Douglas Lawley, born in 1906 in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, was a man of many talents, dedicating his life to education while nurturing a deep passion for painting. His journey from the academic world to the art world is a fascinating tale of commitment to both teaching and creativity.
A Scholarly Beginning
Lawley graduated from Glace Bay High School and pursued higher education at Mount Allison University and McGill University. His academic career led him to become a dedicated teacher, specializing in Latin, a subject he taught for many years. Eventually, he rose to the position of Principal at Westmount High School in Montreal, a role that showcased his leadership and dedication to education. Even after his retirement, Lawley continued to teach Latin at Lower Canada College in Montreal, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to the academic world.
A Painter Emerges
Though Lawley's first love was teaching, painting began to captivate his interest in 1937. He considered pursuing art more seriously, but teaching remained his primary occupation. Despite this, Lawley studied painting under Agnes Lefort in Montreal and Albro Hibbard of the American National Academy. His dedication to the craft grew over the years, leading him to create evocative scenes in and around Montreal.
Mount Royal and the Allure of Horses
Lawley became particularly known for his studies of Mount Royal, often enlivened with images of cab horses. His fascination with horses extended beyond the city; one of his lifelong ambitions was to visit Sable Island, famous for its wild ponies. After extensive research into the ponies' origins, which he traced back to 1518 when Baron de Léry of France left domestic animals on the island, Lawley was granted permission by the Department of Fisheries to visit the island. His journey included flying over the island several times before landing to study the ponies up close. The result was a series of paintings capturing these legendary animals wandering among the island’s towering sand dunes.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Lawley's Sable Island paintings were the centerpiece of his first solo exhibition at the Dominion Gallery in Montreal in April 1962. The following year, his work was exhibited in Cowansville, Quebec, where Fred Pattemore praised his ability to capture the movement of horses. Pattemore noted that Lawley made sensible sacrifices in detail to emphasize the dynamism of the animals, a technique that made his work stand out. In addition to his equine subjects, Lawley also captured the blue haze over Montreal and the charm of Quebec City, often incorporating horses into these urban scenes as well.
Legacy and Collections
Douglas Lawley's work is represented in several prestigious collections, including those of the Royal Trust Company in Montreal and the Glace Bay Miners' Museum Foundation. His paintings can also be found in many private collections and are exhibited at the Dominion Galleries on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal. Despite his success as an artist, Lawley remained rooted in Montreal, where he continued to live and create.
Douglas Lawley's life is a testament to the power of balancing multiple passions. His contributions to both education and art have left a lasting legacy, particularly in the vibrant artistic community of Montreal.
Browse our collection of Canadian paintings for sale at the Canadian Classic Fine Art gallery, The best place to buy a painting online. We provide free shipping anywhere in Canada and the United States. Our Montreal art gallery sells paintings online exclusively and have a 14 days return policy.