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RICH THISTLE STUDIO - Bio of Canadian Artist Rich Thistle
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RICH THISTLE is a multi-disciplined, Canadian, visual artist respected for his aviation art, watercolor and acrylic landscape paintings of Canada's lake country, automotive art and portraits. His images extend to other subjects, including horses, tractors, sailboats and canoes. He also creates original, stained glass work. His images are published as limited edition litho and Giclée prints, posters and collector plates. Rich also designs and creates furniture, pottery, whips, knives and works in leather. He spent thirty years as a visual art educator and consultant while developing a full-time career in art. Rich studied at the Ontario College of Art & Design, earned a BA (Visual Art Major) from the University of Western Ontario and is a graduate of Stratford Teachers' College. His original paintings are in the collections of the Canadian War Museum, Jersey Museum in the Channel Islands, HRH Prince Charles, 431 (AD) Squadron Snowbirds, Canadian Forces Base Greenwood, Bombardier/Canadair and numerous other corporate, military, public and private collections.
Rich has been profiled on national television and radio and his images appear on the covers of Canadian, American and British aviation books, magazines and in television documentaries. One of his paintings is depicted in bronze in the Royal Canadian Mint's Canada Remembers medallion set commemorating the 50th anniversary of D-Day.
In early 2000, Rich was commissioned to create a painting celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Snowbirds, Canada's military aerobatic display Team. The painting Flying the Flag was published by the Snowbirds as a limited-edition print with artist proofs personally co-signed by the entire 24 member Team. Since then Rich Thistle Studio has also released Double Diamond Radical Twins, co-signed by Maj. Bob Painchaud, Commanding Officer/Team Lead 431 (AD) Sqn. Snowbirds 1999-2000-2001. Both these Snowbirds' aviation prints are licenced by the Department of National Defence Intellectual Properties Director with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Team's reunion fund.
Over the years Rich has given numerous, slide-illustrated presentations, featuring his paintings and his career as an artist with particular focus on the Canadian history behind his many aviation images, to service clubs, historical and community clubs, aviation associations and veterans groups. Rich has created commemorative, aviation posters for veterans' associations and various annual or special aviation events. He has written a number of articles about the aviation history represented in his paintings for the American magazine Aviation History and 33 monthly columns for Canadian Flight, the national publication of COPA, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. Read Rich's articles HERE.
Rich and his wife Jay owned and operated Gallery 164, a retail art gallery, in their home town of Stratford, Ontario before re-locating to cottage country in 1999. Gallery 164 featured all of Rich's original work and his reproductions as well as a collection of original sculpture, jewellery and theatrical masks created by some of Stratford's talented artists. Visitors are now welcome by appointment to Rich's studio/gallery located in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, north of Toronto. Collectors can view and purchase original paintings and a full selection of limited-edition litho prints and posters, order a Giclée print or discuss a commission for a painting.
YOUR CORPORATE IMAGE
Feature your AIRCRAFT, SAILBOAT, CAR, TRUCK or MOTORCYCLE in a limited edition print or fine art poster by Rich Thistle. Make a corporate statement your clients can't ignore. A Thistle reproduction makes a prestigious corporate gift and an effective promotional tool. Enjoy ownership of the original painting, the corporate benefits of the reproductions and a tax deduction. CONTACT US to discuss your ideas.
STRATFORD PLACE PROJECT
An exciting public art installation The Heart of Stratford completed in Nov. 1998, includes 23 original acrylic paintings by Rich Thistle. These works, an exciting tribute to historic and current Stratford, are permanently mounted across the front of Stratford Place, a commercial/apartment complex in the heart of downtown Stratford Ontario. Take some time to view these widely-acclaimed images and read a little bit of history about Rich's hometown. All images are now available as GICLÉE PRINTS.
RICH'S RESTLESS CREATIVITY
Over the years, Rich's urge to create has led him down various side paths, seeking an expansion of his skills in traditional crafts and a deeper understanding of materials and processes. For several years he worked in earthenware and stoneware, making functional pottery and sculptural art in clay. His interest in Canadian naval history led to the building of two highly-detailed, scratch-built models of Canadian WW II warships, HMCS Haida and HMCS Sackville. He has spent time designing and making jewellery in non-precious materials (clay, leather and wire) based on ancient Celtic designs. Over the years Rich has worked in leather, creating garments, luggage, belts, knife sheaths and whips. He also enjoys designing and building furniture in his home workshop.
