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McCarthy was born in Calgary Alberta on July 7, 1910. She moved to Toronto, with her family at the age of 3. McCarthy studied art at the Ontario College of Art and graduated in 1930. She received tutelage or mentorship from Group of Seven painters, A. Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald and Lawren Harris. This powerhouse of artists greatly influenced her painting style. McCarthy is celebrated for her breathtaking landscape paintings and her stunning renditions of Artic Icebergs. Her collection includes landscape paintings from every province and territory across Canada. In 1932, McCarthy started teaching at Central Technical School, Toronto, where she influenced young and aspiring artists for 40 years. After retirement, McCarthy continued to be a mentor for artists; however, she primarily focused on creating her paintings, and traveling for inspiration. McCarthy also studied English at the University of Toronto in Scarborough and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. This in turn resulted in penning, three autobiographical books, A Fool in Paradise, The Good Wine, and Ninety Years Wise. McCarthy was the first woman to hold the position of President at the Ontario Society of Artists, and was given many accolades including the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. In 2004, The University of Toronto at Scarborough also honoured her contributions, by creating the Doris McCarthy Gallery. McCarthy donated her beloved place of residence, in the Scarborough Bluffs of Toronto, to the Ontario Heritage Trust, so that artists can use it as an inspirational studio space. McCarthy passed away November 25, 2010 at the age of 100.
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