Artist: R. Ward Shipman
Medium: Acrylic
Dimensions: 24''x 48''

Bidding on this artwork will take place at the Live Auction event, Friday, April 4. Tickets available at the link at dvsa.ca. Absentee bids can also be placed in advance – request a form at the school office or email bid@dvsa.ca.

About This Piece
From early memories of Algonquin days – soft breezes, hot sun, black flies. One day when I was 9 or 10 years old, Dad took me out fishing on his boat. I remember trying out a watercolour and reading a Zane Gray novel (father’s favorite). Later, I went into the water to swim off the heat. Far from shore in the murky water, I came up for a breath to find a snake looking directly at me inches from my face. Witless, I quickly dove back down into the depths to avoid the reptile. Coming back up at a far distant point, I surface to find the serpent right beside me again. In a total panic, I again resubmerged and swam like crazy to the shore. There, I found Dad leisurely reading. In meltdown mode, I related my tale of terror only to have my father calmly ask this memorable question “Was the body of the snake on the top of the water or below?? If on top, could be poisonous, below not so much.”

To this day, I still ponder on my dad’s child rearing methods.

Biography
Ward Shipman is a Canadian artist whose portfolio of paintings and photography have been widely exhibited and sold in Canada and the states. Shipman’s use of light and skillful manipulation of colour informs the beauty of his paintings.

His focus on creating on art has always been partnered with teaching. This artist has and is an art educator at Ontario’s Sheridan College, Mohawk College, Dundas Valley School of Art and Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. Shipman has also led many art workshops and presentations in Ontario.

His moody landscapes are more about the essence of a place rather than its exact location, and he strives to transport you there with an emotional connection.