Douglas MORTON

MORTON Douglas Gibb. RCA, Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria, Honorary Doctorate of Law, University of Regina, 1926-2004. We celebrate the life of our husband, father, grandfather and friend, who brought joy, beauty and inspiration to the world. An acclaimed artist, teacher, and beloved father of six, Douglas passed over and joined his daughter, Jocelyn, on January 4, 2004. Douglas is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mickey, his five children and 12 loving grandchildren. Doug was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and after a short stint in the Canadian army he attended the Winnipeg School of Art. He continued his studies at the University of Southern California and the Art Centre School in Los Angeles. He studied in Paris at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts and in the studio of Andre L'Hote, then in London at the Camberwell School of Art and in the studio of Martin Bloch. He and his young wife returned to Canada where be became Curator of the Calgary Allied Arts Center. With an ever growing family, Douglas opened a branch of his father's business in Regina, Saskatchewan, where he continued to paint and became a member of the dynamic force known as the Regina Five. He assumed the position of Director of Visual Arts at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1969 Douglas joined the Faculty of Fine Arts at York University in Toronto as Chairman of the Visual Arts Department and then later as Associate Dean and Director of the Graduate M.F.A. Programme. In 1980, Douglas joined the University of Victoria as Dean of Fine Arts. In 1986 he took sabbatical leave, and was appointed the first President of the Alberta College of Art in Calgary. Two years later he returned to the University of Victoria as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department. Douglas retired in 1992 and focused on his painting in his inspiring studio by the ocean. Active in the community, was a lifetime member and served on the Board of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Douglas' prolific and influential paintings can be found in major art galleries, institutions and homes across Canada, including the National Gallery in Ottawa. Always willing to help and teach others, Doug had a genuine love of life. Wemiss him and will remember all he gave us. "Living should be an adventure: Joy, depression, achievement and acceptance of defeat, an honour not to be wasted." Douglas Morton, 2004.