Did you know Robert Markle made a mural for Owen Sound?

Did you know the mural Robert Markle made for Owen Sound in 1987 was full of community involvement? In fact, some people even painted sections Robert drew for them. It was a chance for the community to participate in an event that celebrated what Owen Sound was about.

Robert painted 7 sections (which totaled 28’ long by 8’ high) and outlined his vision in charcoal. He then had people begin to fill in the sections. Robert told contributors not to worry about how well they painted as he planned to go over the areas later to fix them.

While creating the mural Robert wanted as much involvement from people of the community as possible and encouraged everyone to help. Children, spectators and former Mayor and MP Ovid Jackson all contributed to the mural. In all, more than 50 people showed up for the event which later was concluded with a barbeque and street dance.

Robert was chosen out of 14 artists for the project that was part of the city’s second ‘Street Arts Festival’ sponsored by the Downtown Improvement Area.

Did you know Robert Markle portrayed Rembrandt in the television show ‘Witness to Yesterday’?

Sponsored by Shell Canada Limited in 1974, “Witness to Yesterday” offered a fresh and fascinating perspective on history. Patrick Watson was the writer, producer and director of the show.

Watson also conducted the “interviews” of the historical guests. The questions were designed to explore the myths and theories that had developed over the years and re-created some of history’s finest personalities from Queen Victoria, William Shakespeare and Alexander the Great.

The episode staring Markle highlighted Rembrandt’s career and discussed some important works by the artist. Markle dressed in costume to portray the artist and was passionate when describing Rembrandt’s artistic vision.

The interview never seemed scripted as both Watson and Markle fed off each other during each response. Anxiousness and frustration arose when personal questions were asked about the hardships Rembrandt faced in his life.

Did you know Robert Markle had a close relationship with musician Gordon Lightfoot?

Did you know Robert Markle had a close relationship with Canadian folk legend Gordon Lightfoot?

In fact, he wrote articles about their friendship and discussed his opinions on Gordon’s career and musical abilities.

In one article titled “Knowing Lightfoot: A Friend’s Portrait of the Artist at Work and Play” Robert gave a different perspective on Lightfoot’s work process.

He also gave a personal look into how Lightfoot would unwind with friends after his concerts. Robert had a genuinely honest and close relationship with Lightfoot for many years.

Robert also painted Gordon Lightfoot’s portrait that was to be used for an album cover. The art director for the album decided to go with a photograph of Lightfoot instead.

Gordon kept the portrait Markle created and hung it in his house and to this very day deeply admires the piece.

Robert had a deep passion for music, especially for folk singer Gordon Lightfoot. His admiration showed in his artwork and writings that resulted in the lengthy articles about Gordon in The Canadian Magazine, Maclean’s Magazine and many others.

Did you know about Markle’s television pilot?

Did you know that before Robert Markle passed away he piloted a T.V show called ‘Something’s Brewing’ that featured micro-breweries in Canada?

Robert and Patrick Watson were beginning a series that would feature Markle as a host and writer as he travelled throughout Canada to find micro-breweries in beautiful and interesting places.

In the pilot he visited Creemore Springs Brewery and interviewed the owner along with local politicians, historians and other community members. Robert also painted and sketched local scenes (such as those shown on this page).

Robert said, “It is an education for me that I’d like to pass on to all the other beer drinkers. I’d like to show the beer drinkers out there that there’s a choice out there when it comes to beer”.

‘Something’s Brewing’ didn’t just focus on the beer but the people and places and the impact the brewery had on the community.

Markle felt the film had direction and would give options to a new audience and give them a chance to learn something new. The show never aired since Robert died tragically in 1990. They didn’t want the project to move forward without Robert’s presence.

Did you know Markle was an unconventional teacher?

Robert Markle was a founding member of Arts’ Sake Inc. and a teacher at the New School of Art, but did you know that he had some of the most unconventional teaching methods for his students?

He would drive down to Toronto two days a week and his classes were most likely to be held in the Brunswick Tavern.

Conversations would take over the lessons amongst pitchers of beer. Markle challenged his students to look deep within their own work “and try to figure out why they’re all so shitty”.

He also felt, “I don’t see it as my job to give my students anything. I think it’s their job to get what they want from me. They have to come to me. And they know where they can find me when they have to”.

Past student and artist Vera Frenkel recalls pouring a pitcher of beer over Markle’s head after one of his pompous rants. It was then she earned his undying respect.

Students were mesmerized by him. One stated “He’s an original. He’s at the centre of whatever’s going on. You always get the feeling that whatever he does, he likes teaching best of all”.

Despite not having a formal class setting, students respected Robert enough to follow him to the tavern and listen to every criticism and encouragement he offered. Without the New School of Art and having practicing artists teach those classes, the artists may have never gained the perspective they needed for their own artwork.

Robert Markle – Did You Know? #1

In 1967, the BBC created a show called ‘Panorama’ which showcased many cities in Canada giving viewers a deep look into our country before Expo ’67.

Did you know that Robert Markle was chosen to interpret the city of Toronto for this television show?

He was not the obvious choice to the public but many felt he knew the city well and could give an interesting perspective. He truly loved the city of Toronto and his work and career showed that. He met with writers and cameramen to escort them around town giving them his view on the city he constantly observed.

The show wanted to “ask people if Canada has a national identity” and wanted the creative representations rather than the man on the street. They highlighted Toronto’s heritage and its expanding environment to create a unique picture of what Toronto represented at that time. Robert was able to discuss these ideas along with showcasing his art as they filmed him creating one of his tempera drawings. The film crew also captured an Artists’ Jazz Band jam session.

The show premiered a week before Expo ’67 and highlighted the nationalism so many felt towards their country.

