It’s definitely difficult, possibly impossible to portray Canada in a limited series of images, but Portage la Prairie artist Yvette Cuthbert has come eerily close.

In celebration of Canada’s 150 birthday celebration, Cuthbert embarked on what can only be labeled an ambitious project to create 150 paintings of Canada, in predominantly red and white.

Each measuring a square foot, the Portage la Prairie artist’s brush strokes are on fire in the series she has thus far completed 140 pieces, the collection is a vivid portrait of the Canadian psyche.

Who cannot remember in our youth being taunted by friends to stick our tongue on a frost fence? 

The artist explains her personal challenge to select 150 topics for the project, “will re-kindle your memories.

“Canada is a country of wide diversity, physically and culturally.” Cuthbert said. “It was a challenge to narrow down to 150 topics from a palette as diversified as Canada. As a country we are about so much and I had to explore many different subjects to narrow it down to a list of only 150!”

150 paintings of Canada will teach visitors something new about Canada: did you know camels were used during the Gold Rush and Flin Flon has sewer boxes for homes built on solid rock? The paintings also help us revisit Canadian feelings about nature, landscapes, animals, sports and iconic everyday images like shovelling snow and historic sites.

It is almost impossible to capture the many Canadian icons that either helped build a nation or helped Canadians develop culturally, but the collection does an excellent job. Visitors stating ‘what about?…only makes the artist smile. “I know then they have enjoyed the display and are wrapped up in thinking about Canada, its history and how they remember it. That is a good feeling,” she said.

There is a sprinkling of images showing the Stanley Cup being hoisted – it could be anybody’s team – to Mr. Dress Up, the Friendly Giant, political figures, the Red Green Show and Bob and Doug McKenzie. “With 150 images there are sure to be a few that will touch you in some manner and make you proud of being a Canadian.”