There are advantages to remaining free, especially as an artist with little to no earnings.

1914 Autumn Woods Algonquin Park #tt1914

I try to be completely oblivious to the city. I roam Rosedale Ravine as if it were the North.

I was keenly interested in the work of Van Gogh

The pressure to enlist is always there.

I need to get the feel as well as the look of country.

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

During the Winter of 1914-15 I shared a studio with Franklin Carmichael. That's when I painted Northern River.

Jimmy MacDonald had the messiest desk at Grip. If you lost something you looked for under his mess.

Feb 11, 1917 TORONTO GLOBE: NO EDITION TODAY

I hate authority being imposed on me

Study the subject up close first before painting from afar

1914 Autumn Woods Algonquin Park #tt1914

I have self-doubts , but I am grateful for Dr. MacCallum's unwavering faith in my work.

When in Algonquin Park I lived with the Frasers as one of the family

Mystery is not the same a misunderstanding.

People refused to believe I was painting real trees. Finally, Jackson had to say 'Yes, what Tom is painting is really there'

It is better to be true to yourself than be a groomed puppet of insincerity and falsehood

1913 A Northern Lake, Spring #tt1913

Art is deeper than steam, electricity, balloons and astronomy

I embrace solitude

There's talk of a coal shortage this month. The trains that bring it up from the States might stop running because of strikes.

1914 Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park #tt1914

After Seattle I avoided any serious romantic involvement.

I wanted to be a sailor or enlist in the Boer War but my father wouldn't let me go.

I felt like a fraud when I started painting on canvas. In some ways, I still do

Because of my Uncle Brodie I see thousands of things on the trails that others miss.

Harris has transcendental tendencies. That was apparent from his painting and I learned to treat subjects simply.

It's hard to be a radical when you have a family to support. Better to be single and alone.

Be humble, be healthy, be willing to be taught.

It's hard to be a radical when you have a family to support. Better to be single and alone.

Follow the Journal of My Last Spring ttlastspring.com

1916 Summer Clouds #upclose No. 1 #tt1916

1916 Little Cauchon Lake #tt1916

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

1913 White Caps, Smoke Lake #tt1913

Authenticity is dirty, gritty, uncomfortable but the result is exhiliarating.

1916 Pointer Boats #upclose 1 #tt1916

Painting unveiled at last night's members dinner at the Arts and Letters Club

Torontonians relieved that it is not cold - just windy.