Egyptian oil paintings featured in guest gallery at Victoria Park Gallery

Ron Nickles of London created some beautiful Egyptian oil paintings which are now hanging in the guest gallery at the Victoria Park Gallery for the month of July.

Nickles was born in London, one of five children in a tough, working-class family. He was raised in the Great Depression and against the backdrop of the Second World War.

His artistic talent shone at an early age, but like so many young men in that era, he left school at age 16 to help support his household and earn a living. He became an industrial welder for Dennisteel Corp. Ltd., and later, General Motors Diesel.

When he wasn't working or helping raise a young family, he pursued interests including cars (even owning and racing a stock car in his early 20s) and music (piano, guitar and accordion).

In the late 1960s, he began to seriously explore his lifelong interest in visual arts. He studied painting at Fanshawe College, and his interest exploded into a passion for working in oil paint, watercolour and pen and ink. People asked to buy his work.

In 1975, due to growing demand, he left General Motors to paint full-time and with his wife, Joan, opened an art studio and retail store in the Village of Komoka, just west of London. He also illustrated and published a book, "Lobo Township Sketches," with local historian Ron Davis.

Nickles' store, "Nick's Village Art Shoppe," was well-known in the area for 25 years, until he retired the business side in the late 1990s and moved his studio home. He produced countless works that hang in homes, businesses and public spaces in the London area and well beyond. Five of his historical works hang in London's Byron Library, commissioned by local historian Roy Kerr.

His works show versatility, both in medium and subject matter. Although he found working in oil paint the most rewarding, he was equally talented in watercolour, pen and ink, and pastel. He specialized in bringing back to life the region's lost and forgotten historical buildings, and also explored pastoral and rural scenes, vintage Second World War airplanes, still life, portraiture and book illustration.

In his later years, Nickles also explored his keen interest in ancient Egyptian history and art. His creativity, kindness and laughter are fondly remembered by his family, clients and friends in the community.

He died in 2011, but his wife, who lives in Kincardine, wanted to share his Egyptian works with the Kincardine community.

Meanwhile, a silent auction has begun for 16 pieces of work by Victoria Park Gallery artists. Drop into the gallery and place a bid on your favourite artwork.

The auction runs now until Aug. 27, at 2 p.m., when the winning bids will be drawn at the Marine Heritage Festival.

Located in the Kincardine Arts Centre in downtown Kincardine, the Victoria Park Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 3 p.m.