I would like to inform my supporters what has happened and would like
to give my side of the story. Interestingly enough, although I was at the
centre of attention, few of the media sought my views on the issues, and
reacted mainly to others' ideas.
I hung the show two days before the Tour. Our contact, François Leduc, had said he would be there, but did not show up. We hung a beautiful looking show after many hours work.
The next afternoon, less than 24 hours before the start of the Tour, I received
a call about a problem. I had no idea what the
problem could be. Seven of the 26 paintings were deemed unsuitable for the family
oriented Visitors Centre, and had to be removed. I was astounded! Francois said
that he personally found only one painting at the entrance a problem, but his
boss, Michel Charbonneau felt that all seven had to go. I agreed with Francois
that moving the one at the entrance would be okay, but removing the others was
unwarranted. He and his colleagues went to the Visitors Centre together to view
the works, then called back to insist that all seven be removed. I requested
the reason why these seven were unsuitable, but was told that they were just
not acceptable for families. I suggested waiting until a visitor actually complained,
covering the offending parts of the paintings with leaves or black rectangles,
or posting a warning sign. These were rejected. When I asked what would happen
if I wouldn't take them down, François reminded me that we only had a
verbal agreement, implying that I would not be allowed to show any paintings.
This is the "amicable agreement" that NCC spokesmen referred to in the press!
I disagreed with their decision, but my main purpose is for people to see my
art, and I did not want to jeopardize the Tour in any way. I replaced the seven
framed, ready for sale paintings with unframed works on paper, which while it
made a nice display, could hardly be expected to sell. 
The offending paintings are shown here. Judge for yourself!
freely
discussed this with their visitors, which included reporters for "The West
Quebec Post" and "The Ottawa Citizen". They were outraged that the NCC had banned
such beautiful paintings, interviewed me, and took pictures and did front page
stories about the incident (the paintings were acceptable for the front
page of newspapers, but not for families visiting the Centre). I received several
calls for interviews over the phone for radio and television. A supporter wrote
a letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen the last day of the Tour, and the
paper included another photograph beside it. In all of the stories, the NCC was
always talking about our "amicable agreement" but never said what it was.
At no time did I ever "leak" the incident to anyone. When the media called
to ask questions, I answered them honestly. 
The
NCC representative was not present when the show was hung as promised, which
could have caught the "problem" before I went to all the effort of hanging the
show. I am a professional and ensure that all of my displays are professional
and visually appealing. This is more than just hanging pictures on a wall, the
exhibition as a whole must be the best I can do.
While we only had a verbal agreement at the time, as far as I know,
verbal agreements are perfectly legal in Quebec. I took the paintings down
because, as I said before, I want people to enjoy my art and did not want
to jeopardize the Tour. At no time did I consider legal action, or protesting
to keep the pictures up. I am not a person who seeks confrontation or attention
(other than I want everyone to enjoy my art).
I did have paintings to replace the seven that were taken down. Also exhibiting with me at the Visitors Centre was Sculptor Raymond Warren. His whimsical ceramic sculptures are all naked and anatomically correct. If the NCC objected to his works, he would have had nothing to display. Had other of the Tour artists decided to display there, they would be in the same situation. The Tour is a major yearly marketing opportunity for many of the artists, who work for a year preparing for this show. It potentially could jeopardize an entire years income.
The NCC was wrong to have insisted the paintings be removed. They have never admitted this, and have not apologized, even though their actions jeopardized potential sales of my work, wasted hours of my time and cast unfavourable aspersions on my reputation.
My paintings are meant to inspire peace, movement and balance. I often
use classical themes based in nature without reference to time or culture,
and highly stylized techniques. My style is somewhat naïve. I am a
figurative painter. People are typically in my paintings, usually clothed,
but sometimes not. As soon as you introduce clothing, it places the image
in a cultural and time frame. My series "Aquatica" (from which five of
the banned paintings come) was this classical representation of mankind
in harmony with nature using elements of water. The figures are innocently
placed in everyday activities (carrying water, swimming, playing music,
cooking) and contain no sexual overtones whatsoever.
To this day I have received no complaints whatsoever (other than from
the NCC) about the banned paintings (or any of my paintings) - ever!
Should the NCC be able to censor what is shown in the Visitors Centre? This is a much more difficult question for which I don't have a universal answer. It is not just the NCC's Centre - it belongs to all the citizens of Canada. They should have very strong reasons (stronger than one managers personal opinion) before they deprive the public of the opportunity to view art if the public wishes.
If they do have these strong reasons, above all, they should be documented, and available to anyone who may even be considering exhibiting in the Centre, before any effort is expended to set up a display. They should also be developed with public input and subject to public comment.
I have still not been told what was offensive about my paintings. I assume it was the naked breasts that were present in most of the paintings. Yet my co-exhibitor's sculptures had penises, and he received no comment from the NCC. Is the NCC saying that penises are okay, but women's breasts are not? It is all very unclear to me. Their guidelines should be public and held up to some kind of common standard and application.
The NCC should decide if they will have guidelines for artists for future shows, and if so, develop them with public input. I hope that this incident will not discourage them from allowing other artists to display in their Visitors Centre, or in supporting the Studio Tour in the future.
Other than for this incident, the NCC, and especially François Leduc and his employees were most helpful in arranging this exhibit. The Visitors Centre is an excellent venue for art shows. The exhibition space is well designed, well lit, has full facilities, has walk-in traffic, is easy to find and is close to Ottawa. The collaboration of artists and the NCC should benefit everyone concerned.
Above all, I would like people to see and enjoy my work. When I paint,
I have the excitement of creating something that's going to make my heart
beat and be happy. In the end, that's all I want to create, a good feeling
for life and for things. That's what I believe and that's what I want to
pass, when I paint, to people.