D.I. McLeod art collection

The Vandewater Family has one of the largest collection of D.I. McLeod paintings outside of the Bank of Nova Scotia with about 35 in our collection.

Both Jim and Tom collected them from a wide variety of sources and continue to add to the collection from time to time.  Eight paintings were donated to Queen’s University Smith School of Business where Tom completed his undergrad and D.I. McLeod was a long time trustee of the school.

Donald Ivan McLeod was one of the founders of McLeod Young Weir in 1921 and retired about four years before Jim Vandewater started at the firm in 1955. In addition to his investing skills, he was also an accomplished artist.

While always considering himself an amateur he would go on painting excursions with the likes of A.Y. Jackson and Manly MacDonald. Sir Fredrick Banting, a fellow ‘amateur’ more famous away from his easel, went on several painting trips with D.I.

He never sold his paintings, but would give them away to friends and colleagues as priceless gifts and have ended up around the world. Each painting has its own story – just ask!

Riverside Chat, Oil on Board, 10×12 inches, Gift from Tony Corson to Jim Vandewater.

Log Cabin, Oil on Board, 10×12 inches, Gift from Tony Corson to Jim Vandewater.

Sail Boats in Harbour, Oil on Board, 16×20 inches, Originally a gift from D.I. McLeod to Rolph Reesor Corson, then gifted by his daughter-in-law Marleigh Corson to Jim Vandewater.

Harbour Scene, Oil on Board, 12×10 inches, Originally owned by W.E. Young of McLeod, Young, Weir & Co., Ltd.

Country Road – Spring, Oil on Board, 12×16, Originally owned by W.E. Young of McLeod, Young, Weir & Co., Ltd.

Country Road – Winter, Oil on Board, 10×12 inches, Originally owned by W.E. Young of McLeod, Young, Weir & Co., Ltd.

Pines and Birches, Oil on Board, 12×16 inches, Unknown owners, found in Australia. Gift from Tom Vandewater to Jim Vandewater on reaching 50 Years at McLeod, Young, Weir / ScotiaMcLeod.

Haying Time, Oil on Board, 12×16 inches, Unknown owners, found in Australia. Shown at Arts Club in 1948. Gift from Tom Vandewater to Jim Vandewater on reaching 50 Years at McLeod, Young, Weir / ScotiaMcLeod on October 3, 2005.

Indian Village of Caughnawagna, Oil on Board, 1940, 12×16. Caughnawagna is now called Kahnawake and is across the river south of Montreal. Originally a gift to Lorne Pierce (Editor of Ryerson Press 1920-1960) from D.I. McLeod.

Fishing Boat on Dock, Oil on Canvas, 20×24, Originally a gift to Lorne Pierce (Editor of Ryerson Press 1920-1960) from D.I. McLeod.

Bright Red Jib, Oil on Canvas, 18×20, found in San Diego.

Scene Near Toronto, Oil on Board, 12×14,

House in Lanesville, Mass., Oil on Board, 10×12, Unknown owners, found in Idaho.

Old Log House, Woodbridge, Ont., Oil on Board, 10×12, found in Idaho.

Winter Cabin, Oil on Wood, 10×12, found in Idaho.