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Born in Nigeria, raised in England and living in Yellowknife, Inemesit Essien Graham draws on many influences to create her distinctive paintings.

Painter Inemesit Essien Graham portrays the feelings and sights of life around Yellowknife using bold colour, simple shapes and impressionistic lines. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

Inspired by artists as diverse as Archie Beaulieu and Andy Warhol, Graham applies her own style to Northern motifs. Her work explores the feelings and sights of the sub-Arctic using bright colours, simple lines and rich impressionistic form.

Recent works feature images of bison, bears, ravens, terns, wolves, fish, inukshuks and Northern lights. The familiar symbols are filtered through Graham's experience of American and English pop art and the bright and bustling markets she visits during trips back to Africa.

In her painting titled Winter Wonderland, a woman in a thick fur-trimmed parka expresses the joy of a Northern winter. Her creative selection of oranges, yellows, purples and reds with sharp hues of blue contrast a sense of icy air with warm festive sentiments.

In this painting, Graham's judicious use of line with lots of open space communicates winter's broad expanse. A few splashes of green imply the dynamic mystery of the Northern lights and hint that no matter how vast winter seems, spring always returns.

She also paints commissioned work. She portrays people in a playful pop art style that flatters her subjects with fun and cheerful portraits.

"My work is a reflection of me," the artist explained.

To see more of Graham's work, visit www.inemesitgraham.com