Maud Lewis painting a missed opportunity

I happened to be at a Value Village store in Edmonton about a month ago, just before I heard about the movie Maudie.

I am usually attracted to any pictures or paintings about the Maritimes and on this occasion I noticed a painting approximately 8 x 10.

It stood out to me because of the ocean, lighthouse and seagulls. I picked it up and saw the name Maud Lewis but because I left home when I was 18 and we lived in an area without transportation to Glace Bay we were quite isolated. As a result I had no idea who Maud Lewis was as I looked at the painting.

Still, as I often purchase anything from the Maritimes I had a ‘should I or shouldn’t I’ moment.

My family is usually on my case about all the things I bring home and I thought I might buy it for my nephew who also lives here and misses everything about Cape Breton.

I turned the picture over and it told a bit about Maud who was from Nova Scotia and the painting was $14.

The most disappointing part of this was the fact that I put the painting back – a move I will regret for the rest of my life.

That same evening I heard her name mentioned on the news about someone finding one of her paintings in a thrift store in Ontario.

I could barely sleep that night and I raced to the Value Village the next day hoping it would still be there. No such luck. It was gone.

I surely will remember Maud Lewis for the rest of my life, but, unfortunately, it will be with a true feeling of loss.

I do hope to see the movie, but that too will bring sadness knowing I had her painting in my hand and decided to put it back.

Someone here in Edmonton has that painting and may have no idea what a gift they have. If it wasn’t for bad luck I would have no luck at all.

Thank you for posting a story about her on your website. She would be so honoured. Corinne MacDonald-Kalakalo Edmonton

(formerly of Port Morien and Birch Cove)