Painting Description

In the fall of 1910 members of the York Association met at the Richmond Hill Hotel to discuss the forming of an Ontario Plowmen’s Association, although it was not until the winter of 1911 that that was accomplished. With the help of a researcher and the librarian at Richmond Hill, as well as some folks who are knowledgeable about streetcars, I was able to piece together this view. I also build a painting like this, using photos from my photo archives that I have cobbled together over the last 40 years. I am so happy that when I was a teenager I read an article in which Norman Rockwell advised an artist to build a “morgue” of photos for future reference. I included a woman riding sidesaddle because I enjoyed that rarely shown aspect. I am reminded of the story of a “proper gentleman” in England in that era, who saw his daughter riding in a dark blue costume rather than the traditional black. “Get off that horse”, he barked. “I will not have my daughter looking like an actress.”

This image is available for Licensing. Contact Cynthia [email protected] for inquiries.