Artist Carol Weidman (née Freeman) passed away on November 30 in Ottawa.

Born in Montreal on July 17, 1942, Carol graduated from McGill University and the École des Beaux-arts de Montréal. Carol’s vibrant artistic talent was evidenced in her series of watercolour/mixed media paintings “Dancers in Motion,” for which she was best known. Her work was exhibited at galleries in Ottawa, Montreal and Washington, D.C., and her paintings are valued in private collections internationally. A gifted teacher, Carol taught watercolour and life drawing for over 20 years at the Ottawa School of Art, where she inspired her many students with her knowledge and passion for art.

“Carol Weidman was a teacher and friend for many years. We always had a good relationship, and it affected me greatly when she passed away this November,” recalled artist Janet Agulnik.

“I started painting with Carol many years ago in her home with a few other people; continuing at the Ottawa School of Art, where she was also a teacher and taught for 20 years. She had a unique way of teaching: very visual, many times using dancers moving to music, which caused me to simplify my brush strokes and eliminate unnecessary details. Her use of ink with the watercolour was something that I took to immediately, and use very often to enhance and give detail to my paintings… Even today, as a watercolour teacher myself, I still use many of the techniques I learned from Carol. She was a devoted teacher and wanted all her students to be successful,” Janet added.

Carol was predeceased by her husband, Canadian diplomat and civil servant H. Lyon Weidman, and her parents, Jack and Dorothy Freeman (née Bloomfield). She is survived by her daughter, composer Alyssa Ryvers, her sister, Wendy Weinberger (Roy), and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Image 1: Artist Carol Weidman (click on image to see full resolution).

Image 2: “Ricardo in three positions” by Carol Weidman.