Painter, Illustrator, & Ketubah Artist

About Artist Shannie Van Buren

My Story

I was born in Jerusalem and moved to Canada when I was six. I grew up surrounded by and steeped in elements of Israeli culture – food, art, and décor from back home.

My parents’ store carried beautiful pieces of imported Israeli jewelry, and so much of the Judaica you’ll find here is a reflection of my upbringing.

After studying Fashion Communications and Design at Ryerson University in Toronto Canada, I decided to use my education and talent towards a career as a professional artist. For the last 11 years, my work can be found in children’s books, Sunnybrook Hospital and Camp Robin Hood and I have received recognition as a Ketubah artist for Ketubah.com.

I am endlessly inspired by life and nature, and my goal as an artist is to infuse a sense of play and wonder into everything I create. Finding the humour and lightness in things and then bringing that to life is what fuels me (along with chocolate. Chocolate also fuels me).

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I enjoy exaggerating and embellishing nature, creating vibrant, whimsical scenes that can border on the fantastical, because who doesn’t love a touch of fantasy these days?

Like the winding, leafy tree imagery I’m drawn to, my roots are extremely important to me – but especially as they relate to my dad. He has inspired a lot of my personal work lately, and I miss him every day.

Aside from all this, I love: my children, my dog, animals of all kinds, and cooking up delicious feasts with my husband.

I hope you find some things you like on here. I think you’ll find that whether working traditionally with acrylics and watercolours or digitally, I leave my whole heart on the canvas, each and every time – whatever the canvas may be.

I would love the chance to work with you on a custom piece, visit the commissions page to learn more!

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happy clients

Testimonials

“We couldn’t be happier with the customized Ketubah created by Shannie for our wedding! It captured the essence of our love story beautifully and added a unique touch to our special day. The attention to detail and the personalized elements truly made it one-of-a-kind. Shannie was easy to work with, adaptable and patient with achieving our vision. Our guests were amazed by its beauty and significance, and it now holds a cherished place in our home, reminding us of the love and joy we celebrated on our wedding day. Thank you for creating such a timeless and meaningful masterpiece!”

Angela F

“As we were planning our wedding celebrations we knew that we wanted a ketubah to not only be personalized but also hang in our house as a piece of artwork. Shannie mastered our vision by capturing our wedding scenery and made it a whimsical joy. Shannie is incredible in her field and puts her love into her work.”

Sherri & AdamCompany Name

“We had such a great experience working with Shannie on our Ketubah for our September 2022 wedding. From the first meeting to discuss our vision, we felt so comfortable and trusting that she would deliver exactly what we were hoping for. The Ketubah is better than we could have imagined, incorporating so many personal touches that we will cherish forever. It was also a real conversation piece at our wedding and continues to catch everyone’s eye when they enter our home.”

Arielle & EricaCompany Name

“Shannie’s artistic prowess truly shines through in the custom piece she created for us, inspired by the beloved theme of ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ With meticulous attention to detail, she not only captured our vision but also expertly incorporated hidden symbolism, adding depth and meaning to the artwork. Our Ketubah, our cherished creation, embodies the essence of tradition, resilience, and the joy of life, all beautifully intertwined within Shani’s vibrant brushstrokes. She’s not only incredibly talented but also lovely to work with; she listened attentively to our desires, ensuring that every aspect was tailored to perfection. Thanks, Shannie, for crafting the perfect Ketubah for us!”