Painting Victoria is a loving tribute to a storied city from one of its most dedicated living artists, Robert Amos, and makes a wonderful gift for enthusiastic locals and new visitors alike. When he first came to Victoria in 1974, local artist and art historian Robert Amos was enchanted. In Painting Victoria , he collects decades of paintings done almost entirely on location into a sweeping artistic love letter that spans fifty years. Painting Victoria roves from the sparkling waters of Cadboro Bay to the industrial relics of the Albion Iron Works, with stops among the boats of the Inner Harbour, the neon lights of Chinatown, and the tranquil paths of Japanese Gardens. Inspired by the local painters and printmakers that came before him, Amos paints and sketches Victoria’s waterways and boats, famous gardens, breathtaking ocean and mountain views, heritage buildings, and unsung corners in a whimsical style and with a keen eye for the unique character of the city. Featuring paintings from numerous art collections, including the City of Victoria, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and the University of Victoria, and the artist's personal collection, join the Victoria Times Colonist ’s art columnist of thirty years in a journey across the city. From the riotous colours of a summer parade, to captivating snapshots of the fireworks at Butchart Gardens, to quiet quotidian scenes at the Carr House, discover Victoria through an artist's eyes. Robert Amos has published eight books on art, including a series of five biographical collections on the life and work of BC artist E. J. Hughes. He was the arts columnist for Victoria’s Times Colonist newspaper for more than thirty years. Amos was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1995 and is an Honorary Citizen of Victoria. He lives in Oak Bay, British Columbia with his wife, artist Sarah Amos. INTRODUCTION I arrived in Victoria in 1974. The unexpected beauty of the place—awesome mountains, sparkling waterfront, fascinating architecture—immediately captivated me. Having completed my basic art training and wondering what to do with my life, I came up with the idea to paint Victoria. In that way, my creations would not be just a host of unconnected ideas but would form a cumulative portrait of this wonderful place. Half a century later, this book is the result. There are many artists who inspired me. Key among them are the Japanese printmakers Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Hasui, and the painters J. M. Turner, Edward Hopper, and E. J. Hughes. Their way of working encouraged me to paint what was in front of me and let history take care of the rest. Because my work is, first and foremost, of local interest, I did not pursue gallery representation. As it is unashamedly old-fashioned, I never bothered to try for government grants. my goal has been to create paintings which people will like, and which will become part of the life of the community. It is gratifying when my artworks take their place in people's homes, and I like to see them hung in public spaces—schools, churches, hospitals, hotels, and a wide variety of shops and businesses. As illustrations in books, and as cards and prints, these images have made their way out into the world again and again. Most of the paintings in this book were done on location, and I think they reflect the pleasure which was mine at the time of their creation. Looking back, I see that the Victoria which caught my eye has changed and changed. I hope that within these pages you'll find much to recognize and remember and enjoy. —from Painting Victoria