Hemmingford, Quebec. C. 1980. Oil on board. Bill Male lived a quiet, solitary life working as a furniture restorer in Montreal and moving to the small community of Hemmingsford Quebec in retirement. Many of his paintings represent these quiet times, but a few are reminiscent of a much livelier period spent in Europe during the war. This busy bar scene falls into this catagory. Bill would re-purpose old frames by painting them in sympathetic colours. Signed "Bill Male" at lower front right. Sight: 19.5" x 23.25". Frame: 27.75" x 31.5" x 1.75". The Cassandra Ross Collection. Bill Male (1918-2003) was a folk art painter based in Québec. Male painted the world around him in bright primary colours. His paintings often included a number of people, often dancing or at play in settings such as dance halls, restaurants, apple orchards or farm fields. There was often music and often a solitary watcher. His work was primitive, powerful and skillful. He usually worked on masonite and artist board and signed his work in one of the lower corners.

Good condition.