Markle – Final Series

Before Robert Markle passed away as a result of a car accident in July 1990, he created a final series called ‘Table Dancer Series’ which consisted of both mono prints and paintings.

The series showcased Robert’s relationship with the dancer as he placed himself as an observer within each painting.

The paintings on board highlighted the environment of the dancer. Markle would showcase the stage lights, the drinks on the table, and the mood of the club with every piece. The paintings still showed the investigation Robert was fascinated with.

The palette becomes darker, the women have a tough quality to them and the interior shifts into focus.

The mono prints he created were mainly black and white. They also highlighted Robert as an observer as he places a self portrait in every image.

Robert seems to interact more with the dancers and his figure is more predominant in the composition.

Print making was a medium Robert experimented with throughout his career. Robert was also part of the film ‘Priceville Prints’ with fellow artists Otis Tamasauskas and Harold Klunder.

The film was produced by the Durham Art Gallery and showcased the artists creating prints and their techniques. The film won the Silver Apple Award at the 1988 National Educational Film & Video Festival in Oakland, California.

Robert left a strong impression on the Canadian art scene and has continued to influence many artists today. He will always be remembered for his contributions to art and how the female nude is perceived.

His words on how he hoped many would view his work, showcases his dedication to his craft.
“After seeing my work, hopefully you may arrive at some sense of truth or beauty that wasn’t there before. It’s here to celebrate the idea of creativity”.

Stay tuned next week as we start to uncover some interesting facts about Robert Markle in a section called ‘Did You Know?’

Robert Markle – Sculptures

Robert Markle experimented with various mediums to express his fascination of the female form. He explored 3D art making ranging from installations to his infamous whirly gigs and murals.

Robert created whirly gigs to give his dancers a new type of movement. They literally danced in the wind.

These whirly gigs were created from wood and foam core with subjects ranging from Markle as an observer to nude profiled women surrounding each creation. The whirly gigs still pose the thought of the male gaze from a unique perspective.

He was commissioned to create installations for various locations.
The restaurant ‘Markleangelo’s’ was decorated with large installation pieces that were reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel.

Robert felt his images were ‘Angels of the Night’ and adorned the restaurant with neon lights and drawings from wall to ceiling.

Robert also created public installations digging into his native heritage. The piece ‘Mohawk’ installed at the Ontario Government Building and ‘Mohawk: Meeting’ at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre that both represented symbolically Canada’s aboriginal past.

His artistic vision was also lend to create murals for both Owen Sound and Mount Forest in 1986-1987. These images showcased the thriving communities and celebrated what each city was about.

The murals helped showcase the wide range of subject matter Robert could interpret through his unique vision.

The exhibition ‘Blazing Figures’ will have some of Markle’s whirly gigs on display along with maquettes he made for other series and rare ceramic pieces. Robert explored many different perspectives on how to represent the female figure he envisioned. Stay tuned as we explore his final series before his death and see the direction he would have further explored.

Robert Markle – the 80s

Robert Markle’s work began to change in the 1980’s. There was a shift to how he interpreted the female form along with further exploration of mediums. Themes became dominant and Robert would continuously investigate their effects between his relationships with models and artist.

One theme in the 1980’s was Robert’s interpretation of ‘body as landscape’.

Here the female figure is positioned directly across the page simulating the horizon. Different parts of her body seem to make up the sky or water.

Robert also begins to use multiple mediums such as acrylic, charcoal, tempra, inks and pastel and often mixes them together.

A predominant theme in the 1980’s was for Robert to place himself within his paintings and study the models in their environments.

The ‘Artist and his Model’ series investigated his desires of observing and the relationship it created with the models. It can also be argued that he was considering the result of the male gaze.

Robert was also able to give a glimpse of his personal life and with his wife Marlene. The ‘Domesticity’ series showcased his life at home.

Here, there are private moments captured while also highlighting a more relaxed and humorous glimpse of his home and studio. He would also fill his sketchbooks with objects and interiors of his house; the things that represented their style and collections.

The 1980’s gave Robert a chance to further explore his passion and truly investigate every angle of the female form.

Stay tuned next week as we take a look at Robert’s sculptural pieces along with some of the public commissions he created.

Robert Markle – The 1970’s, Exploration and Growth

The 1970’s was a very important time in Robert Markle’s career. Despite the obstacles he had to overcome, it would be a decade full of exploration and growth for the artist.

In 1970, Robert was in a serious motorcycle accident. His arms and hands were badly injured and he was forced to try and rehabilitate them.

The only tool he could use was a shaving brush and the result proved more expressionistic and minimalistic. The brush strokes were looser filled; there were fine layers and sweeping curves. The white of the paper began to hold the composition together. This was the time where Robert had to re-think the movement of his hands and it would create a new perspective of the female form.

Eventually Robert broke out of black and white and colour would dominate most of his work in the 1970’s. He still didn’t have the full use of his hands, but there was progression in the way he used colour to define curves and shadows.

Robert would randomly place colour and started putting the body in different positions. The falling figure series would start his investigation of ‘body as a landscape’ where the long legs of the female would simulate the horizon.

When Robert regained the full use of his hands, a series emerged that would prove to the public he was no longer limited. The highly graphic and detailed drawings of burlesque women were his proof he could draw again after his accident. This style however would never be seen again.

Robert was also influenced by many things that he came across in his readings. In the abstract acrylic on canvas series, he uses the influence of Japanese literature within these works. Even though the figure may not be recognizable, he states there is evidence of form.

Despite the difficult circumstances Robert had to face, he was able to push through and still create work that he was passionate about. He was at the peak of his career in the 70’s with teaching, writing and playing in the Artists’ Jazz Band.

The early investigations of colour and the position of the body would become highly evident in the next decade. Stay tuned next week as we explore the 1980’s where the figure begins to dominate the entire page.

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