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Clawhammer Press - Michael Hepher

Michael Hepher is an interdisciplinary artist working as a writer, printmaker, oil painter, and illustrator.

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Michael Hepher's illustrations can be found throughout this website, highlighting Fernie's connection to the landscape and the vibrant local art scene. 

A unique and thoughtful point of view

With 25+ years of experience in the arts, Michael creates with a unique sense of colour, oblique interpretation of the common, and a relentless pursuit of quality.

Michael's artwork has been exhibited extensively at international print exhibitions, regional solo shows, and as large-scale installations in Fernie.

Michael has written extensively; most known for his column ArtBeat of which he has published more than 90 editions over 8 years in the Fernie Fix monthly publication. He is currently adapting those columns into a book of artistic encouragement for small-town artisans—slated for formal publication in 2026. His writing is always thoughtful, challenging, and supportive of creatives in the Kootenay region.

Michael continues his diverse work from his studio in Fernie, BC.

Gallery Shows

People looking at colourful artwork in a gallery.

Interpreting the landscape

As an oil painter, Michael has shown his ability to tackle difficult subject matter on a large scale in solo exhibitions:

  • Where the Three Winds Meet (Elevation Gallery, Feb. 2025)
  • Living Colour (Elevation Gallery, October 2023)
  • His touring exhibition In This Together: was exhibited at 6 galleries around the Kootenays in 2021-2022

Credits

Notable recent credits include a wide variety of successful exhibitions, public art projects, and private commissions, including:

  • Illustration work for a hand-crafted book published by renowned Canadian literary giant Gaspereau Press (May 2023)
     
  • His prints have been shown in a variety of locations, including:
    •  New Impressions exhibit at the Hamilton Wood Type Museum (Two Rivers, WI, USA • 2019 & 2017)
    • A feature profile in Uppercase Magazine’s PRINT/MAKER edition of the Encyclopedia of Inspiration
    • 20for20 International Print Exhibition (Austin, TX, 2020)
    • The Art of Protest International Print Exhibition (London, UK, 2022)
       
  • His Natural Geometry solo exhibition of progressive prints showed in:
    • Revelstoke (June 2024)
    • Canmore (September 2024)
    • Cranbrook (October 2024)
    • Kimberley (September 2025)

Resources

Printmaking

Painting

Writing

In Person

  • Clawhammer Press Studio is open in Fernie by appointment
  • All Kinds of Beauty Mural, corner of 2nd Ave & 7th Street in Historic Downtown Fernie
  • A Hardy Town Sculpture, with Paul Reimer, outside the Arts Station at 601 1st Ave in Historic Downtown Fernie
  • Michael Hepher regularly exhibits his work at galleries across British Columbia and Alberta