Almost all of Dr. Donald Flather's oil paintings generally fall into distinct series, each one based on a particular subject, geographic region or period of his life. The paintings done within the series all have a common theme and feel to them, and can be viewed in the respective Series in the Virtual Gallery.

Animal Series 1948 to 1966

Donald's Animal Series reflects his love of the outdoors and all things living. He painted as many as 18 oil paintings in this series. The painting titled "Fish" (Click here to view) allowed him to use his imagination and show an environment he could not see. Birds, deer and fish were his favorite subjects. Donald M. Flather was as gentle as many of the creatures he painted.

Baffin Island Series 1981 to 1987

Donald's Baffin Island series is what many argue is his strongest artistic statement. Inspired by the beauty of the high Arctic, he and his wife, Grace, traveled to Pond Inlet in July 1981. Donald had traveled in the Western Arctic and Central Arctic near McKenzie and the Beaufort Sea in his earlier years. His trip to the Eastern Arctic (Baffin Island) rounded out his Arctic experience.

The Baffin Island series represents the culmination of a lifelong dedication to painting and is a showcase of the talents he developed over his lifetime.

Some stunning scenes were sketched quickly from the air, whereas others were sketched from a boat. Donald was upset by the destruction occurring in the remote and fragile arctic environment. This led Donald to paint the emotionally charged painting titled "The ("former") Rutting Place of the Caribou". The Caribou and their mating grounds have been destroyed by over-hunting and the rampant use of all terrain vehicles.

Donald painted as many as 11 paintings of this beautiful part of Canada and all are of his larger size (36" X 48") which he felt was necessary to reflect the vastness of the region.

Cascade / Olympic Range of Washington State 1946 to 1975

Donald Painted as many as 9 oil paintings in this region of Northwest Washington State, U.S.A. He primarily painted images of dead or burnt-out trees which he called "Forest Ghosts". Donald was often disturbed by the destruction of the forest fires caused by man, but also realized their value in forest regeneration and renewal.

Coastal British Columbia Series 1930's to 1978

This series of coastal British Columbia, Canada, is arguably one of Donald's finest. Locations were primarily around the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada area but also included the Straight of Georgia, an area of the Pacific Ocean which lies between continental Canada and the 500 km. long Vancouver Island. He painted as many as 16 paintings in this series. Most Vancouverites recognize his Point Atkinson Lighthouse painting. Donald captures many stunning scenes, such as his Thetis Island and Point no Point paintings. Both display his highly stylized clouds and water.

Click here to see a list of Oil Paintings

Central British Columbia/ Crispair Farm 1952 to 1975

Donald found trees (especially Aspens) and water (lakes) attractive features to paint and very representative of this region. British Columbia lies in the western most part of Canada with coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Wildlife is very abundant and well represented in his paintings. Autumn was one of his favorite times of the year to paint as he could capture much more color in his world.

Loon Lake, Pavilion Lake and Knouff Lake form many of the locations of the 18 or so Central B.C. paintings. He painted as many as 15 oil paintings at or near his Crispair Farm, located at Celista, BC.

Eastern Canada and Ontario Series 1955 to 1978

This series features paintings from Algonquin Park which was made popular by the Group of Seven (Click here to read more on the Group of Seven). Donald Painted about half a dozen paintings in Ontario and Quebec and at least a couple in New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. Perhaps his best one of the six or so he painted in Newfoundland, is the one at Bonne Bay. Viewers admire his perspective and color in this unique painting. He also managed to make it to Labrador where icebergs seemed to be his fascination.

Fraser River Valley 1955 to 1977

This series contains at least 8 paintings. Donald Flather was very thorough in covering all aspects of the beautiful nation of Canada and included trees, oceans, wildlife, mountains, plains, lakes and even rivers such as the mighty Fraser. The Fraser River lies in the western part of Canada and winds it's way through most of the Province of British Columbia eventually emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The Fraser River Delta is the very ground on which the Canadian City of Vancouver is built upon.

Garibaldi / Squamish and Whistler Region Series 1928 to 1971

D.M. Flather found this region to be full of beautiful locations. Squamish is situated approximately halfway between the western Canadian City of Vancouver, British Columbia and Whistler, BC, an internationally acclaimed Ski Resort. One of his favorite subjects was Black Tusk Mountain. In his oil painting "Black Tusk" , as painted from the Southwest, he successfully combines perspective, style and color to make this one of his most sought after paintings.

