Dorothy Elsie Knowles was born on April 6, 1927, in Unity, Saskatchewan. She spent her childhood dividing her time between her family's farm and the city of Saskatoon, experiences that fostered a lifelong appreciation for the landscapes of Western Canada.
Dorothy Knowles in her studio in 2019
Although she initially studied biology at the University of Saskatchewan in 1944, her career took a different direction after attending a summer art course at Emma Lake in 1948. The course, taught by Saskatchewan artist Reta Cowley and Ontario College of Art instructor James Frederick Finley, inspired Knowles to pursue painting professionally.
She continued her artistic education at the University of Saskatchewan, studying under Eli Bornstein, before furthering her studies at the Banff School of Fine Arts and the Goldsmith School of Art in London, England. While in Europe, she married fellow Canadian artist William Perehudoff in Paris in 1951. Perehudoff would later become one of Canada's leading Colour Field painters, while Knowles pursued a distinctly different artistic path centered on the landscape.
Showers, 1992 by Dorothy Knowles
One of the defining moments of Knowles' career came during the Emma Lake Artists' Workshops in northern Saskatchewan. The workshops brought internationally respected artists and critics together with Canadian painters, exposing participants to the latest developments in modern art.
At the 1962 workshop, influential American art critic Clement Greenberg encouraged Knowles to continue painting landscapes, even as abstraction dominated much of the contemporary art world. Knowles embraced the advice, developing a style that combined traditional observation with expressive brushwork.
Emma Lake remained central to her life and work. In 1969, she and Perehudoff purchased a cottage there and established studios, allowing Knowles to work directly from nature throughout the changing seasons.
Mountains in May, 1992 by Dorothy Knowles,
Dorothy Knowles is best known for her sweeping landscapes of Saskatchewan's rivers, forests, meadows, and open skies. While many artists rely heavily on studio work, Knowles preferred to paint outdoors whenever possible. Using her van as a portable studio, she created finished paintings, sketches, and photographic references while immersed in the landscape itself.
Dorothy Knowles remained devoted to painting throughout her life. Even into her nineties, she maintained an active studio practice, continuing to find inspiration in the landscapes she had loved since childhood.
Dark Shadows on the Far Shore, 1992 by Dorothy Knowles
When asked what five factors were most important to living a good life, she famously replied:
"Painting, painting, painting, painting, and painting."
That simple answer perfectly reflects a career defined by extraordinary dedication.
Dorothy Knowles' exceptional contributions to Canadian art were recognized with two of the country's highest civilian honours. In 1987, she was appointed to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the province's highest honour, recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural, social, or economic life of Saskatchewan. In 2004, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.), one of the nation's highest civilian honours, awarded to Canadians whose achievements and service have enriched the country. These prestigious distinctions recognized Knowles' lifelong dedication to landscape painting and her enduring influence on Canadian art.
Knowles passed away on May 16, 2023, at the age of 96, leaving behind one of the most significant bodies of landscape painting in Canadian art history. Her paintings continue to resonate with collectors, museums, and art lovers.
Dorothy Knowles occupies an important place in Canadian art history. While many artists of her generation turned toward abstraction, she remained committed to painting directly from nature, demonstrating that landscape painting could continue to evolve while remaining rooted in observation.
The Narrows at Waskesiu, 1992 by Dorothy Knowles
Works Cited
Canada Post. Canadian Painters: Dorothy Knowles. https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/.
The Canadian Encyclopedia. "Dorothy Knowles."
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dorothy-knowles.
Government of Canada. The Governor General of Canada: Order of Canada—Dorothy Elsie Knowles, C.M. https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients.
Government of Saskatchewan. Order of Merit Recipients: Dorothy Knowles.
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/honours-and-awards/order-of-merit.
Glenbow. "Artist Feature: Dorothy Knowles." Glenbow. July 16, 2024. https://www.glenbow.org/blog/artist-feature-dorothy-knowles/.
Remai Modern. "Dorothy Knowles." https://remaimodern.org/.
Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. "Dorothy Knowles, RCA." https://rca-arc.ca/.
University of Saskatchewan Archives and Special Collections. Dorothy Knowles Fonds. https://library.usask.ca/archives/.
Wikipedia Contributors. "Dorothy Knowles." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Knowles.