Lindsay Evans  (1891 — 1976).

Lindsay Evans was born in Boston, November 22nd, 1891.  At the age of 16 he entered the Pape School of Fine Arts in Boston, from which he graduated at the age of 18.  His art career was interrupted at this point when his parents left to homestead in Western Canada.  Lindsay decided in 1910, to pioneer also and for 30 years he became a rancher and farmer rather than a painter -- first at Monitor, Alberta and later in the Early District south of Kitscoty. Eventually the family moved to Lloydminster.  Lindsay had married a Welsh girl, Agnes Williams and they had six children.  

Later in his career, Lindsay drew on his recollections of ranch life, to paint a series of pictures depicting the "Hard Winter of 1919-20", when ranchers sustained heavy losses due to severe snow and storm conditions.

While Lindsay sometimes referred to himself as a cowboy artist, his works contained much that was of an historic nature.  Local heroes, such as the R.C.M.P. in scarlet tunics, a prominent ball player, and local pioneer senior citizens; these portraits were his hallmark. There were pictures of roads, streets and back alleys around Lloydminster in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.  He portrayed the oil fields, the highway, farm and homestead scenes.  In this sense his works are an historical record of a particular era in Alberta history.

In 1940, Evans went overseas with an Engineers Demolition Corps.  After sketching an old mill, Private Evans was commissioned by Military Headquarters to sketch and paint items of Military Action.  One of the paintings “Sappers Night Shift” was hung in the “National Portrait Gallery,” London.  He was commissioned to paint General McNaughton and this portrait was hung in Canadian Military Head­quarters, London.  In 1944, while on command with the war artists, Evans was detailed to do a mural at Earl’s Court, London.

The friendship between Lindsay Evans and A. Y. Jackson developed as a result of visits by both, to the Morrill farm on the Nicolet River.   Lindsay’s Great Grandparents, on his Mother’s side, (the Morrills) had been United Empire Loyalists, settling near Danville, Quebec in the Eastern townships.  The friendship was interrupted in 1906 when the two went their separate ways, but in 1951 it was re-newed when they met again at the home of Prof. H. G. Glyde.  The friendship continued with visits and by correspondence until Jackson’s death in 1974. After his death, Naomi Jackson Groves continued the correspondence and was instrumental in having Lindsay record his early memories of the Young  A. Y. Jackson, which she then published in booklet form in 1982.  This script is in the National Museum in Ottawa.  Also, Evans, at Naomi’s request, catalogued some of A. Y. Jackson’s work that he discover in and around Vancouver.

After World War II, Lindsay worked for some six years on the night shift at a gas bar on Highway 16, entering Lloydminster. He next worked as a night clerk at the Prince Charles Hotel, and always he painted in his spare time.  In 1971, 29 of Lindsay Evans works were chosen by the Saskatchewan Arts Board to be included in the Homecoming ‘71 Art Display of Saskatchewan Art, held in Regina and later toured the Province. Evans won awards for his work at Provincial Art Exhibitions held in Regina and Saskatoon on many occasions. 

Pictures by Evans were chosen by the Saskatchewan Department of Government Services for an Art Show in the Legislative Buildings.  Some of his western scenes were purchased by the Saskatchewan Provincial Archives.