Brittney Tough’s painting ‘Royal HBC’ has been chosen to be part of King Charles III’s Royal Collection. Tough’s watercolour was among 25 other pieces by Canadian artists added this year. The painting features an iconic Hudson‘s Bay blanket.
“It was always a dream for me to get into the Royal Collection,” said Tough. “I thought because the blanket has such a rich history in Canada and it brings up so much nostalgia for a lot of people that it would just be really symbolic to create that particular quilt to submit to the Royal Collection.”
Tough specializes in painting images of textiles and has done a few Hudson‘s Bay blankets but in the one accepted into the Royal Collection, she included dark shadows and she’s happy with the way it turned out.
“Yeah absolutely,” she said. “More happy as I’ve analyzed it, in hindsight reflecting on that painting I feel like there’s a lot more mystery to it than I really set out to make.”
Tough is alongside some prestigious artists in the Royal Collection which boasts over a million objects. It’s described as one of the world’s most significant art collections with works by artists like Michelangelo and Da Vinci.
“Obviously it’s an honour and it’s a huge accolade in my career that is very rare,” she said. “I’m this artist who’s been hustling at this for 20 years and you know you get these little milestone moments that say, good job, keep going.”
The British Royal Family has a longstanding cultural connection with Canadian watercolour artists and this brings the total number of Canadian pieces in the collection to 100 watercolours.
Jean Pederson is an artist who had a piece in 2000 that was accepted into the Royal Collection and she had the opportunity to meet then Prince Charles who accepted over a dozen watercolours by Canadian artist on behalf of the Queen.
“When I received the news that I had a piece go, I was over the moon,” said Pederson. “I think it was 15 pieces at that time that went in and we had the opportunity to exhibit in Canada House.”
Pederson was one of the 15 judges who picked the winners out of 86 pieces that were submitted. Calgary artists Nadien Cole and David Cadman also had their pieces accepted into the Royal Collection.
“We paint because we have to,” said Pederson. “Because it’s part of us, it fills our soul, it’s what we’re good at and it is a hard road but when somebody gives you some kind of credit for the work you’ve put in, it does make it all feel like it’s worthwhile.”
Tough is known for painting images of textiles and keeps busy with commissions from people wanting a watercolour of a heirloom quilt.
“I think this has lit a fire under my butt to paint a lot,” she said. “I have some commissions on the go and I’ve got a show coming up in March that I’m planning to do and I also teach watercolor as well, so I’ve got a lot to keep me busy.”
Learn more about Tough’s work here: ww.brittneytough.com
