throughout the Grand Marais and Duluth area most of the year. If you spot my booth, stop by — I love meeting fellow bird lovers and sharing a good laugh.
Birds on a Cup at the Grand Marais Farmers Market
My little art critic, hard at work
A huge thank you to my parents, family, and friends who have supported this wild artistic journey. None of this would be possible without you.
Commission an Original Painting
I accept a limited number of commissions each year. Whether it's a favorite bird, a special wildlife memory, or a completely custom piece, each painting is created by hand, with care and joy, just for you.
Press & Features
Gina's work and story have been featured in local and regional media, and she is one of 38 remarkable women highlighted in She Does — a book celebrating entrepreneurial women on the North Shore.
- Duluth News Tribune — "Hovland Painter Focuses on Feathers & Finery"
- Northern Wilds — "She Does: Telling the Story of Mompreneurs in Cook County"
- She Does — Gina is featured among 38 entrepreneurial women of the North Shore. Get the book at she-does.org