Newmarket

By: Joan Ransberry

Determined to catch the man with the camera, two little barefoot lads from a village in Ecuador chased artist Martin Pryce down a hill.  

“They spotted the camera,” Mr. Pryce said. “They were so excited when I snapped their picture. I came home with a few hundred photos. Each is unique.”  

Often using photographs as a point of reference, the artist works in three mediums: water colours, oil and acrylic.

While in Ecuador, he shot colourful landscape and captured the bold strength and beauty of the people. Eleven different peoples make up Ecudaor’s indigenous population. They’re proud and they struggle.

Mr. Pryce’s travels took him to fishing villages, rambling old haciendas and packed markets. He even managed to get up close and personal with a mountain in Pulingui San Pablo in the province of Chimborazo.   

The population of about 240 indigenous people live in huts with straw roofs and mud adobe walls, while the stove provides the heat and cooks the food. So very different from Ontario, Chimborazo’s local economy is supported by raising lambs, pigs and cattle.

When on his way to Galapagos Island, which has the world’s largest volcano-created crater, Mr. Pryce took sick and had to lay low for a few days.  

The artist is especially pleased he has added Ecuador to his global travels.  

Actually, the purpose of the recent three-week trip to the South American country south of Columbia was two fold: The artist and Newmarket business owner rolled up his sleeves and helped build a school and enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime white-water rafting experience on the Upper Napo River, slept in the jungle, did some more rafting on the Hollin River and then, camera in hand, roamed the countryside.

“I loved the gracefulness of translating nature into art when I painted the rolling hills of France, the scenery and architecture of Italy and the sunsets shining over a church in Tobago. With Ecuador added to my list, I’m  planning to go to Peru.”

Volunteering with The Free The Children project, Mr. Pryce was one of four adults to join 17 teenaged boys from Aurora’s St. Andrew’s College to travel to Ecuador’s small village of La Piedra Negra.

There, they built the 800-square-foot school, using the adobe-plaster style of construction. Adobe — sun-dried brick — is one of the oldest and most common building materials known to man.

“I went as a chaperon and I went for reference material for my art,” he said. “It’s so unlike what we see here. The sights are phenomenal.”

Free The Children, founded by Thornhill native Craig Kielburger,  is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world.

“It was an honour to volunteer,” Mr. Pryce said. “At one time, one of my children attended St. Andrew’s.”

Reviewing his photographs from his latest travels, Mr. Pryce picks up a shot of a little girl dressed in a school uniform.

The photo collection includes about 15 portrait-style pictures of little children from a very small village in Ecuador.

When he visited the village school, a kindergarden class was graduating. When Mr. Pryce found out there would be no photographs of the event, he saved the day.

“I took the graduation shots and will send them to the school,” he said.

At 56, Mr. Pryce has managed to do what few artists can: for the most part, he has always made his living through artistic expression. He’s not, however, doing it alone. Rita Pryce, his wife, best friend and business partner, is by his side.

When Mr. Pryce asked a pretty girl to dance at a Toronto club 31 years ago, he had no idea she’d become his life partner and business co-owner.

Mrs. Pryce, a former banker, has a knack for business.

“I’m right brained and Martin’s left brained,” Mrs. Pryce said. “We complement each other. He’s all about art. It’s in his bones.”

Mr. Pryce is quick to acknowledge his wife’s support and contribution to his art and to the Newmarket School of Fine Art.  

Kids and adults study drawing, painting and sculpture, while the Steven Court business includes art supplies and custom framing.

“Teaching is a big part of who I am. I see art as a second language,” he said.

With his wife overseeing the day-to-day business operation, Mr. Pryce concentrates on being creative. For inspiration, he often listens to music, including jazz and contemporary rock.

“Artists are moody,” Mr. Pryce said.  “When I paint and if it is not going well, don’t talk to me. Let me get through it. Sometimes, I hit a brick wall.”

His wife understands.   

“Rita looks after the stuff artists don’t like to do,” Mr. Pryce said.

“She manages the business aspect so well. The business started from scratch 16 years ago and we now have 10 teachers.”  

On the homefront, the couple has three grown children: A son is a firefighter in Calgary, a daughter works at a bank in western Ontario and their youngest child, a son, is studying architecture at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

Born in Birmingham, England, Mr. Pryce was six-months-old when he came to Canada with his parents and three older brothers. His brother, John, 12 years his senior, is also a successful artist. The brothers often paint together.

Growing up in London, ON, Mr. Pryce studied at H.B. Beal Secondary School in one of Ontario’s top high school art programs.

“The Beal art program has produced some of Canada’s most talented artists,” he said.

Recognizing the need to always improve, Mr. Pryce developed his artistic skills by attending scores of workshops. Meanwhile, he has always worked for himself, whether it is in his architectural illustrator business or at the Newmarket business.

Mr. Pryce takes pride in his creations; over the years, he has sold many originals throughout North America and received numerous awards and commissions.

Currently, his art is on display at a number of galleries, including the Liss Gallery in downtown Toronto. Established 25 years ago, the well-known gallery is a leader in the promotion of Canadian and international art.

David Reed, spokesperson for Liss Gallery, has only good things to say about Mr. Pryce.

“We’ve shown Martin’s work for two years,” Mr. Reed said.

“His florals and landscape pieces are so beautiful. He is very successful.”

When Mr. Pryce puts down his camera, his sketching pad and paint brushes, he studies the works of others, Picasso, the French Impressionists and the Group of Seven are on his lists of favourites.

“They’ve influenced me so much,” he said.  

For more information, visit www.newmarketartschool com or call 905-836-1231.

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