A Brush Full of Colour: The World of Ted Harrison

Gr 3–6—An outstanding, well-organized biography about the life of Ted Harrison, one of Canada's most recognized and popular painters. The book chronicles the man's life, from his birth in the coal mining town of Wingate, County Durham, England, where his father gave him pencil and paper and told him to draw; to art school and military service post-World War II, which gave him the opportunity to see the world; to teaching art in Malaysia; and finally immigrating to Canada and combining all the designs and techniques he had seen around the world and finding his own style. Harrison vowed that his paintings would only depict positive images. He developed a colorful, vibrant technique that reflected the joys of life. While many love his work, others are more critical. However, Harrison remains upbeat: "'We must be who we are in everything we do, no matter what others say.'" This book is filled with quotes from Harrison and examples of his work, all demonstrating his love for vivid colors and flowing lines.