User talk:Blacksmithkowal

Bookmark and Share

Change text size for the story

Print

Report an error

Dennis Coughlin has paintings in corporate and private collections in every province across Canada as well as in six countries across the world, but now the self-taught artist has a permanent place for one of his paintings in his hometown of Fort Saskatchewan.

Coughlin's painting titled "Old Home on Alberta Lake," was chosen by the city as this year's Art in Public Places Initiative.

"It really is a great honour," said Coughlin prior to a special unveiling ceremony in the Alberta Lottery Fund Art Gallery at the Dow Centennial Centre.

"I have paintings all over the country, all over the world, but for a local thing - it's great."

His oil palette knife painting that now belongs to the city features an old log home Coughlin painted with Alberta Lake in the background, which he painted from memory.

The painting was the perfect selection for a permanent home in Alberta. If Coughlin had the choice of choosing the painting for the city's collection himself "that would be the one for sure."

Coughlin began painting in 1980 while stationed with the Canadian Air Force in Baden Baden, Germany.

Coughlin has a genuine interest in wildlife painting and has donated an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 worth of paintings to Ducks Unlimited. He has been awarded both the Pewter Teal Award and the Bronze Teal Awards by the organization.

Coughlin works from the basement of his Fort Saskatchewan home. He has lived in the city since February 1972.

Mayor Jim Sheasgreen described Coughlin as a "fine, accomplished artist" during the unveiling ceremony, Monday night in the Shell Theatre lobby.

Coughlin's painting will remain in the Alberta Lottery Art Fund Gallery for the entire year. The city will find a permanent home in the city afterward.

The city budgets $500 annually for the Art in Public Places Initiative