The contemplative and visual oriental art of bonsai appeals to him on many levels. He's a tree guy, painting as well as propagating and planting hundreds of them over the years. Rich is an amateur architect having designed and built two personal residences, and the major renovation design of a third, including models and working, blue prints. An ongoing interest has been exploring the world of custom, knife making, designing and creating knives from scratch using the stock-removal method. Other interests include customizing, petting and playing with his vehicles, photography and playing his guitars.
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| fifteen-year-old Norway spruce bonsai, collected from nature, with hand-made stoneware pot and wood display table |
Celtic-style jewellery, hand-made stoneware beads, non-precious wire and leather |
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| stoneware pottery based on historical Ontario designs |
second Thistle-designed residence, Franklin Dr., Stratford |
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| whips hand made using traditional 19th century methods |
hand-made hunting knife, O-1 steel, brass, deer bone handle with custom cowhide and deer skin sheath |
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| scratch-built model of HMCS Haida, Canadian Tribal Class destroyer |
Luan mahogany lighted wall unit
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SUMMER VINE by Rich Thistle©
stained glass window installation (Artist's Collection)
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TREE OF LIFE by Rich Thistle©
stained glass panel used as the front of a light box (lamp) situated on the mantle of a corner fireplace
40" x 26" (Artist's Collection)
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MAGAZINE COVERS
- 2003 (Sept) Tough & Ready; the Memphis Belle AVIATION HISTORY magazine, Leesburg VA
- 1996 (Nov) Black Lynx Victory AVIATION HISTORY magazine, Leesburg VA
- 1995 (July) Final Victory AVIATION HISTORY magazine, Leesburg VA
- 1993 (July) Pursuit of the Luciana AIRFORCE magazine, Ottawa ON
- 1992 (Mar) Hornets over the Gulf AIRFORCE magazine, Ottawa ON
- 1991 (Apr) Where There's Smoke AIRFORCE magazine, Ottawa ON
- 1990 (Sept) We Flew with the Heroic Few AIRFORCE magazine, Ottawa ON
PUBLICATIONS
- 1999 (May) Feature article; Billy Bishop: Lone Wolf at Dawn AVIATION HISTORY magazine
- 1995-98 thirty-three monthly articles; Aviation Images, COPA CANADIAN FLIGHT national newspaper
- 1998 (Jan) Feature article; The Avro Arrow; Canada's Supersonic Fighter Fiasco AVIATION HISTORY magazine
- 1997 (Nov) Art of Flight article; George Beurling: Fox in the Henhouse AVIATION HISTORY magazine
- 1995 (Jan) Art of Flight article; Ken Boomer: Victory Over Kiska AVIATION HISTORY magazine
- 1995 (May) Art of Flight article; Into the Blue AVIATION HISTORY magazine
1994 (Jan) Art of Flight article; David Hornell; Press on Regardless AVIATION HISTORY magazine
BOOK COVERS
- Nickel on the Grass; Reflections of a U.S. Air Force Pilot
Author: Colonel Philip W. "Hands" Handley 2006 ©
Published By iUniverse Books Inc.USA ISBN# 0-595-39735-2
Image used: Rhino Charge BY Rich Thistle ©
- The Tunnel King;
The True Story of Wally Floody and the Great Escape
By Barbara Hehner 2004 ©
Published by Harper Collins Publishers, Canada ISBN 0006394779
Image used: In the Balance By Rich Thistle ©
- "The Digby Diary; A History of RAF Digby in Lincolnshire 1917 - 1953"
Author: John Rennison 2003 ©
Published by Aspect Publishing, England ISBN 0-9514047-3-3
Image used: Dieppe Dawn By Rich Thistle ©
- War on our Doorstep; The Unknown Campaign on North America's West Coast
Author: Brendan Coyle 2003 ©
Published by Heritage House, Canada ISBN 1-894384-46-6
Image used: "Victory Over Kiska" By Rich Thistle ©
DOCUMENTARY FILMS: original artwork provided for use in film)
