Sarah Hillock

Sarah Hillock is a contemporary Toronto-based impressionistic realist painter known for her evocative portraits set against abstract colour field backgrounds. Inspired by nature and a deep commitment to wildlife preservation, Hillock’s work balances precision and spontaneity, combining planning with energetic, expressive brushwork.

Her distinctive technique involves oil painting on plastic polymer sheets, working wet-on-wet in a narrow 10–16 hour window, which demands careful preparation and fast execution. Each composition blends movement, depth, and immediacy, resulting in a dynamic fusion of figurative and abstract elements.

Hillock studied Drawing and Painting at OCAD University, earning accolades such as the Libby Steinbeck Altwerger Award for Excellence in Figurative Studies, and held her first sold-out show in 2006 at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. She has participated in artist residencies in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, and received arts grants from the City of St. John’s.

Her work is held in notable collections including The Rooms Museum of Art (St. John’s), The City of St. John’s Private Collection, and The National Museum of Wildlife Art (Wyoming, USA), and she is represented by galleries in Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and internationally.