(1913-2005)
Born in Kärla, Saaremaa, Estonia
Born in Estonia on September 17,1913. Osvald Timmas studied at the University of Tartu 1939-44 majoring in Economics. He worked at the Studio School with Nikolai Kummits, 1939-42 and Gunther Reindorff, 1943-44, and studied Illustrative Arts in Stockholm, Sweden, 1947-50. Timmas settled in Canada in 1951 and began painting professionally in 1956 in watercolour, oil and acrylics. Timmas has done independent research on water medium and extended techniques in watercolour painting. He has developed the use of ferric oxide, a most permanent pigment, in his aquarelle medium.
His many Group Exhibitions include: A selection of Water Colours, National Gallery of Canada, 1965. Canadian Watercolours, Drawings and Prints, National Gallery of Canada, 1966. American Watercolours, Circulating Shows for U.S. Museums, 1966, 1974. A selection of Canadian Water Colours, Art Galley of Ontario, 1968, 1975. American Watercolour Centennial, Circulating Exhibitions, 1967, 1968. The Art Gallery of Hamilton Shows of Contemporary Canadian Art, 1967, 1968, 1979. 1970, 1972, 1973. O.S.A. “Image” 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983. He has exhibited with the selected shows of the U.S. National Academy of Design, New York, the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and with other major American and Canadian groups. His work has been included with Jury shows in France, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Japan, etc.
Timmas has had many one-man shows, mainly at the Pollock Gallery, Merton Gallery, The University of Toronto, Saint Mary’s University, Robertson Galleries (Ottawa), Galleries Fore (Winnipeg), Gustafsson Galleries (Brampton and Toronto), Karney Gallery (Toronto), etc.
He has received many awards in Canada and the United States including:
O.S.A. Prize, John Ernst Award American Watercolours, 1967. Audubon Artists’ Medal and Award for Creative Aquarelle, 1967, 1968. Coutts-Hallmark Major Award for Watercolour, 1969, 1970. Best Watercolour in Show Award, OSA Image, 1976. CSPWC Honour Award, Sarnia Art Gallery, 1981. Awards at the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolours, including two Major Prizes, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1992. A major Award with Medal of Honour, A.W.S. 130thAnnual International Exhibition, New York 1977.
His works are in many galleries and museums as well as institutional collections including: The Art Gallery of Hamilton; Canton Art Institute, Ohio; London Art Museum, Ontario; Oklahoma Museum of Art, The Art Gallery of Windsor; University of Toronto; Rodman Hall Art Centre, St. Catharines; Erie Art Centre, Pennsylvania; St. Mary’s University, Halifax; Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario; Royal Collection of Drawings and Watercolours, Windsor Castle England; The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; The National Art Museum of Estonia, Tallinn, Estonia.
Timmas’ work is also in numerous private collections in Canada, United States, West Germany Finland,. Estonia, Sweden Israel, Australia, Egypt, etc.
Past President of the Colour and Form Society and the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, Timmas has been active also as an instructor and lecturer. He has taught art students as well as artists. Elected to the American Watercolour Society in 1970, Timmas is one of the few active members elected from outside of the United States. Elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, 1972, Timmas was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, 1977. Sponsored by the Lacana Mining Corporation, he painted in Mexico in 1979. Timmas is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, the Dictionary of International Biography, Canadian Artists in Exhibition and Who’s Who in Arts and Antiques. Honorary member of EKKT in 2004, Estonian President’s White Star V class medal 2005. Osvald passed away on October 27, 2005.
