In Memory of John Russell Richmond
Obituary for John Richmond
RICHMOND, John Russell, RCA, 1926 – 2013 Canadian artist, illustrator, muralist, author. Member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, the Ontario Society of Artists, the Arts and Letters Club; and former instructor at the Ontario College of Art & Design. Peacefully, with family at his side, at Caressant Care Nursing Home, Lindsay, on January 17. Formerly of Toronto, Uxbridge, and Anstruther Lake, Ontario, and Ajijic, Mexico, John was well known and highly respected for a vibrant career that included countless exhibitions in Canada and Mexico, huge mural installations in public spaces such as the original Maple Leaf Gardens, the Air Canada Centre, and the Uxbridge Public Library; numerous books, editorials, articles and columns that he illustrated and/or wrote (often in his own fanciful script) such as Gambit, 1958, Around Toronto (Doubleday, 1969), Discover Toronto (Doubleday, 1976), and the whimsical Discover Ontario maps and columns published in Toronto Calendar Magazine in the 70s. John was also a founding member of the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts. He cared deeply about educating and encouraging young artists, and he will be fondly remembered by many former students in Toronto, Uxbridge, and Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, and Mexico. A consummate artist who lived to create, John left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered, and he will be greatly missed by innumerable friends, neighbours, colleagues and family. He is survived by his five children: Leigh-Anne Devonish of Toronto, Victoria Richmond of Lindsay, Stephanie Richmond Edwards (Michael) of Lakefield, Grant Richmond (Charlene) of Toronto and Martin Richmond (Nancy) of Vancouver, as well as grandchildren Jay, Chloe, Zoe, Kelly, Carter, Holly and Cooper, brother Donald Richmond (Betty), and sister Shirley Wiley (Bryce), and numerous nieces and nephews who remember him fondly as Uncle Jack. Predeceased by brother Bill Richmond (Val) and sister Ruth Gray (John). Following John’s wishes, cremation has taken place at Lakefield, Ontario. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. If desired, on-line condolences or donations to ARTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH (www.afcy.ca) would be appreciated and may be made at www.communityalternative.ca or by calling the COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL HOME .
The Maya Goddess of Plenitude and Generosity
The Maya Goddess of Plenitude and Generosity
twirls the strand of a consummate gift from her priests who
wishing to express their gratitude for her teaching
presented a holy offering of
their severed
penises
to make a magnificent skirt sewn by her female courtiers
fringed with beaded symbols patiently crafted with
turquoise and gold
of the male ejaculation
Feather Goddess
The Feather Goddess
with her patriarchal warrior guard
arrogantly watching
a fire dance during which she is
consumed
by the imagined flames
and swirled up
into the cosmos
beyond pain or passion
beyond abject failure or
disappointment
beyond delusion or uncertainty
beyond
the chains of
physicality to an exalted realm
of lasting
spiritual peace
Goddess of Patience
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Ohoyo Osh Chishba was a Six Nations
Goddess, shaman,
mother, Heroin who was watchful and
protective
of all young people seeking the comfort of her strength
her inspired
wisdom as does the young boy who
clings to her
while he peers
anxiously outward at the world and
intense gaze of
curious strangers
|
Tree Goddess
The Tree Goddess dependably combats
threat and anxiety as she attends
to victims
of jungle terror who venerate her loyalty
while some, beyond her reach and influence
will panic in a state of indecision that
erupts
as a flurry of discharged energy like this startled bird
frightened by an approaching
predator while beneath
the disruption
every root quivers in the soil
until
the dark menace has passed
Aleut Goddess
The Aleut Goddess who appeared
when the glaciers retreated
to allow caribou and all wild beasts
and human wanderers
onto ancient American soil
and salmon to replenish the rivers
and the coastal waters of
the immeasurable, uncontrollable Pacific ocean.
She transmits through her strands
of
hair to the brave fisherman
who beseeches her to summon
his strength and bravery for
the perilous challenge of a
wounded whale
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