Like each of her paintings, Rochon Sands artist Vivian Bennett has a unique story to tell.
She has been painting for 13 years. Throughout those years, she has drawn on the support of two local women, Mary Ann Baltimore and Shaunna Tremmel, as models for her work.
"Without them, I would be a tree painter for sure," said Bennett with a laugh.
Bennett has her own expressionistic trademark style.
Bennett said her models fall into character easily convey body language, emotion and feeling — something that is an integral part of her work.
"Without them I would have to invent it, which is hard to do."
In contrast to realism style, Bennett says her models understand the finished product isn't going to be an exact likeness of them.
Tremmel called Bennett's unique work "Vivianism."
Bennett said stories of the prairies inspire her work and she tries to capture the prairie spirit in her art.
She says her work is intended to convey a feeling and emotion.
A highlight in Bennett's career came last fall when she was invited to participate in the Cenovus Energy art competition in Calgary. The invitation was extended to only select Alberta and Saskatchewan artists.
Bennett was thrilled with the prestigious invitation.
"It was such a big surprise. The phone call came out of nowhere."
When Bennett received the invitation, she hadn't painted for two-and-a-half years, because of a broken shoulder and arm.
Bennett and her friends have built an enduring friendship, through their 13 years of working together on Bennett's projects.
They describe the relationship as "teamwork" and "have a good bond."
"We bounce ideas off each other, critique and learn from each other," Bennett said.
"It's so much fun, I don't look at it as work," Baltimore said.
Tremmel said after years on "Vivian's journey," she looks at things differently.
"I've learned to see what's outside the box. The reward is seeing the finished product."
The painting of Bennett's that created the most attention at the Cenovus art competition was "Elsie's Egg Money."
"Elsie" was the mother of Bennett's husband. She would take her "egg-money" to town each Thursday, said Bennett.
The competition ended with a gala in April in downtown Calgary, where the art entries were showcased.
Bennett said the office building is deemed one of the 10 most beautiful buildings in the world.
She said there was plenty of security, and artists were treated to a "fabulous cocktail party."
"It was like being in a movie."
Bennett said she was excited to meet the other artists and have the opportunity to show her work.
While Bennett's art did not win the $12,000 first prize, she was happy "Elsie's Egg Money" sold.
"That was the best part — Cenovus bought it for their permanent collection — how good is that."
Bennett described her art career, the Cenovus success and Baltimore and Tremmel's contribution as "coming full circle."
"I wanted to share the money with Mary Ann and Shaunna and their husbands," Bennett said.
Bennett had an early interest in art and took commercial art in high school in Edmonton, but credits her success as an artist to her many years as a visual display artist doing window displays for the downtown Bay store in Calgary.
"That's where I learned about shapes and composition."
Bennett said she enjoys painting stories about the Prairies and likes working with primary colours.
"I want to share my ideas of how I see the Prairies and its people."