Six years ago, Carmen Frank made a life-changing decision — one that took her from a stable healthcare career to the vibrant, unpredictable world of professional art.
“I always thought becoming an artist wasn’t practical,” said Frank. “So I went into sciences and chose a solid, reliable job in healthcare.”
Originally from Burnaby, B.C., Frank pursued her education at the University of Alberta and later worked as a registered dietitian for Alberta Health Services. It was during a student internship with the Alberta Canola Producers Commission — working at the Calgary Stampede — that her path quietly began to shift.
“I’d spend my breaks at the Western Oasis in the BMO Centre,” she recalled. “The fine art there was mesmerizing. I told myself, one day I want to be on those walls.”
That quiet dream simmered while Frank spent a decade helping others heal and thrive. But in 2019, a phone call with her sister-- where they both shared their artistic ambitions-- sparked something deeper.
“We pushed each other to go for it," she said. "I applied to the Stampede Art Show, and I got in."
The acceptance was a turning point. Immersed in the Stampede’s artist community and bolstered by her support system, Frank made the leap to painting full-time. Her subject? The landscapes that define the Canadian West.
“I paint prairies, foothills, and mountains, (and all) the scenery you can find within an hour or so from Cochrane. That’s what fills my heart.”
In 2023, Frank and her family moved to Cochrane, a change she calls transformative.
“We absolutely love it here. The trails, the mountain views, the community-- it’s where we want our kids to grow up,” she said. “That line where the prairies meet the Rockies? It’s endlessly inspiring.”
Frank’s work now regularly features Cochrane’s distinct skyline, golden fields, and western sunsets. Her pieces are available online, through the Avens Gallery in Canmore, and annually at the Calgary Stampede’s Art Show.
But for Frank, art is about more than scenic beauty — it’s about connection.
“People will stand in front of a painting and say, ‘This reminds me of my childhood,’ or, ‘This was our last road trip together before the kids moved out.’ That emotional reaction. That’s what I live for as an artist.”
Now preparing for her fourth Calgary Stampede Art Show, running July 4–13, 2025, Frank is excited to unveil a new collection.
“I’m bringing some big pieces this year,” she said with a smile. “Each one tells a story, and I can’t wait to share them.”
The new pieces are rooted in her latest adventures and the rugged elegance of Alberta’s wild spaces. The centerpiece of the collection is a six by 12 foot wide painting of Mount Rundle.
“It's this really peaceful piece,” she described. “It shows as the light is changing between night and day and I'm really excited to kind of debut that piece there.”
To explore Carmen Frank’s work, visit: www.carmenfrankart.com
