SDG COUNTIES, Ontario - The inspiration for Pierre Giroux's latest art work was never far from his mind's eye - all he had to do was go for a walk in the countryside.
The Cornwall-based artist's work has been enjoyed around the world, but never so much as right here at home. Giroux's paintings adorn more than 60 historic plaques in SDG Counties and the City of Cornwall.
But his latest creations, dubbed 'Trails of Light', are a collection of locally-inspired works that feature landscapes from throughout SDG Counties. The paintings in the collection are hanging at Cline House Gallery in Cornwall until June 15.
"Local forests, wooded areas, nature trails - they all inpired me to step away from my more traditional work and dive into art that is based in nature," said Giroux, who has spent years painting interiors. He has prodcued some of the most beautiful depictions of interiors from Europe one will find hanging in galleries and homes around the world.
But during COVID lockdowns he found himself seeking a new muse.
“I felt a little disconnected after a while,” said Giroux. “I was painting scenes from Europe, and I felt I had to connect with my subject matter more."
Enter the SDG County Forest, and a host of natural settings in our region that has helped reinvigorate the artist behind successful projects including the SDG Historic Tour, as well as the Cornwall Historic Walking Tour. Both of those projects include dozens of plaques that feature Giroux’s paintings and local stories of historical import.
“I’ve really been inspired by the landscapes in the SDG County Forest,” said Giroux.
The new inspirations has resulted in a series of new paintings, based on photographs of places like the SDG County Forest, Cooper Marsh, the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary, as well as Cornwall’s Guindon Park and canal system.
He also enjoys photographing and walking Yellow Island, located within the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne territory.
“You gain such an appreciation for local beauty when you’re walking through local forests and seeing how nature dominates the landscape,” said Giroux. “I’m having fun painting again.”
Trails of Light will be on display at Cline House Gallery until June 15. The gallery is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.
SDG COUNTY FOREST
There are more than 9,000 acres of SDG Counties-owned forests and wetlands in our region. Our County Forests (PDF) are open to public use and enjoyment. Many properties host trails, hunting, trapping, and other recreational uses. You can also find other public forest properties on the South Nation public portal.
The SDG County Forest is managed in partnership with agencies such as South Nation Conservation, local ATV and snowmobile clubs, and organizations like the Friends of the Summerstown Trails. Our management plan includes sustainable timber harvests to improve forest health, encourage wildlife habitat, and generate revenue for forest management opportunities. Our forests are managed according to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.