Let’s cast a spotlight on four phenomenal fine artists who share one important trait: they were artists long before the world could tell them otherwise. These gifted creators have built powerful careers based on passion, intuition, and an unshakable calling to bring beauty into the world. Their work is bold, moving, and deeply personal—and it’s all available right here in our region.
Paula White-Diamond: A Legacy in Layers
A true legend in the local art world, Paula White-Diamond has built a lasting legacy—not only as a prolific artist but also as a respected gallery owner in the Waterloo Region. Her latest body of work is inspired by fleeting glimpses through windows while driving past homes, imagining the stories that unfold within. This architectural series blends abstract forms with vivid colours, inviting viewers to enter her imagined spaces.
Paula’s creative journey has evolved through surreal landscapes, radiant florals, and now these bold fragmented compositions. Her gallery recently merged with KULTIQ, a stunning space at 48 Ontario St. N, Unit 101 in Kitchener, where fine art meets upscale men’s fashion. The gallery lives on in spirit and vision—welcoming art lovers into a space that celebrates design, creativity, and connection.
Sherry Czekus: Moments in Motion
Known for her signature colour palette and minimalist elegance, Sherry Czekus has been a staple at the PWD Gallery for years. Her work explores the nuances of public and private spaces—figures often rendered in soft abstraction, drifting into their surroundings. Her use of white and off-white creates a calm yet compelling atmosphere, while her unique vantage points give viewers the freedom to interpret the story.
Czekus’ urban-inspired pieces encourage a pause—to see people not just as passersby but as the protagonists in an unfolding narrative.
Stephanie Fehrenbach: Wild Florals and Imaginative Freedom
Before she could even read, Stephanie Fehrenbach was drawing. Though she briefly stepped away from art to follow a traditional path, her passion pulled her back in full force. Today, she’s known for her emotionally charged florals—lush, sculptural, and full of movement.
Working with thick oil paint, Stephanie uses negative space to give her colourful blooms a sense of weightlessness. Her style is intuitive, bold, and bursting with life. “It lit my imagination on fire,” she says of her technique—and the feeling is mutual when you stand before her vibrant work.
Kreso Cavlovic: Painting Life in Elora
In the heart of Elora, Kreso Cavlovic welcomes visitors to Gallery Vernissage, where art and community intersect. With over 40 years as a professional artist and exhibitions spanning Hong Kong to Holland, Kreso brings global experience to his local gallery. His muse? Everyday moments, rendered with emotion and clarity.
A recurring motif in his work is the dove—three doves often appear, symbolizing family and spiritual harmony. His studio gallery is open to the public, and if you’re lucky, you might catch him in action, brush in hand, translating inspiration into colour.
Why Buy Local Art?
Skip the mass-produced prints and invest in artwork that tells a story—crafted by someone who has poured their soul into every stroke. Supporting local artists not only brings original beauty into your space but also nurtures a creative ecosystem that keeps our communities vibrant.
These four artists were born to create—and their work deserves a place in your world.
Helen Fidler seeks to create beautiful spaces that evoke strong emotions in her audience. Her bold and unique visual vocabulary observes her favourite artists and architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Jackson Pollock. She free-flows from surrealism into an unrestrained abstract style when she paints, which carries over into her interiors when decorating clients’ homes. “My art is an expression of how I work through the troublesome realities of this world in a way that hopes to bring beauty to everything I touch,” she explains. For her, designing gorgeous interiors and creating stimulating paintings are essential to making the world around her a more beautiful space.
