Wesley Hubley. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Active mid to late 20th century.

Wesley Hubley, discovered by Chris Huntingdon,  was considered the ‘father’ of Nova Scotia folk art by him. Hubley took part in the first two Folk Art Festivals in Nova Scotia and he also appeared in the NFB film “Folk Art Found Me”. Wesley Hubley made carvings of birds, animals, fish and people. His works were usually painted in ‘as found’ colours and he often used ‘as found materials. His work is considered rare and is much sought after. Hubley is cited in ‘A Life of Its Own’ and ‘A Joyous Vision’*.

*Ref: Anne Sutherland and Zalman Amit. The Sutherland/Amit Collection. Smith Falls, Ont. 1994.

*Ref: Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, A Life of Its Own Chris Huntington and the Resurgence of Nova Scotia Folk Art (1997).

Ref: Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival Society, A Joyous Vision – Contemporary Folk Art in Nova Scotia (1995).

Ref: The Black Sheep Gallery

Cyril Hirtle. Painter. Hirtle’s Beach. Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. Active 1990’s.

Cyril Hirtle was a painter of naive landscapes and seascapes; pictures of the Nova Scotia that he grew up in and where he spent his life. His paintings are imaginative and striking. He is cited in A Joyous vision*.

Cyril Hirtle. With some of his paintings:

cyril-hirtle-with-his-works

A painting of a Fisherman by Cyril Hirtle:

cyril-hirtle-fisherman

Ref: The Upper Canadian Jan/Feb 1993.

*Ref: Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival Society, A Joyous Vision – Contemporary Folk Art in Nova Scotia (1995).

Ref: Blake McKendry, An Illustrated Companion to Canadian Folk Art (1999).

Orran Hiltz. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Decoy carver. Indian Point, Nova Scotia. Active mid 20th century.

Orran Hiltz was a decoy carver. He also was known for his carvings of miniature water fowl; including Mergansers. He is cited in both the Ferguson and Field books.

Ref: Guyette, Decoys of Maritime Canada.(1983).

Ref: Gerald Ferguson, Decoy carvers of Nova Scotia. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. 1984.

Ref: Richard Field. Spirit of Nova Scotia. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Halifax. 1985.

Ref: Kobayashi/Bird, A Compendium of Canadian Folk Artists (1985).

Otis Hatt. Sculptor. Decor carver. Chester Basin, Nova Scotia. Active early 20th century.

Otis Hatt was a decoy carver. He also is known for making miniature ornamental Whistler decoys.

Ref: Guyette, Decoys of Maritime Canada.(1983).

Ref: Gerald Ferguson, Decoy carvers of Nova Scotia. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. 1984.

Ref: Blake McKendry, An Illustrated Companion to Canadian Folk Art (1999).

Sydney Howard. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Albert Bridge, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Active 1940’s – late 20th century.

Sydney Howard began carving in the 1940’s. He carved animals. fish, birds and people. Always in paint and later in his career he signed his work. He carved life-sized figures, often of politicians and R.C.M.P officers for his yard.  Sydney Howard was in the first Lunenburg Folk Festival in 1988.

Ref: Marie Elwood. Folk Art of Nova Scotia. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Halifax. 1976.

Ref: Kobayashi/Bird, A Compendium of Canadian Folk Artists (1985).

Ref: Canadian Art. Spring, 1985.

Ref: Lerner. and Williamson, Art and Architecture in Canada. A Bibliography …to 1981. University of Totonto Press. 1991.

Ref: Anne Sutherland and Zalman Amit. The Sutherland/Amit Collection. Smith Falls, Ont. 1994.