Daniel, P. Izzard
Painter, (1949-2018)
Daniel J. Izzard, R.C.A. and an Honours graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, immigrated to Canada from Ireland with his parents in 1955.
After graduation, Izzard became interested in another visual medium; film. Through the seventies and eighties he worked as a scenic contractor, set designer, art director, scenic painter, production manager and assistant director in Feature Film, Documentary and the Television Commercial Industry. Ultimately, he became a Director Cameraman. Throughout this period, he won many awards including a ‘World’s Best’ at the Hollywood Radio and Television Society in Los Angeles. At the pinnacle of his success, Izzard decided to shift his focus from film to focus completely on his painting.
Izzard’s paintings have a timeless quality. He used atmosphere and light to create a three-dimensional world on a two dimensional surface. Not unlike the stories told through moving pictures, his paintings are the perfect inspiration for one to imagine themselves living or visiting the scenes in his paintings. Daniel referred to his landscapes as ‘placescapes’. He captured the intense beauty of rural France and Italy and along with iconic depictions of the Canadian wilderness. Some of his paintings included living creatures, including portraits of his favourite friends – donkeys, cows, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats and even bison.
A senior member of the Canadian Institute of Portraits Artists since 2000, Daniel has captured the personalities of numerous individuals and family relationships on canvas in portrait. Notable commissions include Kathleen Turner, as Claudia, for the movie “Fairy Godmother” and Margaret Wilson, Chair, The Ontario Teachers’ Federation. Izzard was frequently invited to paint portraits for private collectors across North America and Europe.
Izzard received numerous Awards & Special Recognitions throughout his career. Notable accomplishments include the receipt of six Bessie Awards, a Gold Medal at the Marketing Awards for the World Wildlife Fund, a Silver Medal at the Worldfest in Houston, a Bronze Award at New York Festivals, a Silver Award at the Mobius Awards in Chicago and a Merit Award at the Art Directors Club of Toronto, Annual Awards Ceremony.
Izzard’s work can be found in notable public and private collections across Canada including BMO Harris Private Banking, Dupont Canada, The Princess Margaret Hospital, The Toronto Symphony, Live Entertainment Corp, Tourism Toronto, Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Association, the Montreal Canadians Hockey Team and Canada Concours Musical de France.
In addition to his painting, Izzard also spent the last years of his life as a mentor of students, teaching Colour and Design at OCAD University in Toronto, where his formal training began.
Daniel began exhibiting his work at Harbour Gallery in the year 2000. His realistic paintings of the most beautiful locations in Canada and Europe have inspired us for more than 18 years. We are grateful to have shared in the legacy of his painting and to know that through his art, he will continue to be remembered and celebrated.