Ross Penhall
Ross Penhall
1959 -
Ross Penhall is known for his richly coloured, light-filled landscapes of the West Coast, the Prairies and California, with subjects ranging from mountain fjords to open plains with expansive skies.

Penhall attended the studio art program at Capilano College, and studied printmaking with internationally renowned printmaker Wayne Eastcott. In 1995, Penhall continued his art education through extra-sessional studies at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, during which time he began to work in oil.

The work of artists A.J. Casson, as well as other Group of Seven members, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood and Wayne Thiebaud were a strong influence on Penhall, inspiring his explorations of space and light in the landscape. Additionally, the rhythmic shapes and colours in the work of Georgia O’Keefe have been a strong influence. However, the greatest influence on Penhall’s art has been living in the beautiful hillsides of Vancouver’s North Shore.

Penhall depicts elements in his works such as trees, clouds or mountains using voluminous, simplified shapes. The light in his paintings is warmly atmospheric, often raking across his scenes to highlight a landscape element, and his colours are saturated. His scenes are tremendously evocative; when looking at his work - for example, a landscape with a path - Penhall wants “people to think ‘where is that path going?’ Trigger something from their memory. But what I find interesting are the desire lines. Landscape architects design pathways and then there are these desire lines where people take short cuts. You see them on hillsides where animals travel back and forth. You see them everywhere. You see them in Stanley Park and Central Park. It’s a dirt path through the grass. Cutting a corner. I’m far more interested in the desire lines.” He carefully edits and crops his paintings, deciding “What to leave in, what to leave out. I’m more interested in balance. Tonal values, a point of interest, and balance.” [1]

Penhall has exhibited annually since 1995 - his paintings are sought after, and he is represented by galleries in California and New York. Heffel is pleased to announce that we are now representing his work at our galleries across Canada. His paintings are in numerous private, corporate and public collections in the United States and in Canada.

[1] Michelle Sirois Silver, Manmade Paths: An Interview with Ross Penhall, April 26, 2017
HOW TO SELL
AVAILABLE WORKS
HEFFEL’S TOP RESULTS
Evergreen and Grass by Ross Penhall sold for $43,250
Ross Penhall
Evergreen and Grass
40 x 40 in, 101.6 x 101.6 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 CDN
Sold for: $43,250 CDN (premium included)
Town & Country on Thursday, May 27, 2021
Quattro by Ross Penhall sold for $37,250
Ross Penhall
Quattro
24 x 96 in, 61 x 243.8 cm
oil on canvas quadriptych
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CDN
Sold for: $37,250 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art | Part One on Thursday, September 30, 2021
Floating Forest by Ross Penhall sold for $34,250
Ross Penhall
Floating Forest
48 x 48 in, 121.9 x 121.9 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CDN
Sold for: $34,250 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art | Part One on Thursday, September 30, 2021
Spanish Banks by Ross Penhall sold for $29,250
Ross Penhall
Spanish Banks
40 x 54 in, 101.6 x 137.1 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CDN
Sold for: $29,250 CDN (premium included)
May 2013 - 3rd Session on Thursday, May 30, 2013
Naramata by Ross Penhall sold for $25,000
Ross Penhall
Naramata
35 x 51 in, 88.9 x 129.5 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 CDN
Sold for: $25,000 CDN (premium included)
June 2017 - 5th Session on Thursday, June 29, 2017
Willing to Walk by Ross Penhall sold for $23,750
Ross Penhall
Willing to Walk
31 x 36 in, 78.7 x 91.4 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 CDN
Sold for: $23,750 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art on Thursday, February 27, 2025
Caron and Mr. Moe's Walk by Ross Penhall sold for $23,600
Ross Penhall
Caron and Mr. Moe's Walk
30 x 60 in, 76.2 x 152.4 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 CDN
Sold for: $23,600 CDN (premium included)
July 2016 - 4th Session on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Bellevue Railway by Ross Penhall sold for $21,060
Ross Penhall
Bellevue Railway
36 x 54 in, 91.4 x 137.1 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CDN
Sold for: $21,060 CDN (premium included)
November 2012 - 3rd session on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thetis Island by Ross Penhall sold for $19,890
Ross Penhall
Thetis Island
41 x 54 in, 104.1 x 137.1 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000 CDN
Sold for: $19,890 CDN (premium included)
September 2012 - 1st Session on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Whytecliff Park (View to Bowen Island) by Ross Penhall sold for $17,550
Ross Penhall
Whytecliff Park (View to Bowen Island)
40 x 55 in, 101.6 x 139.7 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 CDN
Sold for: $17,550 CDN (premium included)
November 2010 - 3rd Session on Saturday, November 27, 2010