I just realized this article slipped by, without me including it on the blog. - N.M.
Artist's work lives on in tribute
The Brampton Guardian
Thursday October 18 2007
TINA DEPKO
BRAMPTON - There are many people who probably never had the chance to meet the wonderful Bridget Doughty, but they have likely seen one of her pieces of art.
Doughty was one of the original members of Visual Arts Brampton. Throughout the past two decades, her works have been included in many of the group's art shows. She was known among fellow artists for her variety of subjects, particularly Brampton landscapes, as well as for her mastery in a number of different artistic media, from pastels to coloured pencil.
Doughty passed away on Jan. 24, 2007 at age 79. A show called Tribute to Bridget Doughty honouring her extensive output is on now at Artway in Shoppers World until Oct. 26.
"The show is a nice cross-section of works showing who she was," explained Keith Moreau, president of VAB. "Everything she did was so beautiful and exquisite."
The show includes more than 30 pieces by the local artist. They were selected from a vast collection that is currently under the care of Frances DeGrace, Doughty's daughter.
"I helped hang the show and it was really emotional when we looked at the finished display," DeGrace said. "She was such a prolific artist. It was so great to see all her pieces on display."
Doughty came into art later in life, but DeGrace said her mother was always artistic.
"She'd make clothes, get together with other women to do lots of crocheting and she would paint birdhouses, which were always the best in the neighbourhood," recalled DeGrace, who was one of six children in the family. "She also helped us with drawing and other art assignments, so we got really good marks in school because of her."
When Doughty finally found time to paint during her later years, the family was not surprised, according to DeGrace.
"It was such a pleasure to see how much happiness she got from painting," DeGrace said. "It was also good for her because it boosted her confidence. She was very humble about her artwork, so when people said they liked it, she was flattered."
Two years ago, in an interview with The Guardian, Doughty recalled receiving an easel, brushes and a set of oil paints in 1979 from her eldest son, Simon.
"I was so happy," she told the paper in 2005. "I started painting and I didn't stop."
The family is planning to donate Doughty's collection to a local gallery to make her artwork available for future generations of art lovers.
For information, contact Visual Arts Brampton at 905-453-9142 or visit www.visualartsbrampton.com.
