Lance Woolaver

My library has only three Maud Lewis books. Maud Lewis: Paintings for Sale and two eBooks, Maud Lewis 1, 2, 3 (a children’s picture book) and this book. This is the longest and the most text heavy of the three. I read this in mid-June, almost exactly a half year distant from Christmas. The author’s father bought a lot of her paintings directly from the artist and that collection is intact. This is a great biography because of the author knowing so much first and second hand and being a local. A lot of interesting details are included about Maud’s life, her neighborhood, the customs and traditions of that time and place. It’s a unique look because of the author’s personal relationship and inside information he haa.

I want to hate her husband but mostly I’m perplexed by him and sad for him as well. I do feel sad for Maud since she led a difficult life and it was much tougher than it had to be. The author quotes her though how if she had a paintbrush in front of her she was okay and she did get to make a lot of paintings, but it’s impossible for me not to see the misery she endured and consider that aspect of her life to be tragic.

Text heavy but there is her artwork and there are several wonderful photos. It’s odd because in the photos from when she was young I don’t see her deformity(ies) that were apparently so obvious even back then. In later photos her physical challenges are visible.

I like the paintings on her Christmas cards and her other artwork that is included in this book. Some of them have never been published elsewhere. Many of the paintings are lovely including one painted on a cake pan.

Once again for me I’m noticing I don’t like the images of the working animals, not because of their style but because the subject matter (and so much of the lifestyle in that time and place) doesn’t appeal to me as a vegan. The traditions followed for Christmas are interesting though and I enjoyed reading about them.

At the back of the book there is a Chronology list. Maud died relatively young after suffering years of deteriorating health.

Highly recommended for fans of art by Maud Lewis and Christmas books. This would make an excellent Christmas present for the right person.

I do want to read the book The Illuminated Life of Maud Lewis. I’ll look for it. I guess there is a Canadian television show with the same title and I’ll look for that too.… (més)