By Thomas Smith

Before being known as a painter, Maurice Haycock was a geologist and father sent on a surveying assignment to the arctic. Travelling by boat, dogsled, and foot, Haycock surveyed the Cumberland Sound area of Baffin Island. It was by fate that while returning home in 1927 Maurice Haycock met A. Y. Jackson. Befriending Jackson and kindling an interest in painting, he became a frequent painting partner of Jackson. Jackson remained a close friend fo the family for the rest of his life.

Maurice Haycock visited northern Canada frequently until he passed away in 1988. One of Kathy Hancock’s favourite memories of her and her dad was when he took her to Baffin Island in 1984.

Haycock remembers that when she was a kid, her father would show off all of his paintings that he had completed in the arctic.

“To this day I can remember the smell of the fresh paint and solvents,” said Haycock.

For all of Haycock’s life, she was a lifelong weaver of tapestries. It was not until later in her life when her sister Karole convinced her to give painting a shot. Karole had been taught some painting techniques by her father.

Karole’s daughter, Erika Pittman has also taken up the easel and continues the tradition of painting in the family.

Haycock was struck with how much painting amplified her life.

“The following day, I had to go paint again,” said Haycock. “It has been a life changing thing.”

Her first dive into painting was 27 years ago and she has not stopped since. A dedicated en plein air artist, Haycock loves to immerse herself into the natural landscape of Canada and paint.

She says that the lighting, the weather, and the emotions that she feels when she is looking at nature are easiest to express to another person through painting.

In her pursuits as an artist, Haycock has travelled all across Canada, visiting the east and west coasts, North West Territories, and Yukon. Haycock says that one of her favourite places that she has visited was the southern United States including Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Haycock says that the mountains and dry desert were a humbling experience and reminded her that we are small specks in the sheer scale of our planet. Although opposite in temperature, Haycock says she was struck but how much the deserts reminded her of the arctic.

In March of this year, Haycock was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal for her contributions to art in Canada and locally in her home of the Ottawa Valley.

“It really made an impression on how I see things today,” said Haycock. “It’s seeing the world a little bit through his eyes.”

“Haycock: One Family’s Canvas of Canada” includes works from four artists in the Haycock family, spanning three generations. The works that are in the exhibition showcase 100 collective years of travelling.

Haycock says that this is a unique exhibition and “is an artistic glimpse of Canada over three generations and 80 years, seen through the eyes of one family of landscape artists.”

“I am delighted that Karole got me started,” said Haycock. “It made me realize what an influence that our Dad had on me.”

Haycock is immensely proud to be able to exhibit paintings from so many members of her family, especially her niece.

“There really is a Haycock legacy,” said Haycock.

“Haycock: One Family’s Canvas of Canada” will be on display at the Agnes Jamieson Gallery in Minden until Nov. 15. As part of the Minden Cultural Centre, the exhibition is accessible from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.