D.M. Flather went on to paint at least 7 different renditions of Black Tusk Mountain and he would often hike up in the remote area at different times of the year. One slide photograph was taken on December 27, 1975 at Black Tusk Mountain. At the age of seventy two and and in the thick of winter, he would still challenge his physical abilities to the limit to obtain the breathtaking scenes he would paint.

Donald even traveled to the region between Vancouver and Whistler before the Ski to Sky highway (the area's main highway today) was constructed. This would make trips to the area even more difficult and challenging than just the hikes in the deep snow.

Hope - Princeton Highway Region 1955 to 1972

This section of South Central British Columbia, in Western Canada, was a popular region for D.M. Flather because he would often travel the Hope-Princeton Highway to get to his Crispair Farm in the Interior of the province. This series features several of his colorful "Marsh" scenes. These typically have water / streams in the foreground with grasses and highly colored bushes behind and almost always Spruce trees in the background.

Unfortunately, careless highway users have caused forest fires on many occasions in the area which Dr. Flather also liked to paint. Somehow, he captured beauty in the aftermath of such tragedies.

Howe Sound Series 1955 to 1976

Many art critics have argued that the Howe Sound Series is one of the strongest. Howe Sound is a majestic inlet of water which lies North of Vancouver, British Columbia between Squamish and Horseshoe Bay. The East side is bordered by steep mountain slopes perforated with many rivers and small streams which pump fresh water into the inlet. Many stunning islands spot the coastline of 30 kilometers. To the North lies the Sunshine Coast. Most of the breathtaking area is visible from the Sea to Sky highway. Donald Flather captured some of the spectacular views from the many viewpoints along the way. One of his favorite subjects of this series are the majestic Arbutus trees that permeate the mountain slopes. D.M. Flather successfully combines the natural beauty of this area with his own unique style and color presentation.

Human 1919 to 1965 (Warning - some nudity)

This series contains one of D.M. Flathers earliest paintings, entitled "Miss Sophia". He painted as many as 18 works in this series although some were left unfinished. They all seem to share beautiful flowers highlighted by the female form.

Miscellaneous (including untitled paintings) 1928 to 1981

This series contains a vast selection of paintings, many of which actually belong to other series by were not included by D.M. Flather in those series for one reason or another. Some did not have references on them when the collection was classified hence they fall into this category.

Some paintings in this collection show a real departure from his landscapes. Examples include works that are probably from his early trips to the Beaufort Sea of Newfoundland. You can see how this very early style led to the larger and more dramatic Baffin Island paintings of the 1980's.

The untitled oil painting (reference MI72) is a beautiful scene from the Little Qualicum River area on Vancouver Island that combines swirling back eddy waters and his early tree form style. Amongst this series are a number of sailboat scenes as well. Some of these are local and some are thought to be from Hawaii. oil paintings (reference MI47 and MI67) feature fantasy figures dancing over ponds. This may represent a recurring dream he had as a child.

New Series:

This series represents works that have been located in photograph collections etc, but have not been photographed when the collection was catalogued. Most are not dated, or titled, but some have obvious associations with particular Series.

Some of the images have been taken from slides, and thus don't appear as crisp as some of the other gallery images.

Dont rush. Spend the time and browse through each series in the collection. Each oil painting is a piece of Canadian History to be enjoyed by all.

Begin the New Series Tour

Northwest Territories 1938 to 1984

This series covers a number of different periods in Donald Flather's painting career. In the early (1938) painting titled "Onset of Winter" (near Radium Hot Springs), Donald M. Flather demonstrates his gentle flowing style. One of his more recent works, "Pulpit Rock", shows a more charged scene as heavy storm clouds loom overhead. Much like the Cascade Series, D.M. Flather used a series of bleached trees on a snow encrusted hilltop in the painting "Crowfoot Mountain". The highly abstracted "Spring Tundra" combines Flather's bright colors in a landscape, at a time in his life when abstracts were paramount.

