Robert David Symons, Countryman: Artist, Writer, Naturalist, Rancher

A co-publication of the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery and Hagios Press.

R.D. Symons was a cultural giant and this book presents his life and art for a new generation of readers. Featuring an illuminating essay on Symons' life and art practice by esteemed curator and painter Terry Fenton, Countryman also features over thirty exceptional Symons watercolours. As an artist, Symons worked primarily on paper, and frequently in watercolours, drawing upon direct observation and a prodigious visual memory. Home schooled in an artistic family in England, Symons emigrated to Canada at the age of sixteen to work as a cowboy in Southwest Saskatchewan. Increasingly appreciated as an artist, Countryman presents a comprehensive view of one of Western Canada's most gifted painters of watercolours. Countryman portrays an artist and writer who was deeply devoted to the Canadian West throughout his adventurous and well documented life. R.D. Symons greatly influenced many contemporary nature writers, including award-winning Saskatchewan authors, Trevor Herriot and Candace Savage. Trevor Herriot contributes an insightful introduction.

Terry Fenton

Terry Fenton is a painter and writer based in Saskatoon. His landscape and still life paintings are collected in national and international collections. he is in demand as a critic, curator and author of articles and books on Canadian and international artists. He is former Director of the Edmonton Art Gallery, the Leighton Foundation in Calgary, and the Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon. Fenton contributed the cover art and colour plates to the award winning poetry book When Light Falls From The Sun by Allan Safarik (2005). His most recent book is Reta Summers Cowley (2006) from University of Calgary Press which was nominated for the Sasktoon Book Award in 2007.

Website » www.sharecom.ca/fenton