"He's been called the eighth member of the Group of Seven. Harrison has worked hard to avoid the cliché of the starving artist who spends his life in poverty and anonymity, only to have his genius recognized posthumously, when it does him no good. Harrison continues to push himself. He has the potential to be one of Canada's most important painters, and he's determined to drive toward that goal."
Mark Anderson, The Ottawa-Citizen, 2009.

Gordon Harrison was born in Montréal, studied in Toronto and lives in Ottawa.

His partner and Gallery Director, Phil Emond, operates the Gordon Harrison Gallery which showcases Gordon Harrison's collection of Canadian Landscapes from his travels across Canada. You can also take the journey with the artist through his Canadian Landscape book available at the National Gallery of Canada and other fine art galleries listed on his website.

In 2009, Gordon Harrison and his partner Phil Emond created the Gordon Harrison Art Inspiration Project. Inspiring children to pursue their artistic talent and discover the beauty of our Canadian landscapes is the artist's focus. Through this inspirational journey, students from visual art programs experience "life as an artist" working with Gordon Harrison and create an exhibition of Canadian landscapes. In 2010, the gallery hosted an exhibition of "The Colours of Canada – Coast to Coast" that showcased Canadian landscapes from the 41 grade 8 students from Turnbull School that participated in this journey. Please contact the gallery if this program is of interest to your school.

To celebrate Ottawa and Canada's cultural heritage, the Executive Committee of Ottawa Art expo asked Gordon Harrison to be one of the three jurors to recognize the talent of artists in the Ottawa community.

Gordon showed an interest in art at an early age. Enthralled by the natural world surrounding him, he followed his passion choosing to study Landscape Architecture at the University of Toronto. Mainly self-taught, Gordon has studied at the Ottawa School of Art and was highly influenced by one of Canada's foremost artists, Québec's Jean-René Richard (1895-1982). He produces impressive collections of Canadian landscapes from his travels across Canada.

He is often commissioned by clients to put their most memorable views on canvas. Gordon's work is described as a "celebration of colour." His bold use of colour, his unique skies and picturesque destinations evoke an emotional response from the viewer as he creates a mood in each painting.

His uninhibited use of colour and the Canadian landscape as his chosen subject matter often invites comparisons to his work to the Group of Seven; yet he maintains his very own unique style.

“I refer to my art as ‘Impressionism-Realism’: my brush strokes are broad, loose and intense, yet my subject matter remains clear.”

Gordon Harrison finds inspiration and colour in Canadian landscapes that he discovers through his travels across Canada and shares his experiences in the expression of his art. He has a passion for the beauty Canada offers in its forested landscapes, rocky shorelines, sweeping valleys and enchanting communities. He uses these destinations as his inspiration, recreating them through his own vision.

“Having my work exhibited in my own Gallery, at the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery, in International Art Fairs as well as other fine art galleries across Canada is an honour. Knowing that my work is part of our Canadian culture and heritage and is viewed and collected across the world gives me a great feeling of accomplishment as a Canadian artist.”

Private Collections

His paintings hang in private collections in the United States, Germany, Portugal, England, Scotland, Netherlands, Kenya, Tanzania, Caribbean, Singapore, Chile, Australia and across Canada. His works have been purchased by the Canadian Government, embassies, art galleries, municipal governments, Scotia McLeod Inc., Gowlings, Domicile Developments Inc., Charlesfort Development, Sakto Corporation, East Lane Developments, Routeburn Group, Taylor and Craig Associates, London Club, Memorial University, Sklar Wilton and Associates, Barry J. Hobin and Associates Architects, Fenêtres MQ, Nelligan, O'Brien and Payne, Donnelly Pontiac Buick, Candrive, 4té Interior Design, Kmob Martems, Hulse Playfair and McGarry, Stewart Associates and many private collectors.

Wallpapers