William J. Birtles, MSA Honorary Member

Born Alexander, Manitoba 1930

Early education there. I started to draw at an early age.

Encouraged by my mother Winifred and by my Grade VIII teacher Mary Hume I chose to pursue a career in Art.

Graduated from St. John’s College School, Winnipeg in 1948.

Attended the Winnipeg School of Art for one year (1949-50)

In 1950 traveled to England where I explored art galleries and museums in Manchester and London. I flew to Paris where one of my teachers from the WSA introduced me to the Louvre and other galleries.

In 1951-52 I attended the Manitoba Provincial Normal School. I taught in Winnipeg schools and latterly at Carman, Manitoba as an art educator.

In 1958 received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. My special interest was Sculpture and European Art History. In 1963 took classes in oil painting and collage at the Bath School of Art, England.

In 1971 received Bachelor of Education.

In 1985 retired from full time teaching. For the next two years I taught for the Manitoba Arts Council’s Artists- in- the- Schools program. This took me to various parts of the province. In between assignments I carried on with my own painting and wood carving. I have painted in oils and watercolours for many years, but now use mostly acrylics.

I draw inspiration from the landscape and the prairie skies. My subject matter includes still life, architecture and the human form. I also like to work in the abstract, drawing inspiration from what I see around me and from my imagination.