A background in biology and a passion for painting make wildlife art a natural fit for Colette Theriault. For years, the Sudburian studied the environment and the effects humans have on it, while painting part-time. About eight years ago, she decided to let her love for painting take over and became a full-time artist.

Keeping her knowledge of the natural world close by, she has been able to commission work around North America. She recently completed a canine portrait for the US Pentagon K-9 Detection Unit.

The latest of her accomplishments continues to tie her love of nature with art. Her painting Two's Company, which portrays two black-capped chickadees on a white birch tree, was selected to appear in the live exhibition at Artists for Conversation. A second piece by Theriault will also appear in the online gallery.

Theriault said having work selected was a huge honour, considering she wasn't even going to enter her pieces.

“It's something I wanted to do, but I didn't think I was ready for artistically,” she said.

Being part of an art group that so closely ties her passions has given the Valley painter the chance to use her work to promote something important to her — which couldn't provide the artist with better opportunities.

“I believe that being a member of the AFC not only allows me to share my love of the natural world's most precious wonders on a more global scale and allow me to connect with like-minded artists, but more importantly, it acts as an influential platform to further promote conservation and education,” she said.

To see her work, and for more information about AFC, visit festival.artistsforconservation.org.