Heritage Day is a time to celebrate important contributions to Nova Scotia and our diverse cultural heritage. It’s a wonderful annual opportunity to learn more about our history in the process and to take a mid-winter break.
This year we recognize and honour Maud Lewis- an individual so near and dear to our hearts in Nova Scotia.
Maud painted exuberant scenes that evoke feelings of child-like innocence. Her vibrant paintings are as enduring as the spring time she loved to paint. When looking at her art, you would never be able to guess the difficult life she lived.
Maud Kathleen Dowley was born in the town of Yarmouth on March 7, 1903 to John and Agnes Dowley. Despite suffering from multiple birth defects such as her shoulders and chin pressed into her chest, and her fingers painfully deformed, she produced beautiful colourful oil paintings on primitive surfaces.
While Maud lived in a small one-room home with her beloved husband Everett Lewis in Marshalltown, 90 km south of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia with no electricity or running water – she used particleboard, cardboard and wallpaper as canvases for her art that sold for only a few dollars each.
Maud had a small roadside sign in Marshalltown that read “Paintings for sale”. She was a shy and quiet woman with the sweetest smile. She found great pleasure in others enjoying her paintings and the creative act behind her work.
Maud Lewis passed away in July 1970. Since, her legacy as an inspiring folk artist has continued to grow, and Maud has become a world famous folk artist.
She left behind hundreds of paintings and artifacts that are now icons for the folk-art movement not only in Canada, but globally too. The playful depictions of scenes from rural life in Nova Scotia have inspired a book of her life, a biographical drama film named “Maudie”, and a display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia of her art and restored house.
After the death of Everett Lewis in 1979, the Lewis home began to deteriorate. A group of Digby area citizens were able to fundraise for multiple years but then realized that more resources than they could gather were necessary. The house was sold to the Province of Nova Scotia and turned over to the care of Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
With funds from both the federal Department of Canadian Heritage and private individuals, the house was able to be fully restored and put on permanent display in Halifax at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Though this home is small in stature it is large in character.
To date, her trademark animals, flowers and birds fill the homes panels that many people have the privilege to view.
Maud Lewis’ paintings, despite the adversity in her life, show scenes of simple life, and happiness.
Maud Lewis is more than a deserving Nova Scotia Heritage Day 2019 honouree.
“As long as I’ve got a brush in front of me, I’m alright.” – Maud Lewis
Two Interesting Facts:
- Lewis Maud paintings never went for more than $10 during her lifetime. Now, even a small original painting can sell for up to $2,000.
- The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia drew a record of 15,000 visitors to the exhibit, and its gift shop has sold $100,000 worth of Maud memorabilia.