A.K. Prakash, Impressionism in Canada: A Journey of Rediscovery, Stuttgart, 2015, pages 401 and 403
Internationally trained in the United States and France, Brownell’s work “followed strict Academic standards in the French tradition – drawing, composition, colour harmony, and expression - perfecting the union of content and form in his work.” With a keen eye for compositional balance, Brownell devoted two thirds of the composition to the lush cloud-filled sky of the bright day. The lightness of the rounded clouds hanging above the pastoral landscape references the French tradition of showcasing light atmosphere. Below the sky, two small figures can be seen wading by the river, fishing from the shore. Brownell often favoured depicting figures in a work state, whether baking, creating lace or taking photographs, to highlight the importance of the ritual of work. This universal theme tends to figure prominently in the artist’s body of work and is captured here in “Fishing from the Shore” with subtlety and weightlessness within the bright countryside.
