Newfoundland Tickle, 1999

Wynick/Tuck Gallery, Toronto Private Collection, Toronto

McMichael Canadian Art Collection, “Celebrating Life: The Art of Doris McCarthy,” Toronto, 1999, page 79

McCarthy was born in Calgary, Alberta on July 7, 1910 and travelled Canada with her family from a young age. She studied at the OCA from 1926 until 1930, and was hired by Group of Seven member, Arthur Lismer, for a teaching job at the Toronto Art Gallery. Like Lismer, McCarthy was fascinated with the beauty of Newfoundland. Neighbour and art student, Barbara Joan Sutherland, sometimes accompanied McCarthy to Newfoundland. Fondly remembering one of their last trips together, Sutherland said of McCarthy, “Doris would say grace with gusto, giving thanks for whales and icebergs as well as for food and friends. This spirit makes those who are with her feel more awake and alive.” Sutherland also recalled a trip to Newfoundland with her mentor in 1995, where the then-85-year-old McCarthy spontaneously decided to climb an extremely steep slope so that she could have tea with a friend who lived in the red house at the top of the cliff. She lead an active life of painting and traveling until the very end. “Newfoundland Tickle” was among the last paintings she ever created, and is, fittingly, of a scene from the province which greatly satisfied her sense of adventure.