Alexander Young Jackson (1882 – 1974)  Group of Seven member A.Y. Jackson is one of Canada’s best known and loved artists.  During his long illustrious career he crisscrossed Canada numerous times, painting a new vision of our country. Many of his paintings are familiar, widely recognized iconic images contributing to a unique Canadian artistic identity.  A.Y. Jackson was born in Montreal. He studied art in France and moved to Toronto in 1913 where he lived in the Studio Building for almost forty years. There he became widely recognized as a leading and outspoken member of the famous Group of Seven. He travelled extensively, painting every corner of Canada from coast to coast to coast. His paintings are represented in galleries and private and corporate collections around the world.  In 1952, Jackson moved to Manotick, a small town just south of Ottawa. For the next 16 years he painted throughout the Ottawa Valley. During this latter part of his career, the wilderness and farming country of the Madawaska Hills in the Upper Ottawa Valley became a favourite painting destination. Almost every spring and fall he embarked on sketching trips with his friends, Ottawa artists Maurice Haycock and Ralph W. Burton. Their repeated painting trips throughout the area attest to the unlimited artistic beauty to be found here. The location of the following Lake Clear area sketches are not specifically identified but presented as a challenge for the viewer to find and in so doing experience what A.Y. might have felt as he carefully assessed the landscape for subject matter.  Getting out in the fresh air and warm sun of early Spring was a favourite time for A.Y.  This 1961 roadside sketch is one of many made in the Lake Clear area.  A cerulean blue sky with light fluffy clouds was one of his strategies for painting an early Spring day.  Painting along the Opeongo Line was a favourite setting.  "When Alex first arrived at our cottage on his own I didn't know where he might be interested to paint, so I took him up to the Opeongo.  That seemed to work because for years thereafter I'd drop him off mid-morning and pick him up late afternoon." (Robert Starrs)  Another Opeongo Line sketch  These Opeongo Line sketches are not included in the A.Y. Jackson Trail so as not to intrude on private property.  This 1964 sketch titled Beaver Lake, Eganville is typical of many small ponds in the area that can be easily portrayed with fore, mid and background shorelines and plant growth marking water shallowness. (the discolouring occurred in the editing of this picture)  This 1961 sketch titled Little Lake near Eganville Ont could also be an autumn scene on Silver Lake.   This back road scene in the Combermere area has enough detail that even after 50 years it might be identifiable.  North west area of Lake Clear looking towards Lake Clear Rd - April 19?? Hopefully trying to locate where these sketches were painted has stimulated a critical assessment of the landscape in a way A.Y. might have viewed it. |