Toronto painter Hilary Porado (b.1962 England) paints people, birds and animals from life, usually in outdoor landscapes. She uses oil paint on canvas or canvas panels. After focusing on wild birds and animals for fifteen years, she is taking time to paint a whole new group of birds and animals at the Toronto Zoo.
Ms Porado holds a BA in Studio Art from Wellesley College. She remembers Professor James Wilson Rayen saying, "We don't use photographs." He taught Drawing from life and Painting from life. "It was more like a dance than anything else. We learned to draw and paint on very large surfaces with speed and elegance. It was quite extraordinary," says Ms. Porado. "We took very big canvases outdoors and painted nature. We painted things in motion. So, painting wildlife became possible! Sadly, he passed away in 2013."
Working at United Press International as a graphic artist, Ms. Porado saw photographers going out to cover assignments while the artists were staying in the office using computers, technical pens and photo references. In her spare time, she painted outdoors. At Newhouse News Service and Maturity News Service, she developed a cartoon style in computer graphics.
In November 2009, Ms Porado was photographed by The Globe and Mail while painting from a lifeguard's chair at Sunnyside Beach. She was rededicated to painting from life and determined to work like a photographer, but as a painter without using photographs. She would not compete with photographers. Her work would be completely different, gestural, a celebration of paint and canvas, a dance.
Many works sold at galleries, shops, art tours, auctions, and online websites. They decorate homes across Canada and around the world.
Swansea, (detail), oil on canvas panel , 16 x 20 inches
Hilary Porado
Windy Day, oil on canvas, 30 x 60 inches.
Polar Bear in Winter, oil on canvas, 20 x 28"
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