The following was submitted by the staff of the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH).
While most Canadians are aware of the Group of Seven, many Orillians forget that one of the most famous artists was born right here in Orillia.
In 1890, at 55 Scott St., a young Franklin Carmichael was born to the world. It seems that from a young age, Carmichael’s mother, Susannah Eleanor Smith, recognized the artistic promise that her son showed.
Records show that early in Carmichael’s life, he was busy at work at his father’s carriage factory. Many, if not all carriages built by David Graham Carmichael’s Orillia Wagon and Sleigh Works would have passed under Franklin’s eyes as he became the head of the painting department at the factory before branching farther out into becoming a painter.
This is not to say that Carmichael had been forced to suppress his artistic abilities. On the contrary, he had been under the tutelage of the Reverend Richard Greene, who ran the Orillia Sketch Club. It is very possible that Greene encouraged Carmichael to pursue his art farther, and before long, young Carmichael did just that.
In 1911, Carmichael’s father sold the carriage works, and Franklin moved to Toronto to work as a designer. Nine years after his relocation, the famous Group of Seven was formed.
The foundation of this group marks the emergence of the bulk of Carmichael’s paintings, especially those depicting the beautiful autumn colours which feature throughout Simcoe County at this time of year.
As the members of the Group of Seven liked to paint outdoors, they needed something to carry their supplies. This green bag was used by Franklin Carmichael to carry his art supplies on numerous expeditions around Ontario, capturing the landscape.
One can imagine the artist traversing the rugged central and northern Ontario landscape, searching for the perfect autumnal view to paint, with this bag slung over his shoulder.
