For the past 18 years, I have lived and painted in the stunning village of Bear River, Nova Scotia. My studio, a converted garage surrounded by nature, is where I answer the deep call to create, inspired daily by the captivating beauty of gardens, fields, and the peaceful rural landscape that envelops me.
I work primarily in acrylics, oils, and watercolors, drawn to the textures and light of this place I call home. My life in rural Nova Scotia is a gift—one that allows my art and an environment of profound natural beauty to be inextricably linked.
My artistic path began early, nurtured by creative parents in downtown Toronto. My father, a Linotype operator, gave me a love for the smell of printers’ ink and the craft of type. My mother, a painter, writer, and gardener, made art materials and inquisitiveness a normal part of everyday life. Their influence is a thread that runs through everything I do.
Formal training introduced me to a world of mediums—from clay and printmaking to painting—first in Toronto and later at the Kunsthochschule Weissensee in Berlin. My years in Germany under the guidance of Professor Wolfram Schubert were formative, shaping my worldview and deepening my compassion for people finding themselves in unfamiliar places.
Life, as it does, brought many chapters: returning to Canada, meeting my life partner, Larry, raising two creative children, and building a career in libraries. Through it all, painting remained my constant companion—a quiet, persistent thread woven through the busy years.
In 2007, with our children grown, Larry and I left Toronto to chase a long-held dream. We settled in Bear River, a vibrant community of artists in Nova Scotia, to devote ourselves full-time to our art. It was a wonderful leap. The pace slowed, the community welcomed us, and the landscape spoke directly to my brush.
These past 18 years have been a profound creative journey. Here, I have cultivated a rich inner and outer life, steeped in beauty, with the space to develop and grow in ways I never imagined. This is where my muse truly found its home.
With best regards to you an Larry, Hajo and Manuela
Hi Flora, your life is similar to mine. After 3 years at Central Tech. I went to Florence,Italy and studied more art. Then, came back to Toronto and had a number of art exhibitions. Afterwards, moved out west to Sidney,BC. Again, had more exhibits and then retired. No more exhibits and just enjoying life. Take care, Phil Sybal
Art and creativity have always been and always will be a necessary part of my life. Kind of like breathing.
I have 2 art shows lined up for the future and I can’t imagine ever stopping.
After the art schools, I met my Life Companion, Larry. We had two wonderful babies, now two amazing, creative adults. In order to make a living, in my 40’s I returned to school to study library work and spent the next 15 years working full time in school and non-profit libraries, all the while painting when I could. I earned a BA through distance ed. classes at the U of Waterloo…that took 10 years.
This final life chapter in Nova Scotia has been the cherry on top. Every day I appreciate the beauty and inspiration here and having a big, chaotic, studio filled with all kinds of art supplies…because I still have much to learn and to try out!
We were so lucky to have the Special Art Program at CTS to attend….it was free, it offered such a variety of skills and did not differentiate between ‘art’ and ‘craft’ but placed importance on all the arts, as should be. I took weaving, life drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography and painting.
I remember your wonderful silk screen work Phil…something I’d like to try again. Take care.