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Carl Halchuck… continued from page 32
old barn on a crisp winter’s day while he, his wife and
three children were picnicking near South March. It
turned out to be a day of sliding down hills, roasting hotdogs,
warming up hot chocolate over an open fire and
ending with a little excitement they would rather not
have had. Carl’s daughter fell down a well but luckily was
saved by the quick actions of her brother.
Their summer trips to Maine produced his most
popular painting to date, “Keeper’s House,” which
speaks of quiet unspoiled nature, rocky cliffs and boats at
sea. And so the story goes that this painting is of an actual
house on Monhegan Island, which is situated near a
small fishing village where pirates roamed in the 18th
and 19th centuries and no cars are permitted in present
day. Carl and his family enjoyed many summers there,
renting a house on the edge of the woods five minutes to
the rocky shore. Carl describes the allure of the house as
“brilliant white highlights on southern surfaces… the
varying roof angles… the positions of the two old boats…
led me into this scene.”
Each day he would set up on the grass near the
house, and each day he and his son would go about interpreting
the scene in front of them. On one particularly
breezy afternoon a woman came to speak to them. She
lived across the way and was curious about their painting,
having seen them set up there every day for a week. They
chatted and before leaving, she asked Carl if he knew
who Andrew Wyeth was. When Carl replied no, she said,
Where you can see his work
A collection of Carl’s work is permanently on display
and for sale at The Spa Kanata Day Retreat, 26
Castlefrank Road. A natural curiosity led him to a
chance meeting with Shane Cohen, the owner of and
architect behind the award-winning transformation of
the old building into a luxurious day spa. Shane
reflects on their meeting and subsequent friendship: It
was like “two souls meeting along the road and having
something in common to talk about.” Shane needed
artwork for his walls and
decided to “give this wonderful
man an opportunity
to sell some work.”
A percentage of the
proceeds go to the
Palliative Research Team,
which so compassionately
assisted Ann and Carl in
their final days together
and has helped guide Carl
through the terrible sadness
and loneliness that have followed. All donations
are made in Ann’s memory.
For a more in-depth biography of Carl Halchuk,
visit geocities.com/carlhalchuk. For information on
The Spa, visit www.thesparetreat.ca.
Due West Magazine • Page 34 • Summer 2008
“Because you paint just like him.” Carl later discovered that
Mr. Wyeth’s art is unmistakably similar to his own in subject,
composition and realism. He has since become a great
admirer of Mr. Wyeth’s and hopes one day to meet him.
THE ARTIST MeetS the master
A long admirer of Robert Bateman, Carl had a chance to
chat with him at Koyman’s last December. So humble a man
is Carl that it took Bateman to ask what Carl’s interest was in
art before Carl told him he was an artist and painted in watercolours.
When Carl handed Bateman his business card with
“Keeper’s House” embossed on it, Bateman was clearly
impressed. A conversation about technique and mediums
followed, winding up with Bateman recommending that Carl
use acrylics. “You’re pretty good, you should try acrylics,
you’ll find them a lot easier.” Carl promised to do so. Upon
waving goodbye on his way out, Bateman replied: “You’re
good, you know.”
That meeting has stayed with Carl, and he’s very grateful
for Bateman’s kind and encouraging words. He plans to follow
through with some works in acrylics.
the future
It has been a rough few years and Carl is in a place not
many of us would envy. He has not painted since Ann’s passing,
and the nativity scene that was set up in his home that
Christmas before she died is still on display — he can’t bring
himself to take it down. The cruel reality, however, is that life
does go on and, thankfully, Carl has more opportunities than
most to fill that life with meaning. He is surrounded by his
loving and supportive children and grandchildren, and he
has a talent just waiting to be called back into play. His art is
a companion that has been at his side his whole life, a witness
to his love of nature and architecture, and a medium
through which he can trace his more memorable adventures.
His art has been his means of expressing joy and love, and
I’m hoping it will help him find meaning in the rest of his
life. I, for one, can’t wait to see what he will paint next.