- A Hero To Me 2003 Ballinran Productions ©, Cilla Productions with Global Television & TFO-TV Ontario, the story of Canadian WW1 flying ace Billy Bishop as told by his granddaughter, journalist & television broadcaster, Diana Bishop
NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE COVERAGE: 1981 TO PRESENT
- The Beacon Herald, Stratford ON
- The London Free Press
- The Cambridge Times
- Neighbourhood News Magazine (Windsor, Riverside)
- Scene
- Where / Toronto
- Insight on Collectibles
- Flightlines
- Canadian Coin News
- The St. Mary's Journal-Argus
- Canadian Collectibles
- Legion Magazine
- The Mitchell Advocate
- Esso Aviation Flightlines
- Today's Seniors
- La Salle Silhouette
- The Independent Free Press / Halton Hills Community
- Jersey Evening Post, Jersey, Channel Islands
- The Canadian Statesman & The Clarington / Courtice Independent
- Comox Valley Echo
- The Harriston Review
- The Wasaga Sun
- Wasaga Connection
- Grand Forks Herald "Yesteryears" Insert
- Stratford City Gazette / Perth Weekender
EXHIBITIONS
- 2001 (June) Recent work, Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, annual juried studio tour weekend
- 1999 (Oct) Solo Exhibition Recent Work, Gallery 164, Stratford ON (1997,1994, 1993,1992, 1991)
- 1998 (Nov - Mar.1999) Group Exhibition, The Sporting Life, Gallery Stratford, Stratford ON
- 1998 (Oct) Juried art exhibition & auction, Kids Get Cancer Too, John Labatt Gallery UWO, London ON
- 1995 (Sept) Solo Exhibition, Aviation Art, Jersey Museum, St. Helier, Jersey Island, Channel Islands
- 1995 (June) Solo Exhibition, Aviation Art, Stratford and District Remembers World War II event
- 1994 (Sept) Solo Exhibition, Guest Artist, Canadian Mental Health Assoc. Art Auction, Stratford ON
- 1993 (May) Juried Exhibition, Artflight, National Aviation Museum, Ottawa ON
- 1992 (Aug) Invitational Exhibition, Bayfield Marine Art Show, Bayfield ON
- 1991 (Sept) Invitational Exhibition, Ontario Place Toronto Dockside Show, Toronto ON
- 1991 (Aug) Juried Exhibition, Artflight, National Aviation Museum, Ottawa ON
- 1991 (June) Solo Exhibition, Aviation Art, Traditions Gallery, Alliston ON
- 1990 (May) Invitational Exhibition, 11th Anniversary Show, Artisan's Alley, London ON
- 1989 (Nov) Solo Exhibition, Aviation Art, Decher Art Gallery, London ON
- 1989 (June) Invitational Exhibition, Inaugural Show, National Aviation Museum, Ottawa ON
- 1986 (Jan) Juried Exhibition, Annual Western Ontario Exhibition, London ON Regional Art Gallery
- 1985 (June) Solo Exhibition, Shorelines, Gallery 96, Stratford ON
- 1983 (Dec) Invitational Group Show, Gallery 96/Gallery Stratford, Stratford ON
- 1981 (May) Solo Exhibition, Recent Drawings, Gallery 96, Stratford ON
- 1964 - 1985 Various juried and open exhibitions, Gallery/Stratford (originally The Rothmans Gallery) Stratford ON
MEDIA PROFILES AND INTERVIEWS
- CBC Ontario Morning, October 1996, re: Rich's aviation art career
- CKCO TV, Kitchener SUNDAY AM, April 1995, re: Rich's painting Beacons of Liberty commissioned by the Liberation Anniversary Committee and donated to the people of Jersey, Channel Islands during a trip to the Island of Jersey with three former Canadian fighter pilots and their families in September 1995
- CTV National SUNDAY EDITION with MIKE DUFFY Jan.1995 (re: Rich's aviation art career)
- CKCO TV, Kitchener SUNDAY AM July 1994 (re: Rich's aviation art career)
- CBC TV PROFILE SUNDAY ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT January, 1994 re: The Aviation Art of Rich Thistle
- CKCO TV, Kitchener SUNDAY AM 1990 re: Rich's aviation art career
- Windsor CABLE TV March 1990, re: interview to announce a "meet-the-artist event" and the launch of Rich's commemorative Battle of Britain 50th anniversary poster at the Bergeron Gallery in Windsor
- CBC Art Report, November 1989, re: solo aviation exhibition at Decher Gallery, London ON
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