Doug Comeau
Born in Canada in 1960, Doug spent his childhood growing up across the country in a military family environment. Having such a diverse geographical background at a young age had quite an impact on his already artistic inclination. At the age of 10 his family moved to Great Falls, Montana through a military exchange program. It was there that Doug experienced his greatest influence towards the medium of graphite. Already drawing with incredible control he came in contact with the works of Western Realist Charles Russell in Yellowstone National Park. Charles Russell’s ability to portray the western frontier was matched by no one from 1886 until he died in October 1926. His drawings of cowboys, native Indians and the animals of the Wild West were full of life and accuracy, a permanent vision he would cherish from that moment on.
After spending four influential years in Montana it was time to pack up the memories of the western frontier and head back to Ontario, Canada. At the age of fourteen and focused on mastering the diversity of graphite Doug continued on with his education and graduated from Garson Secondary school in Ontario in 1978. Although Doug dreamed of pursuing art as a career he decided to follow his father’s advice and joined the Air Force in 1979.
Several years past dedicating time and effort to his military career and drawing took a back seat until 1989 when his desire to create resurfaced. Living in Dartmouth Nova Scotia for the past 8 years was a roller coaster of travel duty and a courtship to marriage with Cathy in 1986. Everything was just great in Doug’s life but the missing puzzle piece was just around the corner. In 1989 Doug became serious about his drawing and the passion was rekindled.
For the next 4 years Doug experimented with many subjects and created quite a stir amongst the art circle in the Halifax area. He attended as many art shows as he could while juggling a full time military career and gained quite a reputation as one of Nova Scotia’s finest realists. The end of 1993 marked a new beginning for Doug and his dual career. Now with two daughters, Katelyn and Jaclyn, Doug and his family were posted to Trenton Ontario, a province full of new opportunities and a vibrant community of renowned artists.
Doug once again would have to restart his art career but this time with experience and a proven track record. He immediately became involved with organizations such as The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters as well as Ducks Unlimited Canada. High profile original art donations gained him respect amongst the business community and his art began gaining a lot of momentum. Doug continued to draw and show his work where ever and when ever he could but still had to focus on his primary career in the military. Doug’s reputation as a master graphite realist was growing rapidly and so was the pressure of committing to two careers.
As the millennium approached Doug’s graphite realism had reached a level of unmatched quality making his biggest impact at the Buckhorn Wildlife Art Festival in Buckhorn, Ontario in the late 1990s. This show features many of Canada’s premier realists in all mediums. The end of the 1990’s also marked the beginning of coloured pencil for Doug a new and challenging medium with the same fine characteristics as graphite.
In 1999 Doug took on a business partner and began planning art as a full time business. April 2001 Doug decided it was time to end his military life and move on to live his dream as a full time artist/business owner. May 15, 2001 the ribbon was cut and Timberwolf Gallery in Trenton Ontario was born specializing in custom framing and artwork from some of Canada’s foremost realists.
During the next couple of years Doug’s notoriety spread fast and Timberwolf Gallery became the destination for art enthusiasts. The Galleries reputation for incredible art and high level framing grew even larger after the success of two major art show organizations called “Art for the Animals”. This show featured 15 of Canada’s top realists and benefited the Quinte Humane Society. Many other art festivals were attended by Doug during the first couple of years the gallery was open until another cross road was to appear.
In 2004 Doug became the sole owner of Timberwolf Gallery, which marked the beginning of a new transition in his work. Doug’s drawings were now the only art on display at the gallery. His work began getting larger and subjects shifted as well as compositions. His original work was attracting collectors at a much higher value as he approached 2005-2006.
Doug has made his way into 2011 with a reputation of one of Canada’s top pencil realists in a relatively short amount of time. Many hurtles have been overcome living in a rural community but the support has been overwhelming and instrumental in his success. One of Canada’s largest coloured pencil drawings hangs in the new city hall in Trenton Ontario, donated by Doug in appreciation for all their support.
