Cathy Dobson
She was a teacher, mentor, friend and wife, but no matter what the late Sue Galos did, she was an artist unafraid to try something new.
Galos excelled in all kinds of mediums and all sorts of painting styles. She used vibrant colour and rich tones, sometimes combining them with texture in both her natural and abstract work.
From June 5 to June 25, Gallery in the Grove will host what will likely be Galos’ last show.
Her husband of 32 years, Pat Simpson, has selected 60 paintings that reflect her life’s work. Many have never been exhibited before.
Before she passed away in 2014 from complications with her battle with cancer, Galos was specific about what should happen to her work. One of her paintings would be given annually to charity, one piece would go to each member of the family, and those that didn’t sell would be destroyed.
“She wasn’t going to devalue her work that others had already bought,” said Simpson. “She wanted to maintain that integrity.”
He has co-ordinated a couple of shows this year and says he expects this will be the last.
“I have storage problems,” he explained. “She did go through periods when she didn’t paint, particularly when she was teaching, but when she was inspired, the house wasn’t big enough to hold all the canvas, the art table and shelves and shelves of stuff.”
Galos amazed her husband by continuing to paint after the cancer diagnosis.
“She said, ‘This cancer has happened. It will eventually kill me but in the meantime, I am going to do everything I can,’ ” he said.
She was prolific, painting watercolour landscapes, series of birds, fish and commissioned pet portraits. In later years, she explored abstract art, often applying layers and texture.
Galos was born to Hungarian parents, the oldest of eight kids. She moved to Sarnia in 1975 and was an art teacher for 30 years with the Lambton Kent District School Board. Most of that time was spent at St. Clair. She died at age 63.
The Gallery in the Grove show opens with a reception and will be punctuated with quotations from Galos’ colleagues, mounted on the walls of the second-storey exhibit rooms.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: “What I Saw … A retrospective of paintings by Sue Galos.”
WHEN: June 5 to June 25. Opening June 5 reception 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Gallery in the Grove, 2300 Hamilton Rd. Bright’s Grove.