Canadian Artist Helen McNicoll

"The Farmyard"

Last month I began a series of haiku drawing inspiration from paintings by Canadian artist, Helen McNicoll. I stumbled upon her work when I saw a painting of a winter scene. The painting was that was so impressive that I had to find out who the artist was. I discovered that the painting in question, “Montreal in Winter” was painted by Helen McNicoll.

Montreal in Winter"

When I began to do some research, I found that “Montreal in Winter” was not was not typical of McNicoll’s work. An impressionistic painter working just after the turn of the 2oth century, the artist was noted for her luminous rural settings. She studied art in Montreal, and then went to London and Paris to further her studies. One of the first Canadians to achieve success as an impressionist painter, McNicoll is known for her advanced impressionistic technique in her study of light and air, and her bold use of colors. [1]

McNicoll’s paintings are full of life and light. Her work consisted primarily “of working women and maternal themes in outdoor settings.” [2] She made an astounding contribution and influence in her short career, dying at the age of 35 due to complications from diabetes.

"In the Shadow of the Tent"

"Picking Flowers"

The brief video below presents a slide show of her life and accomplishments. To read more about her life and career, go here and here. 

I will continue to present some of her work in my Saturday Haiku posts on this blog. Paintings featured so far:
    Montreal in Winter                                       Ducks on a Pond
    Reflections                                                      On the Cliffs
    Market cart in Brittany                                September Evening                  
    Moonlight                                                       Footbridge in Venice                       

    Landscape with cows                                   Farm Yard in Brittany                

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1. See “Helen McNicoll: Her Life and Work,” by Samantha Burton,  at https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/helen-mcnicoll/biography.

2. See Dictionary of Canadian Biography at http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/mcnicoll_helen_galloway_14E.html


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