ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Serena Malyon: Calgary Illustrator Builds Fantasy Worlds in Watercolour and Acryla Gouache

artist · 2026-09-20

Based in Calgary, Canadian freelance illustrator Serena Malyon creates enchanting fantasy imagery influenced by historical art styles, utilizing watercolour and Acryla gouache in her traditional painting methods. Her artwork often evokes the essence of an undiscovered folktale, filled with vibrant colors and intriguing narratives. Malyon views illustration as the intersection of her passions for reading and painting. After completing her art education in 2012, she transitioned to a full-time freelance career by 2017, working with book publishers, indie authors, magazines, tabletop and video games, as well as collectors. Additionally, she sustains her practice through prints, original pieces, process streaming, artist proofs, and playmats. Central to her personal projects is an original world she started mapping out, which has evolved into a series of thumbnails and paintings. Malyon aspires to transform this worldbuilding into a book or art book one day. More of her creations can be viewed on Instagram at @smalyon.

Key facts

  • Serena Malyon is a Calgary-based Canadian freelance illustrator.
  • Her work combines watercolour with Acryla gouache.
  • She graduated from art school in 2012.
  • She built a full-time freelance career by 2017.
  • Her clients include book publishers, independent authors, magazines, tabletop games, video games, and collectors.
  • She supports her practice through prints, original work, process streaming, artist proofs, and playmats.
  • Her personal work centers on an original world that began with a map.
  • She hopes to eventually turn that worldbuilding into a book or art book.

Entities

Artists

  • Serena Malyon

Institutions

  • Instagram

Locations

  • Calgary
  • Canada

Sources