Jan 15, 1917 The Government is getting into everyone's business

Park Rule: Song birds and nest and eggs of all birds are protected at all times.

Every man passes his life in search for friendship.

The critics were frightened of my grasp of colour.

1916 Spring Sunset Algonquin Park #tt1916

Both Varley and I liked our drink and women

I burnt much of my work but an impressive amount remains

Jim MacDonald introduced me to Thoreau and Emerson

Lismer once remarked, 'Toronto is a good place - to get out of!'

1917 Northern Lights #tt1917

I never studied art, but I briefly attended business college.

Arthur Lismer was mesmerized by the Canadian landscape - so different from England

Someone described me as an artist with limited funds and a drinking problem.

Human figures were elusive to paint. I tried but eventually took it as a sign.

1914 Twisted Maple #tt1914

In the sports pages, chess has equal billing to hockey and baseball.

I was fascinated by Jackson's construction of Terre Sauvage in late 1913

1916 Twilight #tt1916

Early in 1916 I made a trip to the north end of Algonquin Park. That's where I painted the West Wind.

1915 Nocturne #tt1915

Bill Beatty left me the Varsity War Supplement. Destined for use in the privy.

I have tea, and look at my canvases. I look at the finished ones and the blank ones ready to go.

I manage to get my groceries. I checked the directory in the Studio building to see if I have any mail.

For the Germans, it's more straightforward. They are enemies according to the Enemy Alien Registration Act,

To others, the country was a monotonous dreary waste, but for me it was full of undreamed riches.

My aim was not be unique but to express truth and beauty as I saw it.

1917 Dark Waters #tt1917

A good smoke of the pipe and some reading to finish out the evening, there's nothing better.

That an artist needs to be depressed and drunk to do his best is utter myth

Why does a Nation have to define itself by War? Why not by Art?

Happy New Year everyone!

I join the band, playing the violin

If I painted city scenes, I would run out of grey.

Avoid companions that insist on claiming the stern seat in a canoe.

The smell of balsam fir is much preferable to coal smoke and raw sewage

Advice from Bell: 'Practice over the wire the same courtesy and kindness as in personal face-to-face intercourse.'

Park Rule: Netting or snaring of birds is prohibited.

The typical Canadian is materialistic and conventional.

I never truly realized what I had, but others did.

My painting is going well, three canvases about finished.