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Philip Craig Muskoka From The Water Exhibition and sale of new paintings

Philip Craig Muskoka From The Water

"During my recent visit to Lake Muskoka for a project, I was struck by a common misconception: that everything worth saying about the Canadian landscape has already been said. I believe this perspective is both limiting and incorrect. As I marvelled at the wonders of this glorious place, I felt an overwhelming sense of inspiration, revealing so much that remains to be explored–at least from my own vantage point.

This realization ignited a sense of mission within me, coupled with the painting skills I have honed over many years. I sought to interpret the strong and beautiful landscapes of islands, towering pines, and rugged rocky shores that seem untouched by the modern world. Each tree on Old Woman Island, for instance, possesses its own unique character, standing proudly on its small island, distinct from all the others.

My challenge was to give shape to the story of this land, interpreting it through light, shade, and colour to present a fresh perspective. I am thrilled to share that I have made significant strides in this collection of paintings, even after years of working as a professional artist. I now feel empowered to let my intuition guide the direction.

As part of my creative process, I have produced small studies to capture the life and immediacy each composition requires before translating them onto larger canvases. The journey of working on this collection has been interconnected; each painting informs the next. This endeavour is, at times, complex and elusive, encompassing thoughts that linger day and night until a sense of near success is achieved. Like all forms of art, it is a continuous pursuit-never quite finished and always inviting another attempt.

I invite you to join me in exploring this collection, where each piece reflects my ongoing dialogue with the landscape and my evolving artistic vision."

–Philip Craig

October, 2025

Old Woman Island, 2025 oil on canvas, 48” x 60”

Eight Tree Island, 2025 oil on canvas, 48” x 60”

Muskoka From the Water

I was fortunate to be guided around Lake Muskoka by a kind patron and accompanied by my wife Diane and my friend and art dealer Alan Loch to get a “from the water” view of the stunning bays and islands so abundant. The importance of each view and tree was impressed on me and really helped give character to each composition I gleaned from poring over all that was gathered.

Please use this icon to navigate back to the map while exploring the catalogue

Squirrel Island →

Birch Island →

Stonewall Island →

← Dudley Bay

← Wallis Cut

Old Woman Island →

← Fairholm Island

← The Brothers

Wallis Cut, 2025 oil on canvas, 40” x 48”

A little about my technique:

I work in oil on canvas mostly, but for the odd sketch on wood. Generally, I will produce a number of studies on small format to establish the life and immediacy. From this I choose which one will make a good larger painting. I draw with pencil, then ink, followed by a good coat of thin paint as a ground, generally an opposite colour to what the tone of the finished piece will be. I then apply the next coat, which is an application of brush strokes with thicker paint. When this is dry, I apply a coat of a thin glaze to tint the layer. Again, I apply the thicker paint strokes, highlighting different features in the composition, again the coat of glaze and on and on until the finished painting emerges. This technique has evolved for me over many decades and will continue to evolve until I can no longer hold a brush.