Having recently started researching the history of art in Canada (in the 1600's) I was interested to find that Jesuit priests sent from Europe to help colonize this country's inhabitants were in effect the first 'Canadian' artists. They travelled about the eastern opart of Canada in the main and drew maps of the country showing mountains, rivers and lakes, all of which we have aplentiful supply. In due course they added farm houses and barns, churches once there were some and other builidngs as they were erected. In time the maps became quite plentiful with various buidings and other indications of the settlement of people. The maps moved into being sort of landscapes. 

I am the great-granddaugter of a wonderful artist, Thomas Mower Martin. He immigrated to Canada in 1862 to live on the land as one of the early settlers here. The land was not arable for growing food for the family he would have so he resettled in Toronto in 1863 and reinvented himself as an artists, following his youthful hobby. He raised a large family, was a positive influence in the art community and made many contributions in support of his fellow artists as well as those who loved and collected art.

I have written his biography and sell beautiful prints of several of his wonderful works. I hope you will have a look and see if there is one you would like. You can send a card size one for FREE from my website www.thomasmowermartin.com. Thanks for being here and interested:) Toni