1

Maud Lewis
1964
Marshalltown, Digby County, Nova Scotia

2

Maud (1903 - 1970)

Maud Dowley was born March 7, 1903 in South Ohio, Yarmouth County. She suffered birth defects leaving her with stooped shoulders. After her parents death Maud moved to Digby to reside with her aunt. Maud married Everette Lewis January 16, 1938. Everette, a fish peddler, owned a small one room house on the Marshalltown Road.
Maud was introduced to art by her mother, who instructed her in the making of watercolour Christmas Cards. She continued painting during her years with Everette, and despite her crippling rheumatoid arthrites painted many scenes during this time. Maud surrounded herself with art, painting her windows, doors and even her stove. Physically suffering and living in impoverished conditions, her paintings were always bright and joyful. Maud died in 1970.

3

Everett and Maud Lewis
1964
Marshalltown, Digby County, Nova Scotia

4

Everett and Maude (Dowley) Lewis in the 1960's.

Everett was born December 16, 1894, North Range, Digby County and died January 1, 1979.

5

Maud Lewis House
1964
Marshalltown, Digby County, Nova Scotia

6

Located in Marshalltown this one room house, without power, or running water, was the home of Maude and Everett (Dowley) Lewis.

Local newspaper, the Digby Mirror - November 19, 1980, stated that the house is in very poor condition. It was acquired last month by the Maude Lewis Painted House Society. Purchase price for the house and copyrights was $11,000, of which $5,000 was provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Culture, Recreation and Fitness. During the winter the house was covered by a protective wooden cover which actually caused a lot of damage because it allowed moisture to remain inside.

The Maude Lewis house was purchased and relocated by the province in 1984 tothe Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, where it can still be seen today (2004).

7

Maud Lewis painted stove
1964
Marshalltown, Digby County, Nova Scotia

8

The stove in this picture is one example of Maud's talent as a folk artist. Maud decorated just about everything in her small home.