The Work & The Artist

 Markham Artist Judith Livingston presents a unique perspective of our Parks. Her subjects are found in National, Provincial, Regional, and Municipal Parklands throughout Ontario. Included in her Exhibitions are Paintings of Woodland Trails, Wetlands, and Waterscapes, from the Carolinian Forests on the Northern Shores of Lake Erie to North of Lake Superior, from the Bruce Peninsula to the Ottawa Valley.

She is a recipient of The Canada 125 Medal by The Government of Canada, The Achievement and Civic Recognition Award by the Town of Markham, is a Member of The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour and a Life Member of The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham. Her paintings have been exhibited across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

 When seized by an idea, I enjoy running with it to see where it takes me, and how the challenge will be met. Whether the results are two or three dimensional, realistic or abstract, humourous or contemplative, aesthetic or confrontational - it is an exciting journey. - Judith Livingston 

  Artist's Background

Judith Livingston was born in Woodstock, Ontario. After graduating from Woodstock Collegiate Institute, she attended London Teachers' College, where she graduated with Honours. That same year she married, and together with her husband, their careers took them to Collingwood, London, then to British Columbia in 1978. Their North Vancouver property was the dividing line between North Vancouver’s urban setting and the untamed forest of British Columbia’s Coastal Mountains. The woodlands, trails and canyons winding up from their property to the higher elevations, inspired her artistic side.

It is at this time her focus returned to the arts. Respected art patron Muriel Olsen, encouraged her to exhibit her art and her first public exhibitions were held in British Columbia: St. David’s Exhibition in West Vancouver (1978); The Canadiana Exhibition in Vancouver (1979); and The Kiwanis Exhibition in North Vancouver (1980).

Returning to London, in 1980, and then to Markham in 1983, provided additional exhibition and study venues for her. In Markham, she immediately became active in the art community, holding executive positions in the Markham Group of Artists from 1983-89. During this period she attended the Ontario College of Art, was elected to The Society of Canadian Artists and The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, serving on The C.S.P.W.C. Executive as National Exhibition Chair.

In 1988 she was introduced to art patron, Kathleen McKay, with whom Group of Seven Artist, Frederick Horsman Varley lived in his later years. This led to an invitation in 1989 to join a Committee, working with the Town of Markham, to bring Frederick Varley back to Unionville. This was the beginning of her involvement with, what was to become, The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham. The Varley Committee, which she chaired, was instrumental in laying the groundwork for this endeavour, and in 1997 The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham was opened to the public. Kathleen McKay's historic house on Main Street Unionville was opened as The Kathleen Gormley McKay Art Centre, an Exhibition Gallery for local and regional artists.

Every fall since 2000, she has exhibited her Parks and Woodlands paintings of Ontario at The McKay. During her 2004 Hiking Trails of Ontario Exhibition, she was honoured by a visit and discussion of her work by The Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson.

 Artist Contact Information

Judith Livingston

99 Miley Drive

Markham - Ontario - L3R 4V2

Phone: 905-415-0403

Email: CanArtScapes@aol.com