Originally from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Darren A. McRae has been painting Canada's natural beauty for nearly 40 years. Having lived in five provinces and travelled the entire length of the Trans-Canada Highway, he has developed a deep appreciation for the wide range of colours and geographical textures found throughout the country. Alberta has been especially influential due to its diverse landscape and has been the primary focus of his work over the past decade. Despite this, he continues to explore and document other regions of Canada each year.

In April 1977, one of McRae's pen and ink drawings was selected for exhibition at the McMichael Art Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario, home to the largest collection of Group of Seven paintings in Canada. Exposure to this collection inspired him to pursue formal art education at the University of Guelph and has had a lasting influence on his style and approach to landscape painting. He has also drawn inspiration from prominent Canadian artists such as Alex Colville and Ken Danby.

McRae works primarily in acrylics on canvas, using thin layers of paint to achieve a sense of luminosity. His goal is to portray Canada's raw beauty through a non-static approach, employing higher-key colours to convey energy and atmosphere. He hopes audiences connect with his interpretation of the nation's landscapes. He is privileged to have his work displayed in homes and offices throughout North America.