Image

New exhibit features Petrolia artist’s childhood home

August 16, 2014

When Diane Nelles mother was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, she knew she would have many more chances to go home again.

So the Petrolia watercolour artist began to capture pieces of her hometown of Nikina, north of Thunder Bay, during her visits home.

Now, she’s sharing those visual memories in a show called No Place Like Home at Victoria Hall in Petrolia which opened Tuesday.

Nelles first discovered her love of painting in high school growing up in Nikina. But raising a family and running a business took priority in her life and the painting was set aside. Then in 2003, “I picked up a paint brush and decided to paint a picture.”

Six years later, when her mom was diagnosed with cancer, painting had become her passion and she decided to use her talent. “Northern Ontario has always been my favourite topic, but I thought ‘I have to capture these little mementos from her house and her yard and the lake…because you always have the feeling I won’t see this again.’”

Nelles first takes photographs of the scene she wants to paint, so she happily snapped away taking pictures of simple things; bread coming out of the oven, a spice rack on the wall and her mother’s book shelf always neatly arranged with her beloved Canadian authors in the appropriate place. “I look at that and it will always remind me of her,” she says.

The Petrolia is the first time the majority of these paintings will be scene. But one, a small painting of blueberries, holds a special place in her heart. Nelles gave it as a gift to her mother before her death last year to let her see what she was doing.

“Painting memories of my home, the nearby lake, and personal memories of home have been my therapy these past five years, as well as the inspiration for this show.”

 

 

 

Share This

Image
Front Page

Petrolia’s Leighton joins Red Wings

July 10, 2025

Barry Wright/The Independent Michael Leighton is heading across the Detroit River to continue his coaching career. After three seasons as goaltending coach with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, the Petrolia native has been hired as the new goaltending coach with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Originally a sixth round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1999, he played more than 700

Read More

Image
Front Page

Campbell House likely to stand until fall: SCRCA

July 10, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent A year and a half after Brooke-Alvinston council gave up the battle to save Campbell House from demolition, it’s still standing. And officials with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority says it probably will be until at least the fall. The fate of the historic farm house at Alvinston’s AW Campbell Conservation Area has been hanging in

Read More

Image
Front Page

Classic cars on display in Alvinston

July 10, 2025

The Independent Well over 55 cars and antique tractors lined River Street in Alvinston on Sunday for the annual car show hosted by Brooke-Alvinston and the Alvinston Royal Canadian Legion branch. Despite the high temperatures, people stopped to look at some of the classics. The event is part of the community’s Canada Day celebrations.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Packed crowd for Florence Tractor Pull

July 10, 2025

The Independent The stands were full as hundreds came out to the Florence Tractor Pull on Friday, July 4. Here’s some pictures from the event:

Read More