Better than paint-by-numbers

Doris Sims (Thompson) could be the female equivalent of Rembrandt in depicting wildlife with originals and lithographs. And what's more she lives about three miles from the Ol' Homestead where I have been known to be a serious paint-by-numbers 'artist.'
For years, I had often passed by her place on Salmon River Road, always muttering to myself, "Someday, I am going down that dirt road and just see who D. Sims (Thompson) really is and what her wildlife art studio is really like." Well, I finally did.
However, if I thought D. Sims was going to be an arrogant and eccentric artist, then I was completely taken aback.
After I introduced myself, a very modest Doris escorted me into her 'gallery' of magnificent paintings that range from ducks to bears to timber wolves, with price tags in the reasonable neighborhood of $400-$500 and sometimes a tad more.
For some time, I pondered over her books of art, and then it was time to leave this artistic sanctuary.
A hour or so later, however, she drove to the Ol' Homestead with her bio.
This is some of what I found out about this brilliant painter:
Doris Sims was born in 1944 in Grande Prairie, Alberta and at an early age she developed an attachment to animals and as a result, dragged home every stray she could lay her hands on. Sometime during her teenage years, Doris moved to Red Deer and spent as much time as possible on her uncle's farm near Pine Lake. This increased her affection and deepened her admiration for animals. She spent many hours in the presence of farm animals and observing wildlife.
Doris painted and sold a few paintings in her early 20s, but a husband and a home took precedence over her art work. The power of the canvas and the urge to paint her beloved subjects was, in the latter years of 1980, too great and she finally conceded to pursue a career as a wildlife painter.
In a short time her work was purchased by oil field companies, private, and corporate collectors. Her art has graced the covers of magazines (Alberta Fish and Wildlife) and many illustrations accompanied the written word in various publications. He art also was and continues to be featured on Christmas cards. Her work has also appeared in shows and exhibitions throughout Alberta. In 1990, "Golden Pond -- Mallards" was selected by Ducks Unlimited and Alberta Government Fish and Wildlife to appear on Alberta's second bird game stamp. In 1992 the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation-Canada made her their Regal Artist of the Year (1993) for "Spirits of Nature."
In the summer of 1993, Doris and her husband, Roger Thompson, moved to the Salmon Arm district of B.C. and in May 1994 her painting of a Snow Leopard and kittens won third place in an art competition held yearly through "Ducks Unlimited" for all of B.C.
While Doris should glory in her artistic achievements, she showed her modest side with these words: "My greatest goal is to keep learning, keep improving and, hopefully, people get as much satisfaction from my paintings as I get doing them."
She readily admit there has been a down time in her work in the last few years, but she said there have been strong incentives to continue her work.
Then she added these words: "It takes years to become a good artist and I am just beginning. I am both pleased and surprised it went this far as fast. Now I would like to get a lot more into wildlife photographing as well and, of course, ducks. Keep improving with art work and help with the preservation of wildlife when I can."
Doris Sims (Thompson) can be reached at 250-379-2706
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IT'S SHOWTIME: In one of the most rustic settings in B.C., 'The I.O.U. Land' is playing at the Caravan Farm Theatre in the Armstrong area (check out www.caravanfarmtheatre.com. for details) every night at 7:30 p.m. except Mondays until August 21. It's a new play with music by Linz Kenyon and based on Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle. So what's the jest of it, pardner? Well, rodeo champion Sam Wolf loses his land in a game of poker ... His lawyer son Billy is supposed to win it back ... Like a chuckwagon wreck at the Calgary Stampede, everything goes wrong. Hey, there's more on the billboard: Star-crossed lovers on the run, murder, betrayal, wild riding cowgirls, enchanted poker games, the Custer longknife, a ring of fire and a sleep of 20 years. I'm going to check it out on Saturday nightl. If you want tickets, call (250) 546-8533 or toll free at 1-866-546-8533.
THAT'LL COST YOU: Did you know that Classic Collectibles (www.classicauctions.net/) holds the record for top prices obtained for a game worn jersey (1973 Bobby Orr -- $135,000 USD), for a Stanley Cup ring (1961 Bobby Hull -- $85,000 USD), for a game used hockey stick (1971 Jean Beliveau -- $17,500 USD) and for a Stanley Cup trophy (1957 Jean Beliveau -- $42,000 USD)?