CORNWALL, Ontario – The extensive body of work by the late, Cornwall artist, Kathleen Dancause, will be on exhibit and available for sale this weekend.
Known as Teen, a name her younger sister, who could not pronounce Kathleen, called her, Dancause passed away last November, at the age of 86, leaving an impressive, and extensive collection of artwork behind.
Originally from Toronto, Dancause obtained her Associate of the Ontario College of Art. In 1950 she married, Cornwall lawyer, Hubert Dancause, and together they raised seven children. As well as being a prolific, award-winning artists, she taught at St Lawrence College, Cornwall campus, for 15 years, was a was a founding member of the Cornwall Arts Development Committee, and the Cornwall Regional Art Gallery. Throughout her career, she created and sold hundreds of pieces, including a commissioned piece for the hospital’s centennial celebration in 1997.
Her work consisted of mostly water colours of people, landscapes and seascapes, explained her husband, Hubert. She enjoyed painting at Upper Canada Village and on the coast of Maine, where the family vacationed for over 40 years.
“She was particularly good in drawing and painting people. If you look closely at some of the artwork, you’ll be able to see how she could make a face really look like a face.”
The best part of her work, he said, was her innate ability to paint and draw people in motion. “Little kids throwing snowballs really look as though they are doing it.”
His favourite, he says, is a whimsical, depiction of Santa Clause sleeping, while three children watch him, in amazement. It was one that he would hang in his law office throughout the month of December, every year for many years.
A passion throughout her entire live, Dancause continued to paint up until a year and a half before her passing.
Now, down-sizing from the family home, Hubert will be parting with the bulk of his private collection, over 500 pieces, save a few favourites, which will stay with the family.
A tag sale will be held on Friday (May 24, from 8 to 5) and Saturday (May 25, from 8 to 2) at their home, located at 1605 Joyce Street, in Riverdale. For further information, visit www.theresataylor.com.
