DJ Cleland-Hura

DJ Cleland-Hura has lived as an artist and teacher on the West Coast for the last 30 years.  Here he has designed fantasy artwork for Magic the Gathering, worked as an illustrator and portraitist, created political cartoons, and won numerous wildlife stamp competitions that raised funds for habitat conservation. Based out of Vancouver, BC, DJ and his wife Jericca have created a life in harmony with nature for their family.

DJ has taught numerous classes and workshops over the years and has been a featured instructor at Pixar Animation Studios, Vancouver Film School, and The Animation Workshop in Denmark. His concept work, as well as lighting and color design, has contributed to a number of film projects including “Finding Nemo”, “Ballerina”, and “Space Chimps”.

Now living on BC’s Sunshine Coast, Cleland-Hura focuses on painting originals for private collections, and developing original content in collaboration with his wife for their studio’s many projects currently in production.  He has participated in a number of international exhibitions including the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum’s “Birds in Art”, the Salmagundi Club Invitational Exhibit in New York, and Christies of London‘s Art Auctions.  His work was featured on the 2001 Paraduxx wine label for Duckhorn Vineyards as well as the 2020 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp.

Through all of his artistic ventures, nature continues to inspire DJ’s work and life. “Spending time in the wilderness studying the environment and the wildlife inspires me to capture the beauty and vitality of Nature.  For me, my art is the best way to repay what nature has given me.  It is my form of praise, of homage, and of thanks.”