What Would Tom Do?

Given the generous opportunity by Ben Woolfitt to create a mural for the east wall of what was the Woolfitts building and then, given the current political and environmental climate, I felt strongly that it is now or never to honour my late great-granduncle — the iconic Canadian painter, TOM THOMSON.

Always my guiding light, he lit the way. I learned at a very, very young age, what art LOOKED like and most importantly, FELT like. Though not just any art — GREAT art. He set a very high bar. It took a long time to find my own truthful yet rather strange creative voice! We did have three very big things in common however, other than family: our proud Canadian roots, our love of nature and our extreme need to express ourselves through paint and brush. Tom experienced nature in the deepest recesses of his soul and painted his brilliant expressionist vision of this beloved land of ours in an all too short five years before his untimely death.

I often find myself wistfully contemplating how his art may have transformed, given the time. What would he think of climate change? How would he feel with an errant American President threatening his sublime Canada? Finally, I wondered: “What would Tom do?” At that moment, a clear vision of Tom appeared in my mind. There he stood, in an unfurnished room, pensively gazing out the North facing window toward a desolate barren landscape. Larger than life, his back firmly planted to the south. Throughout the room, colourful plant life is growing tall and strong in large glass test tubes.

Of course!! — THIS is what Tom would do!! — Make something from nothing. Begin again. I imagine Tom would create a ‘a gift of life’ to inspire future creators. Not only for Canada but also reaching far beyond our borders — the gift of organic regeneration throughout the world.

Now, the big question is: What will WE do?

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