Welcome to my world! I’m Silvina Lanusse, painter, living on the beautiful coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.
My work is built from fragments: torn paper, vintage letters, scraps of sheet music, old maps, and from memory. What begins as chaos becomes a quiet, layered harmony. That’s the kind of beauty I believe in: unpolished, imperfect and whole.
I was born in Argentina, and I carry that boldness with me: in my colors, in my spirit, and in the way I trust my intuition. I never begin with a plan. I let the piece guide me, layering and tearing until it begins to speak. Collage gives me freedom. The tearing is a release. The rebuilding is how I make sense of things emotionally, visually, and spiritually.
My art is shaped by distance. I paint from that in-between place, from longing, from reflections, from love stretched across hemispheres. New Zealand’s ocean turquoise blues and the deep greens of the Pacific West forests around me are constant companions on my canvas.
Painting what words can’t hold
I create for people who crave beauty with depth, for those who feel the ache of separation but still believe in connection. For those who need solitude as much as they need love. For those who’ve lived many lives, carried many roles, and are learning how to bring all their pieces back together.
Each painting is a place to land, even if it shows up loud, bold, and maybe a little wild. It’s like a deep breath with jazz hands. Life gets messy, and my art doesn’t try to hide that. It just says “Hey, there’s beauty here too.” People tell me it makes them feel seen, or like it’s echoing something they didn’t have words for. That feels like magic to me.
My art? it’s kinda fearless, kinda out there, but it’s also got this sneaky side. It’ll wiggle its way into your brain, stick around in your feels, and then just hang out in your memories.
That whole quiet-but-whoa thing?
Yeah, that’s pretty much me in real life too.
Whether it’s for your walls or someone else’s heart, come find a piece that sticks to the soul. Ask me about art with a spark, a gift that leaves a mark.
If you’ve ever felt something quietly familiar in my work, here’s why I think that might be:
I paint intuitively. I tear paper as a way of letting go and of surrendering to the unknown. I build layers slowly, in solitude, listening more than directing. My process is personal, reflective, and never dictated by trends.
It unfolds the way life often does, through intuition, patience, and trust.
If YOU move through the world in a similar way, this work might feel like kin. Like a mirror for something true inside you.
That quiet recognition, the sense that the art is already part of YOU, is the connection I create for.
Love this feeling? Does this speak to something in you? Let’s create a piece that holds it, let’s create a piece that’s just for you.
Oh, and I’m part of something pretty special
In 2016 and 2018, two of my artwork were chosen as cover art for poetry books by Shannon McEwen, an honor that felt like a true meeting of image and word. These collaborations celebrated the shared language of texture, emotion, and story.
I’m also an exhibiting member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, a community I’m proud to be part of. It’s deeply affirming to share my work alongside artists across the country who are just as passionate about exploring and expressing through art.
I also take pride in my interpretation of furry friends.
I am also an animal lover and, as a pet mom myself, I have felt the unconditional love they share with us humans. I have many clients commissioning me to paint a portrait of their pet. Using their photos as reference and, paying close attention to their expressions and personalities, I carve dogs and cats alike from the canvas out.
What happy clients have to say
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“The 13 years of wonderful memories continue to live on every day in these amazing portraits. Thank you Silvina for capturing the spirit of our beloved Scout!”
Valeria y Javier
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“We were very pleased with the way Silvina captured our two dogs. Their eyes were exactly as they are in real life and the whole painting looked like a photograph. It looked as though you could actually reach out and stroke them. Silvina is an incredible artist!”
Barb and Roy
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“After seeing some of Silvina‘s art in her studio, I was confident to commission her to do a portrait of our dear doodle, Salty. I wanted to surprise my son for Christmas and he was truly pleased with his gift. She painted Salty’s character perfectly from the photos that she took. Salty is no longer with us, but we have a gorgeous portrait by Silvina on our wall to remember him always”
Doreen
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"I commissioned two pet portraits from Silvina for Christmas gifts. I am SO impressed with how they turned out. She made them look so realistic, and the details are incredible. My mom was obsessed with her gift!"
Rochelle and Sue
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Best gift ever!
Sue