Okanagan Series circa 1953 and prior

In this series, Donald was drawn to a particular Ponderosa Pine Tree at the side of the highway outside Penticton, BC. Apparently the Canadian Pacific Railway was drawn to this tree as well, as they heavily promoted their rail services to Easterners using this tree as one of the images of the West. Donald's painting titled "Desert and Sage" is an example of a strong abstraction of a landscape (probably near Osoyoos) that incorporates a "stripped down" landscape and bright colors. The series provides contrast between the semi-arid, desert like characteristic of the region with the abundance of lakes and vegetation near the lakes.

Plants 1944-1978

Donald was very much a botanist and horticulturist as much as he was a scientist, teacher and painter. Naturally, he found plants and flowers as subjects that would compliment his love of painting and his love of plants. Many paintings were derived from flowers in his Kerrisdale, B.C. home, or in the vicinity of his home. Others such as the paintings titled "Glacier Lilies" and "Autumn Sumach" clearly must have been sketched from regions far from home. The painting titled "Vine Maples - Mt. Rainier" is evidence of this.

Princeton / Nicola Valley / Kamloops 1956-1965

Donald loved the Autumn colors in this area, and painted at least a half dozen paintings incorporating Autumn Aspens or Autumn trees. However, he also liked the Spring and painted a painting titled "Spring Greens and Dandelion Lawns" in 1956. This is one of the many paintings residing with family or friends somewhere. Donald also saw the darker side of this region, which is always susceptible to forest fires. Very wet, snowy Winters lead to heavy Spring growth, which then turns tinder dry during hot summers. He painted several paintings showing the charred remains left behind from forest fires.

Purcell / Selkirk / Rocky Mountain Ranges 1940-1978

Many would argue that this Series is his strongest. It is certainly one of his most prolific, and he painted as many as 33 scenes from this region, according to Donald's original catalogue. Donald beautifully portrays Winter storm scenes (sketched hastily from Royal Canadian Air Force Flights), mountain peaks, lakes and trees in an abundance of color and style. Popular locations included Mt. Sir Donald, Mt. Robson, Eva Lake and Heather Lake. In these series, he combines elements of the glaciers in the Baffin Island series, Spruce tree forms and Autumn colors found in the Miscellaneous and Hope-Princeton Series, as well as elements not obviously present elsewhere (ie see the small Mt. Sir Donald Painting).

Shuswap / Adams Lake Area 1940 - 1974

This area of Central B.C. was obviously a region that impacted upon Donald. He spent many years here growing up as a little boy, and returned to the region in his later years to tend his Crispair Farm, located on the sides of the Shuswap Lake at Celista B.C.. Donald shows all aspects and seasons of the region from the cold, desolate barren looking Winter scene titled "The Lonely Miles" (which represents a friend's trapline), to the Summer storm in "Sorrento Storm", to the serene setting and beautiful, warm colors in "Sumach Time".

Surrealistic - Warning - Nudity

A real variety of images are present in this series. Most were painted in the 1970's. "Devil scans the news" provides some evidence of Donald's sense of humor.

Thompson River Region 1961 - 1974

Popular areas Donald painted in this area were Dallas and the Little Shuswap Area. Of course, river waters are a central theme, but paintings such as "South Thompson", feature Autumn Glory trees consistent with Donald's early tree forms and foliage treatment.

Vancouver Island 1947 - 1976 (Warning - some Nudity)

A few of Donald's strongest paintings appear in this small series. The "Storm over Sharpe Pt." painting is very unique to the collection and features darker tones than his other paintings. He successfully combines an image of a spirited woman with a Coastal landscape. "Morning Fog" - Cathedral Grove is one of his finest forest scenes, and really gives the viewer the sense of the damp, misty foggy morning giving rise to a warm and sunny day ahead. One of the paintings in the Miscellaneous Series ("Little Qualicum River") actually belongs to this series, and like "Morning Fog", shows glints of the sun shining in through the giant trees.

Abstract Circa 1960's, early 1970's

This series represents the largest number of paintings of any series. Donald felt free to explore many of his different ideas, unrestricted. Many paintings, such as "Fractured Atom" and "Abstract 93" reflect on his Scientific way of thinking. Others, such as "Flamoidea", and "Forest Fire at Night" have a destructive, fire theme. "Spirit of A-Frame" features geometric shapes, straight lines and shading, while others are probably abstractions of plants and flowers. Most are not dated, but some that are numbered later in the series are dated 1973-75, leading us to believe that the majority were painted in the 1960's and 1970's.

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