Gene Canning, has always been an avid outdoorsman. He didn't start painting until 1990, but his knowledge of the outdoors has enabled him to recreate detailed realistic interpretations of the rural world in which he lives. "I look at the world a lot different now. I am always looking at the compositions nature makes, or the way light hits something. It all fascinates me. Painting has opened my eyes to the world".

Gene is most known for his paintings of sporting dogs, but he thinks of himself as a painter of the rural world. In addition to sporting dogs, Gene paints people in rural and natural settings.   He also paints a variety of wildlife, including some African scenes,   " I paint what I know, I feel it adds to the realness to my paintings". Most of the landscapes Gene uses in his paintings can be found right in his own backyard, which includes three ponds, a stream, a hardwood forest, and a lot of very rocky terrain. Gene is an avid conservationist. As well as supporting his own mini ecosystem he been instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for many conservation and health related organizations including Ducks Unlimited, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Operation Migration, and a variety of health related charities.
Gene is quickly becoming recognized as one of Canada's premier artists. His list of accomplishments has been growing rapidly, most significantly:
HOST of the new weekly WPBS TV program "Journeys of An Artist". A nationally released travel show on PBS television. Gene will travel around the world with various guest artists talking about the places they travel and how it inspires them to create their art. "Travel through the eyes of an artist".
  • PBS television has produced a half hour documentary of his life and work. Produced in 2000 the show documents the early years of Gene's career.
  • Gene has included in the prestigious reference book "Canada's Who's Who" produced by University of Toronto Press.
  • In 2003 Gene is to be included in "Who's Who in Executives and Professionals" registered with the U.S. Library of Congress.
  • He has also been featured on such television stations as, CBS, ABC, City TV and by a variety of newspapers and radio stations.
  • One of Gene's paintings has also been chosen to become part of Canada's State Art Collection. This painting presently hangs in Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson.
  • Member of the Wildlife and Nature Artists Group and Associate Member of The Society of Animal Artists
  • Host of a four day TV auction on PBS television. Gene hosts this live auction each year. With more than 2 million potential viewers watching the auction; Gene interviews the donating artists that come to the studio. He also speaks about each of the pieces of art that come up for auctionand about the artists that created them.
  • Listed in the 2006 Cambridge Biographical Society of Who's Who
CANNING GALLERIES
Gene is also the owner of Canning Galleries in downtown Peterborough, Ontario. This gallery displays not only Gene's work, but an impressive collection of originals and prints from some of Canada's most distinguished artists.

Gallery Address:
239 George St. N.
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3G7

Phone: 1-705-745-8736
Fax: 1-705-745-5647