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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  705-742-1875.

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

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

Moon goddess


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

Goddess Of The Wind


Goddess Alters






Mother Goddess