Title of Artwork: Valley of the Flowers

Size of the Artwork: Framed, approximately 30"W x 23"H

Artist's Medium: Original watercolor

Artist’s Notes: Valley of the Flowers National Park, known for its meadows and alpine flowers, is located in West Himalaya in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers, orchids and a variety of flora. It was declared a National Park in 1982.

Gallery price: $250, framed as shown in image

Shipping Information: FOB Brampton, Ontario

Artist and author Ann Louise Smith had dreams of becoming an artist for many years, even though she had never touched a brush to canvas. In 1995, Ann joined an oil painting class in Florida. When she moved to Lindsay, Ont. in 1998, Ann went on to take art classes at The Lindsay Gallery, and travelled to P.E.I. for classes in watercolours and acrylics.

Ann Louise has compiled a book about her uncle Dr. Walter G. Anderson M.D.’s experiences during WWII, entitled “Canadian Missionary POW on the Death Railway”. Ann's mother Marion and uncle Walter were both born and raised in India by their parents in the early 1900’s. Uncle Walter later earned his B.A. and M.D. at the University of Toronto from 1924-34. In 1937, Walter's dreams of following in his parents footsteps came true when he was appointed to India as a Medical Missionary with the United Church of Canada, a position he filled for 39 years. During World War ll, however, Walter was inscripted by the British Indian Army, then taken prisoner by the Japanese for 3½ years on the Burma/Thailand Railway, where he attended to the sick and wounded.

Ann Louise’s art depicts scenes of India taken from her grandparent’s photos, found buried in trunks that remained unopened for 57 years.

Ann donated this original work to support the Mina Fund's efforts.