Flora Macdonald Spencer

Scottish descended but Canadian born Evan Macdonald began his art training in Canada and continued it in England, and while hoping to make his career in England he subsequently had to return to Canada. He was a war artist during the Second Word War, and later a professional portrait painter. He also chronicled the destruction of Guelph’s many historic buildings during the 50s and 60s in numerous paintings.

A Painter’s Life is a relatively modest but attractively produced book written by the artist’s daughter, herself an art teacher. The artist comes across as a realistic and unpretentious man with a sense of humour, and this could also be a description of his work. The book is illustrate in colour throughout with examples of Macdonald’s work, 58 plates in total, however the images are not only disappointingly small, few being larger than a small postcard, but are printed on an off white stock with the result that they appear dull and muted in colour. The text is supported with ample notes, and includes a chronology, a list of exhibitions, bibliography and citation and convocation address for the occasion of his honorary doctorate.… (plus d'informations)