Monday, September 23, 2013

Angus Burns Wildlife Artist



There is just something about wood – the smell, the feel, the beauty – it’s almost seductive.  Since ancient times it has given us warmth, shelter, and solitude.  It imparts a feeling of things wild and free that live in harmony with their surroundings.  Could there possibly be a better way to portray the images of wild things than through the natural beauty of wood.

If you’ve ever visited the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, you’ve likely seen Freelton artists Angus Burns quietly sitting, creating masterpieces on wood.  Whether it’s a unique living room table, custom pet portrait, or small wall hanging his skill and love of the outdoors manifests itself through every piece of art he creates.

Although Angus always had a flare for drawing, even making his own Christmas cards as a child, it was many years later when a tree, a few cartons of cigarettes, and a trip to Vancouver by a friend conspired to make him realize his full artistic potential.

Working as a cook in a lumber camp after a felled tree put him on the disabled list, a fellow logger who had seen some of his personal sketches, handed him a couple of slabs of wood.  He asked Angus if he could paint some ducks on the wood.  In return he was to receive a couple of cartons of cigarettes.  It seemed like a good way to pass the time and selling the extra cigarettes in camp could put some extra change in his pocket.  Over two months he produced 30 pieces and it seemed like a good arrangement.  That is until a friend returned from a weekend in Vancouver where he had seen some of Angus’s paintings for sale.  Angus was stunned to find that his artwork was selling for three to four hundred dollars each.  Well, needless to say the money he was making off of the cigarettes began to look a little less attractive.  That was in 1978 and he’s never looked back.

Art dealers and prominent retail stores became attracted to Angus unique works and as a result his work has been displayed in galleries such as Kleinburg’s Regal Collection, Bowring’s Canadiana Collection at the Toronto Eaton Center.  Their images and carvings of wolves, deer, moose, and even humming birds adorn the homes of nature lovers around the world, as well as those of the rich and famous.  The likes of hockey greats Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur, comedian Jim Flynn, and singer Michael Burgess have sought out his unique works of art.  Angus even spent some time as resident artist at Canadian Carver, the famous tourist stop just north or Sault Ste. Marie.

Today much of his time is spent producing custom pet portraits for many visitors to the St. Jacobs Market where you will find him year round on Thursday and Saturday.  Thankfully he was located in “Peddlars Village” at the market and was spared from the fire that consumed the main market building on the Labour Day weekend. 

Drop by and say hi; maybe you’ll find that unique Christmas gift for someone special.