Group of Seven

A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 223: Canada’s Painted Grandeur, Part 10

 

carr-emily-Stumps-And-Sky-1934

Emily Carr, Stumps and Sky, 1934

“Art is an aspect of God and there is only one God, but different people see Him in different ways. Though He is always the same He doesn’t always look the same…” – Emily Carr (1871-1945) was never an official member of the Group of Seven, but as a contemporary of the Group and a painter of considerable vision and skill, she was enfolded by her fellow artists. Lawren Harris, the founder of the Group of Seven, once told her, “You are one of us.” Carr is featured today as the last installment of my look at Canada’s Painted Grandeur…

A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 221: Canada’s Painted Grandeur, Part 8

Frederick-H-Varley-Stormy-Weather-Georgian-Bay-1920

Frederick Varley, Stormy Weather Georgian Bay, 1920

“I want to paint sunshine and burning golden leaves and blue waters, and laughing faces. ” – Frederick Varley (1881-1969) was a member of the celebrated Group of Seven and the featured artist for Part 8 of Canada’s Painted Grandeur…

A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 214: Canada’s Painted Grandeur, Part 3

lake-superior lawren harris 1923

Lawren Harris, Lake Superior, 1923

“Art is long. Life is short. A picture can become for us a highway between a particular thing and a universal feeling.” – Lawren Harris (1885-1970) was responsible for forming the celebrated Group of Seven and is the featured artist for Part 3 of Canada’s Painted Grandeur…

A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 213: Canada’s Painted Grandeur, Part 2

FranklinCarmichael-Scrub-Oaks-and-Maples-1935

Franklin Carmichael, Scrub Oaks and Maples, 1935

“A landscape clean and crisp in form and colour, rich in inspiration is all that an artist could wish for, begging to be used, and full of inherent possibilities…” – Franklin Carmichael (1890-1945) was a member of the celebrated Group of Seven, and is the featured artist for Part 2 of Canada’s Painted Grandeur…

 

 

A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 212: Canada’s Painted Grandeur, Part 1

Thomson Sunset 1915

Tom Thomson, Sunset, 1915

“Take everything as it comes; the wave passes, deal with the next one.” – Tom Thomson (1877-1917)

For the next couple of weeks I hope to soak up as much beauty as I can in the little corner of my adopted country of Canada. Over those days I will present Canada’s Painted Grandeur through images from the country’s most celebrated clan of artists, the Group of  Seven. Ironically, this look at the Seven will be in ten parts! That is, not only the Seven, but their main influence and two of their contemporaries.

It is fitting today to share a painting by Tom Thomson, a man who died far too young but gave inspiration that has lasted for a hundred years (so far). He is the main influence on the Group of Seven and on thousands of artists to this day.  In his work he embodies the spirit of Canada: a wildness and humbleness, a colorful display that is very much alive and thriving.

Over the next two weeks you’ll see how each of these artists, through their own unique vision of the Canadian wilderness, were able to imprint an image to the soul of their young country.