Yesterday we spent a magical afternoon surrounded by art and nature. We drove up to Unionville to visit the Frederick Horsman Varley Gallery. Varley is my favourite painter of the Group of Seven. He was born in Sheffield, England in 1881. He immigrated to Canada in 1912. Six years later Canadian War Records commissioned him to illustrate the war in Europe. When he returned to Canada, in 1920, he became a founding member of the Group of Seven. Throughout his life, he painted numerous landscapes and portraits. He spent his last years living with arts patron Kathleen McKay in her house in Unionville (a short drive north of Toronto).
Vera, c. 1930: I love Varley's colour palette of choice, blue and green. Nature informed much of his work. 
Lake Garibaldi, B.C., 1928
Top: Bust of Varley in the foyer of the F.H. Varley Gallery. Centre: Self portrait 1919. Bottom, photo of Varley painting at the McKay house in Unionville (late 1960s). Varley died in 1969.
One of Varley's easels. I love the barnacle-like layers of paint.
Outside the gallery, you'll find a winding river which is a stunning natural habitat for many animals. Here we saw our first robin of the season.
Ducks were everywhere.
Looking down from a bridge.
Duncan spotted a Canada goose having a drink. He wanted to have a close look, but the goose wanted nothing to do with him.
Soaking up nature.
This is the view from the parking lot of the Varley Gallery. The nature trail seems to stretch on forever. Our senses were stirred by the budding trees and the muddy smell of late winter/early spring.
Sparse tree black bird.
A tree that seems to call out, "climb me young child."
Balancing on a rail.
Marker outside the McKay house on Main Street in Unionville.
Sunroom and back side/back garden at McKay house. This house now serves as a gallery. The garden will be restored to capture the original vision of Kathleen McKay, who was an avid gardener. I'd love to live in a house like this and just garden all the time.
Front view of McKay house.
The Varley Gallery currently is holding an exhibit of the work of Toronto-based artist Brenda Joy Lem. She grew up in Oshawa and now she creates silkscreened images chronicling her often painful childhood memories. I was so taken by her work that I bought this book that features many of the prints on display.
Lem at work in her studio. This image is in the book Brenda Joy Lem Homage to the Heart. To see a couple of her works reproduced, follow this link to the Varley Gallery http://www.city.markham.on.ca/Markham/Attractions/Gallery/Exhibitions/exhibit_brendajoylem.htm
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