J. Rory Kirby
Rory’s interest in watercolour painting was sparked some thirty five years ago in Toronto. At that time he set his interest aside, but vowed that this would be his final avocation, when he retired. Since moving to Victoria in 1987 he has been active in The Victoria Men’s Newcomers’ Club, The Victoria Quilter’s Guild and The Saanich Volunteer Services Society. Three years after the death of his wife Isobel in 2005, Rory met Caroline Hunter, whose painting talents re-kindled his desire to resume his interests in watercolour. In January 2013, undaunted by their advancing years, Caroline and Rory married!
The past several years have exposed Rory to a wealth of artistic talent. Rory was invited to join the Victoria Sketch Club in 2011 following the club’s annual Paintout, which that year was held on Hornby Island. He was the Secretary then Treasurer and the Club's website webmaster, co-chaired the re-writing of the Club's Constitution and ByLaws and in 2018 was made an Honorary Member. He is a member of the Oak Bay Art Club, where he introduced the practice of taking close-up photographs during guest artist demonstrations. He edited the pictures, provided a commentary to record what the artist was doing at each stage and the materials being used. The document was then distributed to all club members for future reference. He is an Active Member of the Victoria Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists and was responsible for show publicity materials for three years. He is also a member of the Saanich Peninsular Arts and Crafts and is the Treasurer and Webmaster of the Oak Bay Community Artists Society.
Rory has attended courses with Ann Hunter and Rodger Garbutt and more recently with Tom Lynch and Kiff Holland. He has gained much by attending both indoors and plein air sessions with the Victoria Sketch Club. Although Caroline Hunter claims that she is not a teacher; in fact her talent and patience have been invaluable in increasing Rory’s technique.
Rory has exhibited his paintings in several Annual Victoria Sketch Club Shows and in the Saanich Peninsular Arts and Crafts annual show. Apart from painting on paper he has painted on wooden cradles using a wood sealer followed by Daniel Smith's Ground. In both approaches he then seals the paintings with archival quality spray.
You can see Rory’s paintings at www.mywatercolourefforts.com; his e-mail is jroryk85@gmail.com
November 2015
The past several years have exposed Rory to a wealth of artistic talent. Rory was invited to join the Victoria Sketch Club in 2011 following the club’s annual Paintout, which that year was held on Hornby Island. He was the Secretary then Treasurer and the Club's website webmaster, co-chaired the re-writing of the Club's Constitution and ByLaws and in 2018 was made an Honorary Member. He is a member of the Oak Bay Art Club, where he introduced the practice of taking close-up photographs during guest artist demonstrations. He edited the pictures, provided a commentary to record what the artist was doing at each stage and the materials being used. The document was then distributed to all club members for future reference. He is an Active Member of the Victoria Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists and was responsible for show publicity materials for three years. He is also a member of the Saanich Peninsular Arts and Crafts and is the Treasurer and Webmaster of the Oak Bay Community Artists Society.
Rory has attended courses with Ann Hunter and Rodger Garbutt and more recently with Tom Lynch and Kiff Holland. He has gained much by attending both indoors and plein air sessions with the Victoria Sketch Club. Although Caroline Hunter claims that she is not a teacher; in fact her talent and patience have been invaluable in increasing Rory’s technique.
Rory has exhibited his paintings in several Annual Victoria Sketch Club Shows and in the Saanich Peninsular Arts and Crafts annual show. Apart from painting on paper he has painted on wooden cradles using a wood sealer followed by Daniel Smith's Ground. In both approaches he then seals the paintings with archival quality spray.
You can see Rory’s paintings at www.mywatercolourefforts.com; his e-mail is jroryk85@gmail.com
November 2015