Dorothy Knowles Obituary, Dorothy Knowles Has Passed Away – Death Cause

Dorothy Knowles Obituary, Death – We regret to inform you that Dorothy Knowles, age 96, died away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She will be greatly missed and remembered with love. Dorothy, a woman of impeccable refinement and artistic integrity, always painted landscapes. Knowles began her lifelong dedication and enthusiasm for the arts in 1948 when she joined in a painting class. Here, she met her future mentor and closest friend, teacher Reta Cowley. She felt a newfound passion for art, and she quickly abandoned her hopes of becoming a lab technician in favor of painting. In the 1960s, Dorothy Knowles took classes taught by American artists and critics such Clement Greenberg (1962), Kenneth Noland (1963), Jules Olitski (1964), Lawrence Alloway (1965), and Michael Steiner (1969) at the Emma Lake Art Camp.

The seminars she attended had a cumulative effect on her practice, shifting her emphasis from the thick impasto favored by Greenberg to the looser approach favored by Noland. Most significantly, she learned the delight of drawing inspiration from the natural world. That’s why, when conditions allowed, she set up her studio outside and painted, sketched, or took photos to use later. In recognition of her extensive career, she has been inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy and awarded the Order of Canada and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

She was always a source of humility and wisdom. Her impact on Canadian art and landscape painting will be celebrated for generations to come. It’s impossible to deny the extraordinary depth of her affinity for and command of the natural world. Her imprint and approach are original and unmistakable. She will be missed dearly and remembered with love. Our deepest condolences go out to the family. In your time of loss, know that you have our deepest sympathies.