Signs of Spring

Irene McCaugherty was a self-taught artist and writer living in southern Alberta. She was born in Lethbridge, Alberta in 1914, and spent most of her life living in Fort Macleod, Alberta. Her folk-art paintings fancifully depict southern Alberta's pioneer days in the early 20th century. McCaugherty developed a unique style, often painting in a long and narrow aspect ratio while not conforming to traditional one-point perspective. McCaugherty also wrote a newspaper column for the Lethbridge Herald called 'Diary of a Farmer's Wife' and published three books of her stories, poetry, and paintings. In 1992, McCaugherty received an Alberta Achievement award, and in 1995 an Honourary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Lethbridge. Her art can be found in many important collections, such as the Galt Museum and Archives (Lethbridge), the Glenbow Museum (Calgary) and the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa).