My watercolour efforts
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J. Rory Kirby

Picture
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. In 1987 he moved to Victoria. Three years after the death of his wife  Isobel in 2005, Rory met Caroline Hunter, whose outstanding painting talents re-kindled  his desire to resume his painting interests. 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.  He was the Secretary then Treasurer and, using Weebly, created the  Club's website. He co-chaired the re-writing of the Club's Constitution and By Laws and in 2018 was made an Honorary Member. He was 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, then distributed it to all club members for future  reference. He was an Active Member of the Victoria Chapter of the Federation  of Canadian Artists and was responsible for show publicity materials for three  years.
 
Rory 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 pleine aire 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.

Unfortunately Rory fell three years ago and at the age of 93 is largely confined to the house with little painting activity.

You  can see Rory’s paintings at www.mywatercolourefforts.com; his e-mail is jroryk85@gmail.com

 

November 2021