Chantelle Trainor-Matties

Originally from British Columbia, Canada, she has Nisga'a-Métis heritage and specializes in illustration, graphic design, painting, and mural work. As a full-time artist, she operates her small business, Frettchan Studios, where she undertakes freelance projects for both private and commercial clients, as well as focusing on personal projects. Her work ranges from bold contemporary Northwest Coast formline to charming cartoons and painterly realism. She enjoys exploring various styles and often seeks ways to combine them to create something unique.

Her art serves as a visual diary, reflecting her inspirations and passions from a young age. Over the years, her subject matter and styles have evolved, embodying who she is at this moment in time. Art has played a significant role in her journey to reclaim her Indigeneity as she studies and learns more about herself and her ancestors. She is particularly drawn to flora and fauna, heavily inspired by the natural world, life, and death, while also incorporating elements of pop culture.