Mary Mitchell Art - Enlightened Collection

Enlightened Collection

The Enlightened Collection explores the hidden dimensions of light within the natural world.

Using fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments, these paintings transform under ultraviolet light, revealing unexpected colours, details, and layers that remain unseen in daylight. Each piece exists as both a traditional painting and an evolving visual experience.

Inspired by the idea that nature holds more than we initially perceive, the Enlightened Collection invites viewers to discover a second story beneath the surface and to experience familiar landscapes in a new way.

Medium Statement

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments.

All artwork is ready to hang and available for shipping or local pickup on Gabriola Island.

Shipping

I offer shipping or local pickup on Gabriola Island. All artwork is shipped through Canada Post. You can get an idea of shipping costs using their rate calculator:
Canada Post – Find a Rate

To estimate the package size, add about 2 inches to each dimension for packing materials. For paintings larger than 24" on any side, use 5 lbs as the estimated weight; for smaller pieces, use 4 lbs.

ELECTRIC BLOOM

This peony was inspired by a flower growing in my garden. I was drawn to the brilliant contrast between its pink petals and luminous yellow centre, and I couldn't help imagining how those colours might transform under changing light.

The painting celebrates both the flower's natural beauty and the hidden vibrancy revealed through the Enlightened Collection's fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments. It is a reminder that even familiar things can reveal something unexpected when viewed from a different perspective.

$1,920 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

48" x 48" x 1.5"

AFTER THE SURF

This piece was inspired by the walk home from the Surf Lodge on Gabriola Island. Looking across Clark Bay from Berry Point Road, I watched as the sun slowly descended toward the Strait of Georgia, bathing the landscape in warm evening light.

The changing colours and reflections transformed a familiar view into something fleeting and unforgettable. In the Enlightened version of this painting, the transition from natural light to ultraviolet light and finally to phosphorescent glow reflects the progression of the day itself, from sunset into twilight. As the visible light fades, new colours emerge and linger, much like the final traces of a coastal sunset remaining in memory long after the sun has disappeared below the horizon.

$1,210 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

36" x 36" x 1.5"

BEFORE THE THAW

This painting was inspired by one of my daily dog walks on a rare snow-covered day. The low winter sun cast a warm golden light across the trees, creating a striking contrast with the cool blue shadows stretching across the snow.

What caught my attention most was the sparkle in the branches as they reflected the changing light. In the Enlightened Collection, fluorescent pigments help capture that fleeting warmth, while the blue phosphorescent glow evokes the quiet stillness of a winter evening. As the painting transitions from natural light to ultraviolet light and finally to a gentle glow, it reflects the journey from daylight into twilight, preserving the memory of a beautiful winter walk just before the thaw.

$770 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

30" x 24" x 1.5"

KALEIDOSCOPE

This painting was inspired by a sunlit fir tree in the Elder Cedar Forest on Gabriola Island. While many people see an arbutus, what captured my attention was the way the spring sunlight illuminated the fir needles high above the forest floor.

I often find myself looking up into the treetops during my walks, fascinated by the endless patterns created where branches, light, and colour intersect. The shifting shapes reminded me of a kaleidoscope, changing and revealing something new. This piece is a celebration of that simple joy and the beauty hidden in the forest canopy.

$770 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

30" x 24" x 1.5"

ENERGETIC BEAUTY

Inspired by my love of exploring tide pools, this painting celebrates the vibrant beauty and energy of the sea anemone. Their flowing tentacles and brilliant colours create an almost otherworldly presence beneath the water's surface.

The Enlightened treatment brings that energy to life. Under ultraviolet light, the tentacles appear to reach outward and extend beyond the canvas. As the glow persists after the light is removed, the painting captures the mystery and wonder of the coastal world that continues long after the sun has set.

$890 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

24 " x 36" x 1.5"

PINK MOUNTAIN LIGHT

Pink Mountain Light captures the calm of day's end, as the last warm light brushes the mountain peaks and reflects across still waters below. The quiet surface mirrors the landscape, creating a sense of peace and balance that often appears in the moments just before sunset fades.

What drew me to this scene was the contrast between the warm glow on the mountains and the cooler colours settling into the shadows. In the Enlightened version of the painting, ultraviolet light reveals subtle textures and hidden movement within the sky, while the phosphorescent glow carries the scene into twilight. As the visible light fades, the painting transitions into a memory of the landscape, preserving the lingering colours and tranquility of the evening.

$770 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

24" x 30" x 1.5"

DRUMBEG DREAMS

Drumbeg Dreams was inspired by the iconic tree standing amid the golden winter grasses at Drumbeg Provincial Park on Gabriola Island. The solitary tree has a quiet presence that always draws my attention, especially during the softer light of winter when the landscape seems both peaceful and timeless.

In daylight, the painting captures the warmth of the grasses and the beauty of this familiar coastal landmark. Under ultraviolet light and through the phosphorescent glow, the sky transforms into sweeping ribbons of colour and light, adding a dreamlike quality to the scene. Like many memories of special places, the landscape evolves as the light fades, revealing a sense of wonder that lingers long after sunset.

$770 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

24" x 32" x 1.5"

MOSSY MORNING

Mossy Morning was inspired by a familiar sight along coastal forest trails, where the morning light catches the moss hanging from tree branches and transforms the woods into a scene of quiet beauty. The low sunlight illuminates the warm greens while cool shadows remain tucked beneath the forest canopy.

Using a palette knife, I emphasized the draping textures of the moss and the rugged character of the bark, creating layers that reflect the richness of the coastal landscape. In the Enlightened version, the sun and its illumination become a stronger focal point. Under ultraviolet light and through the phosphorescent glow, the warmth of the morning light lingers, revealing hidden textures and extending the feeling of dawn into the transition toward twilight.

$770 CAD

Acrylic on canvas with fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments

24" x 30" x 1.5"

12" Squares

$250 CAD

Acrylic on canvas

12" x 12" x .75"

Enlightened Collection

Medium Statement

Shipping

ELECTRIC BLOOM

AFTER THE SURF

BEFORE THE THAW

KALEIDOSCOPE

ENERGETIC BEAUTY

PINK MOUNTAIN LIGHT

DRUMBEG DREAMS

MOSSY MORNING

12" Squares

BLACK LILY

I DON'T LIKE THE WAY THAT FLOWER IS LOOKING AT ME

MY LOVE HATE REALTIONSHIP WITH BC FERRIES

JUNGLE