Bill Brownridge Painting - Young Skaters

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Exceptional Finds | Ancient, Ethno, Fine Art

By Artemis Fine Arts

Mar 20, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-03-20 10:00:00 2025-03-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Finds | Ancient, Ethno, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-finds-ancient-ethno-fine-art-18151
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• Lot Description
  William (Bill) Roy Brownridge (Canadian, 1932-2024). Acrylic on board, ca. 1990s. Artist's signature "Brownridge" lower left. A fabulous painting by widely renowned Canadian artist, Bill Brownridge, depicting two children skating on a frozen lake as the snow falls. Brownridge was born with Spina Bifida which limited his capacity for physical activities, however through art he could express his enthusiasm for winter sports as well as the youthful joy for winter. Bundled up in their winter coats, hats, scarves, and mittens, this pair of skaters races across the ice with delightful exuberance - their ruddy cheeks and the broad smile of the leader say it all. Rendered with Brownridge's characteristic vibrant palette, lush brushstrokes, and virtuosic palette knife work, the painting is beautifully mounted in a custom black and gold tone frame furnished with fabric-covered moldings boasting a lovely shade of blue that complements the composition perfectly. Size (sight view): 23.5" L x 31.625" W (59.7 cm x 80.3 cm) Size (frame): 32" L x 40" W (81.3 cm x 101.6 cm)
  
  About the Artist: "William Roy Brownridge was born in 1932 in the heart of the Western Canadian prairies in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. Born with Spina Bifida, the young Bill was fascinated with hockey. His physical inability to participate stemmed a lifelong interest in creating art that reflected his passion for the sport. Forced to remain seated for long periods, Bill started to draw, and paint. He began to see the possibility of art as a way to escape his immobility, to gain some degree of independence. Bill Brownridge graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Art (now the Alberta College of Art) with a diploma in advertising art. In 1975-76 he won a Canada Council grant to paint and draw the disappearing railroad architecture of the prairies. He was commissioned in 1981 by the Calgary Olympic Development Association to render a series of serigraphs depicting the sporting events of the Olympic Winter Games. These works were used as a part of Calgary's winning presentation (both in print and film) to the International Olympic Committee for the 1988 Olympics.
  
  In his words, 'I am likely more attuned to the effects of light and colour because as a child I had so much time to observe….why my work is often filled with action. I have studied movement all my life.' His childhood experience found expression in 1995, when he wrote the children's book, The Moccasin Goalie, which became a National best-seller. In order to dedicate himself exclusively to painting, he left advertising for good in 1995. Since then he has also become a writer and illustrator of his own series of best-selling children's books. Brownridge has exhibited across the country, and his works are represented in corporate and private collections (including many NHL players and coaches) nationwide." (source: Mayberry Fine Art website)
  
  Artist's Statement: "My inspiration to paint comes from three sources. Perhaps most significantly, as a child I suffered from a physical condition which greatly hindered my ability to walk and run. My condition led to a fascination with all types of action and, as a child of the prairies, it was only natural that my eye would focus on things such as galloping horses and the grace and power of an outdoor hockey game.
  
  In addition, with my home environment of the Canadian prairies cold for six months of the year, I grew up loving the wintertime, both its shining beauty and its starkness.
  
  It was within this environment of action and arctic weather that my brothers — Bob and Don — emerged as my role models, my heroes per se. I was mesmerized, watching as they cut down the ice, swooped in on the puck like a bird of prey, banked away sharply, then glided like a great eagle on an updraft. In later years, Bob even went on to star in the American Hockey League with the New York Rovers – farm team of the NHL’s New York Rangers. My brothers brought to life the power and poetry of hockey. I was a classic worshipper with Bob and Don as my idols.
  
  This feeling was further emphasized when, in 1940 with Canada at war, they both went off to become pilots in the RCAF, with Don ferrying bombers all the way to India. Comparing them to myself left me in awe. They were strong, handsome, leading lives of high adventure in far away places. I was a kid with a gimpy leg sitting on a train-station platform in Saskatchewan. I was dazzled by them! Moreover, their lives gave me the hope and inspiration to dream that my life could also be something special.
  
  Meanwhile, the quiet heroes were my parents, Roy and Vivian. They were always in the corners of my life – out of focus, always there, but overshadowed by my dynamic brothers. It wasn’t until I grew older that I began to truly appreciate their nurturing and support, for it was that which made everything possible for me.
  
  From these familial roots I ventured into the world of art. I graduated from the Alberta College of Art (Calgary, AB., Canada) in 1957. Following that I was a professional graphic designer for some 30 years, finishing my career as Art Director in one the city's top advertising firms: Francis, Williams and Johnson. During that time I received a Canada Council Grant in 1975 to paint the vanishing railroad architecture of the Prairies and that series of original paintings was widely exhibited. As well, in 1981 I received a commission from the Calgary Winter Olympic Development Association to render a series of serigraphs depicting the games’ events. There were later used as part of Calgary's winning bid for the 1988 Winter Olympics.
  
  Over the years, my art has been exhibited in galleries and art venues across the country. Most significantly, I have had exhibitions in Calgary’s famed Glenbow Museum and the National Museum of Science and Technology in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa.
  
  Since 1988 I have had over 15 individual shows, most of which have sold out, and my paintings are presently available in three different Canadian galleries. The U.S. Olympic Centre in Colorado has purchased several pieces. I've been exhibited in Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame. Added to this are the many corporations, NHL hockey teams, NHL players, and hundreds of individuals who collect my art. Furthermore, I've appeared inside and on the front page of daily newspapers across the country, in magazines, and on CBC Radio and CBC TV including Newsworld.
  
  In 1995 I left advertising so I could dedicate myself exclusively to painting. Since then I have also become a writer and illustrator of my own series of best-selling children’s books." (source: artist's website - Heart of Hockey: The Art of Bill Brownridge)
  
  Provenance: private Parker, Colorado, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
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  PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions." #191423

  Condition

  Excellent. Artist's signature "Brownridge" at lower left. Frame has a few scuffs/chips as shown but is otherwise very nice and fit with suspension wire.
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