Mark Making: A Canadian treasure
This exhibit explores historic artists who have worked or lived in Scugog, and what marks they have left through their artwork.
Jimmie Frise
Frise is an artist that is held in high esteem at Scugog Shores Museum. Born in Port Perry in 1890, he had a passion and skill for art. Without formal training, his work brought joy to many Canadians.
Life's Little Comedies 'The Advisory Committee Lands A Big One' by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Working in Toronto
At 20, Frise was inspired by an article in the Toronto Star discussing the virtues of rural life over city life. He drew up a cartoon and mailed it to the Toronto Star. They liked it so much that they published it and hired Frise to join the Art Department.
Frise started the comic series "Life's Little Comedies". He took inspiration from the small town life of Port Perry, and brough it into Toronto.
Birdseye Center logo by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
"Life's Little Comedies" eventually evolved into the beloved Canadian comic series “Birdseye Center” which lasted 25 years.
Birdseye Center
Birdseye Center was described as a place of “no shadow, no breath of all the mischief of the world penetrated the kindly homely mischief of the little village where life was lived as it should be” – Gregory Clark.
Do Not Pass On Hill by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Other Artwork
Frise created more than comics for the Toronto Star. He drew advertisements and even some election posters. Regardless of the topic, there was always a sense of humour in his work.
Playing Cards by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
There were also more personal works that were reserved for friends and family, like recreating a family game night ...
Merry from the Frises by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
... or sending out custom Christmas cards.
Something to look out for in Frise's work is the loyal pet moose, Foghorn. An unlikely, but welcome Canadian friend.
Frise 1919 (1919) by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
World War I
In 1916, at age 25, Frise joined the war efforts by enlisting in the 69th Battery, C. F. A. He was then transferred overseas to serve in the 43rd Battery, C. F. A., where he was a horse driver delivering ammunition.
Up the Line - With the Best of Luck X976.259.8 by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Throughout this time, he kept drawing and did his best to share humor in situations that were so bleak.
The Daily Grooming X976.259.8 by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
He could create something to make light of the situation.
And he even showed there was some fun to be had.
Jimmie Frise Art (July 19th, 1936) by Frise, JimmieScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Frise was discharged from the military due to an injury to his hand. Luckily, it was not his drawing hand, so the art continued!
Frise and Clark "Dunked" (c. 1930s) by Frise, JimmieScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Gregory Clark
During Frise's time at the Toronto Star, he worked with Gregory Clark and the two of them became close friends.
Clark was the voice for the characters in Frise’s illustrations.
Vice Versa by Jimmie Frise and Gregory ClarkScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Art Imitating Life
Clark and Frise also turned their real life adventures into art and stories of their own.
From Toronto to Montreal
Clark and Frise would later leave the Toronto Star together and join the Montreal Standard in 1947. They weren’t allowed to continue working with the title Birdseye Center, but they couldn’t leave their characters behind.
Juniper Junction by Jimmie FriseScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Juniper Junction
So, they took the essence of Birdseye Center and created a new series called Juniper Junction. They continued creating comics together until Frise's passing in 1948.
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