Shorelines – Doris McCarthy and Wendy Wacko

The atmospheric renderings of remote areas of Canada by the legendary Doris McCarthy are going on show alongside the plein air works of McCarthy’s friend and painting companion, Wendy Wacko.

It’s a special exhibition, called Shorelines, focused on the mentorship of McCarthy and Wacko’s work with her painting partner at sites around the world.

Above: Mutton Bay, Doris McCarthy / Below: Looking toward Achill Island, County Mayo, Wendy Wacko.

The artists shared a passionate appreciation for the landscape, and travelled extensively on painting expeditions in Canada and abroad.

Heffel Toronto, where the exhibition runs March 14 to April 2, 2024

Wacko writes on Instagram that Storm Clouds (above) was “painted in 2010 – the year my friend and mentor Doris McCarthy passed away at 100 years old. This was the last location we painted together … North west Coast of the Republic of Ireland (co. Mayo).”

Above: Driftwood Beach at Port au Choix, Doris McCarthy

Below: Shoreline Fantasy, Magline Lake, Wendy Wacko

It is not possible to encapsulate the relationship and the influence each had on the other in a short online post. Wacko, for example, continued to paint after McCarthy’s death, some of those works included in the exhibition. But Wacko is deeper than her relationship with McCarthy, including her work as a filmmaker.

She has produced seven award-winning documentaries, including the 1986 documentary Doris McCarthy – Heart of a Painter.

This online magazine about the exhibition is worth exploring.

Read Wendy Wacko’s tribute upon Doris McCarthy’s death in 2010, here.

Wendy Wacko’s website, here.

Wendy Wacko’s works at Heffel, where the selling exhibition runs March 14 to April 2

Previous Art Junkie posts on Doris McCarthy, here and here.

Doris McCarthy’s works at Heffel, here.