A blond middle-age woman smiling in a forest wearing a white top and orange pants.

Hello! I’m Rebecca.

Friends call me Bec. Nice to meet you!

My artistic practice is about creating beauty, cultivating wildness — in connection with nature.

As an Artist

I create original art in Whitby (near Ashburn, north-east of Toronto), Ontario inspired by the natural world. I’m located on 6-acres of environmentally sensitive lands situated in the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine. My process is unhurried — starting daily with walks in the forest or mucking around in my gardens. I bring what nature is teaching me into my art studio, often carrying plants and wildflowers along with me. 

Botanical Casts

My botanical casts are created with fresh plants that I sustainably grow or ethically wildcraft. Every stem, petal and seed are carefully removed after pressing into wet clay. A positive relief is created by pouring plaster over the impression. The casts are painted using non-toxic glazes and natural pigments, including dye plants that I grow and prepare from my gardens. Each cast is one-of-a-kind and ready to hang.

Interested in a botanical cast commission? Let’s get started.

An artist wearing a pink t-shirt and a blue apron creating art in a botanical garden.

Rebecca creating in the herb and botanical garden

Painting + Drawing

Dabbling between abstraction and representation, my paintings and drawings are a nuanced communication between myself and nature — viewing art creation as a conduit to express mutual affection and appreciation, while on a continued road of learning and self-discovery.

Photography

I explore landscapes and botanicals that could easily go unnoticed by a busy traveller. Drawing from experiences of growing up on working farms in southwestern Ontario, I aim to create images that capture the character and emotion of the land. My photos sometimes conjure the quality of other media, such as watercolour, in addition to photography.

My commitment to a green art studio 

I incorporate natural elements into my botanical casts, paintings + drawings and use products that are environmentally friendly is as possible. I also implement waste reduction and hazardous waste mediation in my art creation process. My photography is printed with natural, sustainable printing paper — such as bamboo and agave.

As a Plant-Guardian + Cultivator

I create living art by growing and caring for over 60 edible herbs and garden flowers that I harvest and process for my family, friends and neighbours. I am also rehabilitating forested areas on my property by planting plants, wildflowers and trees that are indigenous to the land, including many that are endangered. 

Each year, I welcome a forest-garden volunteer to share plant knowledge, be active and get our hands dirty — benefiting from the health-promoting effects of being in nature. Please connect with me to inquire about volunteering.

My land is part of the United Plant Saver’s Botanical Sanctuary Network — committed to protecting and providing education about indigenous medicinal plants, wildflowers, fungi, and their habitats.

Visitors welcome anytime, by appointment, to for a tour of the gardens + studio.

As an Educator, Facilitator + Storyteller

Influenced by my background in public health + health promotion, journalism, experiential horticulture, and practical herbalism — I create spaces for people to (re)connect with themselves, other people and nature. I offer occasional workshops and plant walks on my property. Please connect to make an appointment for a forest-garden tour or to learn about upcoming workshops.

My writing has been published by CBC, TVO's The Agenda and more and a sought out guest writer on topics of health, nature + plants and the arts. At times I work as a digital storytelling facilitator with StoryCenter in the US and StoryCentre Canada.

Little, Sassy Artist - a digital story by Rebecca Fortin with StoryCenter

Land Acknowledgement

Gratefully gathering and working in Durham Region which is on the traditional land and treaty territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, the Mississauga Peoples and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. Acknowledging the impact of historical and ongoing colonialism. Seeking reconciliation in friendship and action.

Diversity Statement

I’m deeply passionate about connecting with people through the diversity of nature and creativity. As such, I celebrate our diversity and work for safety and inclusion for all of us.

My art and what I offer from my creative gardens, art studio and workshops are for everyone. 🌈