July 13, 2007 Jack Lockhart Versatile Master Artist

Look for Jack Lockhart’s Gallery sign at 958 Highway 94 (Corbeil Road) east of Nipissing Manor and drop in for a special art experience.  You will find original paintings, prints, plates, boxes etc. by Jack, and stained glass by Jack’s wife Bea.  You will also find exclusive original Lynn Johnson For Better or For Worse drawings and you can get any framing you want done on site. 

Jack Lockhart at his easel in his Gallery in Corbeil.  D. Mackey photo

Jack was a teacher for 36 years, 31 as a Principal, before retiring 12 years ago.  For the past eight years he has worked as a Supervising Professor and Faculty Advisor in the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University using his years of educational experience to advantage. 

He was painting long before retirement and opened his and his wife’s Gallery at the back of his home many years ago.  He has been painting for over 40 years after getting interested in painting by watching his grandfather, an excellent painter in his own right.  He tells the story of buying a box of paints and showing them to his grandfather who sent him back to get the three primary colours so he could learn to mix the colours himself. 

Jack and Bea have two sons and several grandchildren but now have time to travel, paint and teach as they see fit.  They are both teaching at the Haliburton School of Arts this summer.  Bea is teaching a course on framing. 

Jack Lockhart in his Gallery with some of his work.  D. Mackey photo.

Jack and Bea spend a lot of their artistic energy on commissions.  Jack’s works in private and corporate collections around the world.  He recently fulfilled a contract for close to 300 paintings and prints for the Clarion Resort in North Bay.  His commemorative paintings have been featured at numerous corporate, municipal and sports occasions.  He has worked with Mike Harris, Bobby Orr, Michael Burgers and Lynn Johnson to name a few.  His cards have been widely distributed by individuals and groups.  He has also created 35 limited edition prints which are available.  Jack has had numerous exhibitions and has taught private and group courses for years including at Artsperience and the Canadian Ecology Centre.  He paints primarily in oil, acrylics and egg tempera.  What impressed me the most was the variety of painting styles he has mastered from sharp realism, through impressionism to abstraction – something for everybody’s taste and he and Bea obviously enjoy what they do. 

By the way, look for Jack’s new art instruction book Jack’s Way due out soon giving ideas he has used over the years to make great art. 

Your best bet is to stop in during business hours but it may be a good idea to call first if you are coming any distance because they are sometimes away on painting trips or teaching courses.  The Gallery is open from 9-5 weekdays and 9-5 weekends by appointment.  Call 705-752-1834 – cell 497-4507, fax 705-752-1368.  To look at his work on the computer log on to www.jacklockhart.com .