M. A. Yewdale facts for kids

Muriel Agnes Yewdale (born Fraser) was a Canadian artist who lived from 1908 to 2000. She became known for her unique paintings, especially her landscapes. Yewdale started her art journey later in life, proving it's never too late to follow your passion.

The Early Life of M. A. Yewdale

Muriel Agnes Fraser was born in Grand Rapids, Manitoba, in 1908. She grew up in northern Manitoba. Later, she attended a private school in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In 1929, she married Harry Yewdale.

Moving to British Columbia

In 1930, Muriel and Harry moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. About fifteen years later, they moved to Burnaby. This area, surrounded by nature, would later inspire many of her artworks.

Yewdale's Artistic Journey

Muriel Yewdale did not begin painting until she was 48 years old. This shows that you can start a new path at any age! Between 1957 and 1961, she studied at the Vancouver School of Art.

Learning from Master Artists

One of her important teachers was Jack Shadbolt, a famous Canadian artist. Muriel remained good friends with him and his wife, Doris Shadbolt. She continued her education at the University of British Columbia from 1963 to 1965. There, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Facing Life's Challenges

Muriel Yewdale faced sad times in her life. She lost her son in 1972, her husband in 1974, and her daughter in 1989. Despite these difficulties, she continued to create art.

Yewdale's Painting Style

Yewdale's early paintings were sometimes abstract. This means they used shapes, colors, and forms that did not look like real objects. Her home was surrounded by a forest in the 1950s and 1960s. Because of this, her paintings often showed trees and parts of a nearby creek or bog.

Nature's Influence on Her Art

When the forest around her home was cut down for new buildings, she painted that destruction too. Her earlier works tried to show things exactly as they looked. But her later paintings told stories about events, often in a series of artworks.

Unique Painting Techniques

Yewdale used brushstrokes similar to those of the Impressionists. This art style uses small, thin brushstrokes to show how light changes. She also preferred to use colors straight from the tube, without mixing them much on her palette. She loved to paint en plein air, which means painting outdoors. She would give herself three hours to finish each large canvas. Besides landscapes and abstract art, she also painted still-lifes. These are paintings of objects like fruit or flowers.

Beyond Oil Paintings

Muriel Yewdale was a versatile artist. Besides oil paintings, she also created drawings, watercolours, ink art, pastels, mosaics, and sculptures. This shows her wide range of artistic skills.

Exhibiting Her Artwork

Muriel Yewdale's art was not shown very often during her active painting years. These years lasted from the late 1950s to the mid-1970s.

Notable Art Shows

Some of her rare shows included the British Columbia Artists' annual exhibitions. These took place at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1961 and 1966. Her work was also displayed at the local University Women's Club. Most notably, her art was shown at the Ceperly Art Gallery in Burnaby in 1999. This exhibition happened shortly before she passed away.

Legacy Through Family

After her death, Yewdale's paintings went to her grandson, Jase Maxwell. He later exhibited some of her artwork in 2006 in North Vancouver.

Publications About Her Art

An exhibition catalogue about her work was published in 1999. It was called Hidden Forest: The Art of M. A. Yewdale. The Burnaby Art Gallery published this book.