COLLECTION BLOG

Tom Cayley’s Still-Life Paintings
A “still-life” is a piece of artwork that depicts inanimate objects, typically (but not always) everyday items arranged by the artist in a specific way. It’s a very old genre

A Department Store Christmas
There are several Canadian department stores that were active during the lifetime of the Watson family, such as Simpson’s, the T. Eaton Company, and the local Goudie’s. While the Watson

Homer’s Art Awards
November 2023 marks the start of Homer Watson House & Gallery’s second annual juried show. Exhibitions using a competitive entry process with the opportunity for prizes are an old practice,

Pumpkin Traditions and Treats
When Doon was still a village and surrounded by farmland, the fall season meant the appearance of pumpkins in some of the nearby fields. The Watsons would have enjoyed pumpkins

Historic Art Catalogues
Catalogues have long since been used by artists for both public and commercial exhibitions, ranging from simple to complex. Some are plain numbered booklets of works in a show, others

Homer Watson and Environmentalism
Did you know that August marks the establishment of numerous environmental movements in Canada? From the signing of the Migratory Bird Convention in 1916, which sought to protect bird species

Summer Vacation in Doon
It is no secret that summertime held a special place in Homer Watson’s heart. As an early environmentalist, Homer was captivated by the scenic nature of the Doon area during

Studio Cleaning
Preventative Conservation: Caring for the Watson Studio Homer Watson’s studio is a unique and important part of Homer Watson House & Gallery. We want the Watson Studio to be preserved

Homer’s Oil Paints
If you’ve visited Homer Watson’s studio, you will have seen the artist’s huge paint-caked palette, brushes, and easel – but stored away in the collection is a set of Homer’s