Everyone has a different art style. I find joy in drawing in all the small details, even if it is unnoticeable to the viewer. For this painting though, I was inspired by Helen McNicoll’s art style which contrasts sharply with mine. Her use of broad, visible, and loose brushstrokes evoked a sense of nostalgia for me. This motivated me to paint my younger self in McNicoll’s style to truly capture that nostalgic feeling. I chose a time in life that brings back memories for many Canadians and myself: skiing with the classic beavertail. Although my painting is not the best imitation of her style, as it was difficult to shift from my original tight brushstrokes to loose ones, it was a very fun experience, and I learned a lot.

–Jiyul Park (Grade 10, White Oaks Public School, Oakville, Ontario)

Nineteenth-century Impressionist painter Helen McNicoll (1879–1915) captured the lives of girls and women in her luminous scenes depicting the Canadian countryside, childhood hobbies, and rural female labour.