Untitled Document

Art with a difference

By Hollie Watson The Chronicle June 9,1999

Ignore the cynics - one person can make a difference. Eric Waugh of Montreal is using his artistic gifts to bring joy to children whose lives have been affected by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Waugh is completing a project of monumental proportions with the aim of raising funds for Camp Heartland in Minnesota for children affected by, or infected with, AIDS.

"I have healthy kids of my own, and I got to thinking, what have I done for people lately? So I called them up and offered to do a poster for them," said Waugh, a professional artist who heard about Camp Heartland from a documentary on television. "Since it's been in circulation, it has raised about $ 60,000.

" The project is multi-faceted and will culminate on Dec.1 - World AIDS Day - with the unveiling of the world's largest painting. For his efforts, Waugh was recently presented with the camp's first Heart of Hope award. He was one of five recipients and the only Canadian honoured at a gala last month. And two weeks ago, an exhibition and sale of his works raised about $ 45,000 for the camp in Willow River, and it's Canadian counterpart, Camp Oasis. Most of the 100 paintings of landscapes, portraits and abstracts were purchased through silent auction.

Hero is the abstract interpretation of two figures: an adult comforting a child. It is also the theme of the World's Largest Painting Project by an individual, for which a new category was created by the Guinness Book of World Records. But the route to the largest painting hasn't always been grand. Waugh had initially planned to create an artwork measuring 80,000 sq. ft., comprising five-foot panels painted in his St. Laurent studio. He assembled two test runs, laying out 3,000 sq. ft. at the Dollard des Ormeaux arena and then 14,000 sq. ft. at McGill University, in downtown Montreal. "Shortly after, I found out the record I had hoped to set had already been beaten by a collective group of artists who created a 92,000 sq. ft. painting," said Waugh who admitted to being bitterly disappointed. "I went to the studio and tore apart my easel." He eventually called officials at the Guinness Book of World Records and inquired about creating a new category. Their reaction, he said was no problem.

Waugh has been hard at work raising sponsors for his venture - the canvas alone costs $50,000 - and creating the remaining panels at a frantic pace. When finished, the painting will measure 45,000 sq. ft.



News Main Articles Television and Radio appearances	Art with a difference By Hollie Watson The Chronicle June 9,1999 Ignore the cynics - one person can make a difference. Eric Waugh of Montreal is using his artistic gifts to bring joy to children whose lives have been affected by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Waugh is completing a project of monumental proportions with the aim of raising funds for Camp Heartland in Minnesota for children affected by, or infected with, AIDS. "I have healthy kids of my own, and I got to thinking, what have I done for people lately? So I called them up and offered to do a poster for them," said Waugh, a professional artist who heard about Camp Heartland from a documentary on television. "Since it's been in circulation, it has raised about $ 60,000. " The project is multi-faceted and will culminate on Dec.1 - World AIDS Day - with the unveiling of the world's largest painting. For his efforts, Waugh was recently presented with the camp's first Heart of Hope award. He was one of five recipients and the only Canadian honoured at a gala last month. And two weeks ago, an exhibition and sale of his works raised about $ 45,000 for the camp in Willow River, and it's Canadian counterpart, Camp Oasis. Most of the 100 paintings of landscapes, portraits and abstracts were purchased through silent auction. Hero is the abstract interpretation of two figures: an adult comforting a child. It is also the theme of the World's Largest Painting Project by an individual, for which a new category was created by the Guinness Book of World Records. But the route to the largest painting hasn't always been grand. Waugh had initially planned to create an artwork measuring 80,000 sq. ft., comprising five-foot panels painted in his St. Laurent studio. He assembled two test runs, laying out 3,000 sq. ft. at the Dollard des Ormeaux arena and then 14,000 sq. ft. at McGill University, in downtown Montreal. "Shortly after, I found out the record I had hoped to set had already been beaten by a collective group of artists who created a 92,000 sq. ft. painting," said Waugh who admitted to being bitterly disappointed. "I went to the studio and tore apart my easel." He eventually called officials at the Guinness Book of World Records and inquired about creating a new category. Their reaction, he said was no problem. Waugh has been hard at work raising sponsors for his venture - the canvas alone costs $50,000 - and creating the remaining panels at a frantic pace. When finished, the painting will measure 45,000 sq. ft.