Hether Klesh
(b. Hamilton, Ontario | Lives and works in Niagara, Ontario, Canada)

Hether Klesh is a Canadian realist and conceptual artist whose intimate portraits of animals are known for their emotional depth and spiritual resonance. A self-taught artist raised on the edge of Hamilton’s Red Hill Valley and the Mount Albion Karst Cavern system, Hether developed a lifelong bond with nature that continues to inform her work. Her art reflects not only a love for animals but a meditative connection to their inner world—what many collectors describe as "capturing the very spirit of the subject."

For over three decades, Hether has created deeply personal animal portraits using graphite and oil pastel. Her earlier experimentation spanned acrylics, watercolor, soapstone, and ceramics, and she now channels her talents into both realistic and increasingly conceptual projects. With a background in both visual art and neuroscience-informed education, Hether is passionate about the connections between seeing, creativity, and brain plasticity—insights she shares through her long-running free seminar series, “Are You In Your Right Mind?”

Hether has exhibited widely, including solo and group shows at Hamilton Public Library and McMaster Innovation Park’s Artists in the Workplace. She has been featured in Collectibles Canada Magazine, appeared on Cable 14’s Expose Yourself, and was commissioned by Pfizer for licensed pet portraits. A community leader and advocate, she has served on the Boards of Interval House and Working Service Dogs, rehabilitated wild songbirds, and frequently donates work to local causes.

In 2016, Hether was voted Best Local Artist – Bronze by readers of the Hamilton Spectator, a testament to her lasting impact on the regional arts scene. Her work continues to attract collectors who appreciate her technical mastery, heartfelt subject matter, and dedication to making art accessible to all.