Aimee Medina
Special to The Lake Report/Niagara Now

The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre has opened an exhibition featuring the paintings of Toronto-based artist Madeleine Greenwald.

“Beautiful Ontario” will be on view in the Joyner Gallery until Sept. 25. The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Sunday, Sept. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m., with health safety protocols in place.

The paintings in the show depict stunning scenery from surrounding areas including Toronto, Prince Edward County, Muskoka and the Niagara region. While travel was put on hold this past year, Greenwald savoured the regional landscape and captured that beauty on canvas.

With Quinacridone Magenta as her favourite colour, the painter uses bright colours in capturing the panorama to evoke the viewer’s feelings.

“I am inspired by travel and the people and places I love,” said Greenwald.

“Painting allows me to relive moments and remember how I felt when I was there. My work is usually inspired by photos from my travels. I am always looking for images that have a feeling. The challenge is in conveying that feeling on the canvas,” she said.

“I don't paint the object. I paint the shapes and shadows that make up the scene and then the subject usually appears. Figuring out the puzzle to create a cohesive piece is what I really enjoy about painting,” she added.

Greenwald studied art at the University of Wisconsin. She took several years’ hiatus from painting to work as a women's health advocate and to practise law. After undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she returned to painting full-time as a way to express her emotions and go back to her true calling.

Greenwald is a member of the North Toronto Group of Artists and the Lawrence Park Art Collective. She has exhibited throughout Toronto including at Arta Gallery, Leslie Grove Gallery, the Yonge Eglinton Centre, Twist Gallery and participated in shows with the Ontario Society of Artists.

Aimee Medina is marketing co-ordinator of the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.