Homage

This view reminds me of the iconic Group of Seven Paintings, thus the name.

When I first started painting, people often compared me to the Group of Seven. I fought against it. I mean, they were old school. These images have become so iconic - They are on aprons, coffee cups, even our stamps - we hardly notice them anymore.

But I have been revisiting those painters. Many of the group were graphic designers, which shows in their work. Those compositions are amazing. The official start of The Group was in 1920, over 100 years ago. The paintings still look fresh and contemporary today.

A few years back I was at the Plein Air Convention in Monterey. T.A. Lawson gave a slide show of his favourite artists. There was a gasp of appreciation in the room.
“Who is that?" the Texan beside me drawled.
“Tom Thompson,” I replied.
“How do you know that?"she said.
“He’s Canadian,” I replied.
Tom Thompson mysteriously died before the Group of Seven formed, but influenced them. A few years back the Masters Gallery in Calgary had a Tom Thompson Show which was fabulous. .There has been more interest in the Group of Seven partly due of Steve Martin’s admiration and promotion. Those pieces are timeless.

A.Y. Jackson, a member of the group, painted near Pincher Creek. I’ve heard stories where he exchanged paintings for supper. I heard they are among the prize possessions in those ranch houses. Recently my husband and I were at a BnB down south, where to our delight, there was an original Jackson hanging on the wall.

This reference is on Highway 92 between Banff and Jasper. It reminded me of those Group of Seven trees- twisted and tortured by the elements.

This painting is being shown at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond.