Doug Taylor

CANADIAN LANDSCAPES AND TORONTO SCENES

Writing books exploring Toronto’s history has not been my only attempt to preserve the city’s past. In the late-1960s, I commenced sketching scenes of Toronto and transferring them onto canvas. In many instances, I painted on location, setting up an easel on the sidewalk or any spot that provided a view of the subject. I employed a similar approach when painting Ontario landscapes. In the 1970s, I left teaching for two years to paint full time. Then, requiring money, I returned to teaching and taught art for several years, as well as history.

Though self-taught, I commenced exhibiting professionally at the Ampersad Gallery on Avenue Road and the Hidden Gallery in Yorkville in the 1970s. Both of these have since closed. As well, I exhibited at a few other galleries throughout the city, including the York Woods Library Gallery and the Mississauga Central Library Gallery. I also mounted a 30-piece exhibition in the main gallery space of the Toronto Dominion Bank Building.

A quote about my art from a promotional pamphlet prepared by a Yorkville (Toronto) art gallery:

Many have compared Doug’s style to the Group of Seven. This is true only in the sense that he paints landscapes in a Canadian Impressionistic manner. Any comparison ends there. Although obviously influenced by Lauren Harris and A. Y. Jackson, Doug has developed his own method of translating the living landscape onto canvas.  The paintings are fresh and bold. He is not afraid to use raw colour, and even black, if the effect achieves the desired mood. Lines flow in obvious rhythms. Other paintings are smooth and flow effortlessly over the canvas.  

Other quotes:

“Intense Canadian landscapes”—Barney McKinley—The Toronto Sun

“Artist with tremendous potential”—Victoria Basca—curator of the Hidden Gallery, Toronto

“Autumn colours abound in Doug Taylor’s Canadian landscapes”—Jill Wright—Toronto Star