Winter Weather

January Thaw, Edge of Town, 1921 by Lawren S. Harris, National Gallery of Canada

Harris was a member of the Canadian group of early twentieth century artists known as the Group of Seven. They had a Studio, which Harris primarily built and where many of the group created their artwork. Harris was from a wealthy family and wanted to build a space where the less fortunate members of the group could have studio space.

Plein Air

Where the Eagles Soar (date unknown) by Franz Johnston, Art Gallery of Ontario.

Also known as "Frank" Johnston, he was a member of The Group of Seven but loosely associated after he moved to the United States in 1910. His work concentrates on the wilderness around Northwest Ontario. Plein Air

Familiar

Canadian artist Alex Colville painted in highly detailed images in the pointillist style - unusual because of the slow exacting methods it requires - yet his subjects are so "usual" that his methods of achieving his look make you forget that they must have been created by a very meticulous and precise hand.

Side by Side

The West Wind by Tom Thomson, 1916-17, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario is hosting a study of two iconic Canadian artworks  by artist Tom Thomson through January 4, 2015. Tom Thomson's The Jack Pine and his The West Wind are examined side-by-side. I first came to know of Thomson after marrying my Canadian husband and visiting his relatives in Toronto when we went to the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) and I was introduced to the Group of Seven. They were a loosely tied group of landscape artists all choosing to focus on their surroundings as subject matter and thereby created the first major Canadian art movement.

The Jack Pine by Tom Thomson, 1916-17, The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario