Barry's Bay, 1968

Private Collection, Toronto

Hubert De Santana, 'A Painter’s Life: A.J. Casson looks back on 60 years at the easel', "Canadian Art", Spring 1985, pages 64-69

A.J. Casson’s depictions of rural Ontario show his dedication to the inhabited areas of the province and set him apart from his fellow members of the Group of Seven. Although Casson’s pictures of towns and villages are rarely populated there is a sense of character and warmth present. The homes, stores and churches of the small communities are an inviting destination for the viewer. These landscapes capture moments in time with a strong sense of vitality and personality. Common to Casson’s work throughout his career is a limited colour palette, as demonstrated in Barry’s Bay by his use of light browns and earthy greens repeated throughout the buildings, field and road. In a 1985 interview, the artist recalls this strategy as being present since his early days with the Group of Seven, when “exhibitions were flaming with colour.” He elaborated by stating: “Well, I’ve always thought that if you want to stand out, don’t follow the herd. I was inclined to go into subtle greys, to get away from the gaudy. I painted a few gaudy ones, but they never appealed to me.”