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. 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
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