The story behind the story: My brother and I had the evening paper route in the next village. Sometimes the moon would light our way home.

This is the fifth and final painting in my series, The Story Behind the Story. To see the rest of the series click here.

My brother and I had the evening paper route in the next village. Sometimes the moon would light our way home.

The story behind the story:

Delivering the newspaper was a familiar occupation for children up until recently.  It used to be a safe way for a young person to make a little pocket money as well as get to know the people and intimately explore the geography in their community.  Although I never had a paper route, my daughter had one, so in effect I did too. Simple traditions such as a paper route would provide a wealth of material for stories.  So many came from experiences encountered on route. If you have any more paper route stories that spring to mind I would love you to send them to me.

acrylic on canvas

36" x 48"

The story behind the story: Holding up Traffic

This is the fourth painting in my series, The Story Behind the Story.  This is a short series of weekly posts, 5 in total, each focusing on one particular painting from my narrative work. To see the rest of the series click here.

Holding up Traffic

 

The story behind the story:

One day my friend Sue Chan and I visited a sheep farm on Women’s Institute business. Before we left they asked us if we would mind helping them move the sheep. It was the best part of my day.

acrylic on canvas

30” x 24”

The story behind the story: Doctor Addie would come out in any weather to see people in their homes. He would tend to the sick, do the chores and cook their dinner.

This is the third instalment in my new series, The Story Behind the Story.  This is a short series of weekly posts, 5 in total, each focusing on one particular painting from my narrative work. To see the rest of the series, click here.

Doctor Addie would come out in any weather to see people in their homes. He would tend to the sick, do the chores and cook their dinner.

The story behind the story: 

My mother grew up on a fruit farm in Beamsville, Ontario and Dr. Addie birthed her.  When he made a house call he did everything that could be done to ensure that his patients would recover from what ailed them.  He was a well loved doctor and a fixture in the community for many years.

acrylic on canvas

24" x 30"

The story behind the story: The train came by every day at 2:15. The house would give a familiar shudder.

This is the second feature in my new series, The Story Behind the Story.  If you missed the first painting in the series you can read the story here. This is a short series of weekly posts, 5 in total, each focusing on one particular painting from my narrative work.  

The train came by every day at 2:15. The house would give a familiar shudder.

The story behind the story: 

My friend, Ellie Stewart originally told me of this. It was her memory of living in the old banana factory at Dublin and Aylmer Streets in Peterborough, Ontario. The banana Factory was originally a bakery and then a crayon factory. It got its name from the odd shape that was necessary to build a building that would accommodate a curve in the railway tracks.  In the 1970s the Banana Factory was inhabited by artists and musicians familiar to the local scene. It was the home of the attic pottery and the original location of Ed’s music workshop. Ellie and her family lived in the second story apartment. The train track was so close to the building that they could see the conductor passing a foot from the window. Their young daughter, Erin, would wave at him and he’d wave back at her.

acrylic on canvas

48" x 60"

 

 

The story behind the story: Whitfield Landing

I would like to introduce The Story Behind the Story.  This will be a short series of weekly posts, 5 in total, each focusing on one particular painting from my narrative work.  

For a number of years I have created paintings based on day to day anecdotes and incidents from communities all over Canada as well as in Ireland where my family originated.  I draw material from true stories that are passed from teller to teller. What interests me most is the telling of the tale or the way a story is perceived and possibly re-interpreted by a teller.   All of my paintings are based on true stories as they were told to me.  

When people look at my work they often ask me where the story came from and is it true?  In each post I will share a painting and give a little background on how I came upon the story.  After all, stories don’t always need to be made up.  There is nothing stranger and more wonderful than life, just the way it happens...

Whitfield Landing

The story behind the story:

One thanksgiving our whole family rounded up as many canoes as we owned and could borrow, piled into them and launched an adventure at Whitfield landing. The intention was to give a cousin, visiting from Ireland, a Canadian thanksgiving experience.  It was a beautiful day.

acrylic on canvas

24" x 30"

 

JoEllen Brydon painting requested by Governor General for Charity Breakfast

A JoEllen Brydon painting was recently auctioned off at an event held by his Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

The breakfast event was a fundraiser for the United Way, part of the Governor General's Work Charitable Campaign.

His Excellency personally thanked JoEllen for her contribution. He joked that he had been up all night cooking for the breakfast.

The event was attended by over 450 people, and was held at the Governor General's residence at Rideau Hall.

 

Governor General David Johnson personally thanked JoEllen Brydon for her contribution

Governor General David Johnson personally thanked JoEllen Brydon for her contribution

The donated painting, "Getting Home", acrylic on panel

The donated painting, "Getting Home", acrylic on panel

His Excellency David Johnston thanked the crowd for attending

His Excellency David Johnston thanked the crowd for attending

Throughout the morning over 450 guests attended the event held at Rideau Hall

Throughout the morning over 450 guests attended the event held at Rideau Hall

Fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, pastries, coffee and juice were on the menu at the Governor General's charity breakfast 

Fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, pastries, coffee and juice were on the menu at the Governor General's charity breakfast 

My Grandmother was a Beekeeper wins at juried show

I'm pleased to announce that My Grandmother was a Beekeeper was chosen as the first place winner in the Acrylic/Oil category at the 2016 TWAC/Canadian National Exhibition Juried Art Show. Thank you to Artworld Fine Art.

my grandmother small file_result.jpg