Listed Canadian Artist: (1911-1974)
Sight Size: h. 12" by w. 27”, Acrylic on Masomite.
Frame Size: h. 21" by w. 34". Original from Adrian's painting framer.
Titled & Dated Verso: “With Strings Attached”, ca. 1950
Back of Frame: All new hanging hardware with epoxy mounted felt bumper pads.
Signed Recto: by the Artist lower left
Condition: Clean and varnished with no condition issues.
An Astute Observation: One of Doug's finer impressionist paintings.

A note of interest: Known for his many marine subjects, Adrian's painting technique has been described as... “creating a brightness, or feeling of presence of light, no matter how dark or fogbound the colours of the setting may be. He created paintings that glow with a subtle brilliance in their colours.” Adrian’s palette contained over 40 shades of grey, specifically developed by him.

Adrian Darley Dingle RCA

 

 

 

*** "Net Frame, Neil's Harbour, Cape Breton Island"

      *** "Return to Folly Cove, Cape Ann"

           *** "Quarry Sails"

               *** "Autumn Leaves"

 

Adrian was born in Wales in 1911 and came to Canada in 1914 with his parents, settling in Oakville, Ontario. During his art student years he studied art under J.W. Beatty at OCA as well as in London, England at Goldsmith's College of art. When he returned to Canada he became a regular exhibitor at the OSA annual showings.

Known for his marine subjects, his technique has been described as “ ... creating a brightness, or feeling of presence of light, no matter how dark or fogbound the colours of the setting may be, presenting paintings that glow with brilliant colour.” Adrian’s palette contained over 40 shades of grey developed by him.

Many of Adrian's paintings were completed in oils but he also worked in acrylic and his artistic output was said to be between 150 to 200 paintings a year. During the summer he enjoyed travelling to the east coast, sometimes with fellow artist Hilton Hassell, to paint the eastern ports and other seaside activities. He also painted in France, Portugal, Spain, the British Isles and Massachusetts. During his earlier years (1952-1954) he also taught at the Doon School of Fine Arts, in Kitchener, Ont.

Adrian Dingle is recognized as being one of a number of 20th century artists that are now being keenly sought after by art collectors seeking previously overlooked fine paintings by this talented innovative artist. During his working years many of his paintings were sold at the Eaton Company Fine Art Gallery.

Adrian is represented in the National Gallery, the London Art Museum as well as in the collections of several banks and some large corporations, as well as in many private collections. This well respected artist died in 1974.

Adrian Dingle was also known for his contributions to the comic book industry in the 1940's and 1950's. He is most famous for his creation of the Canadian superhero character, Nelvana of the Northern Lights, one of the earliest Canadian comic book superheroes.

Nelvana of the Northern Lights first appeared in "Triumph Adventure Comics #1" in 1941, published by Hillborough Studios, which was founded by Dingle himself. Nelvana was depicted as an Inuit demigoddess who could control the elements and had various other superpowers. She fought against the villains threatening Canada and its people during World War II.

Dingle's creation of Nelvana is significant not only for being one of the earliest Canadian superheroes but also for being one of the few female superheroes of her time. She even predates Wonder Woman by a few months, making her one of the earliest female superheroes in North America's comic book history.

In addition to Nelvana, Adrian also created and illustrated other comic book characters and series during his career. However, today his comic book legacy is most closely associated with the Canadian Lady Superhero, Nelvana of the Northern Lights; a character that has gained renewed interest and recognition in recent years due to the efforts to preserve and celebrate Canada's comic book heritage.

Overall, Adrian Dingle's body of work and participation in the comic book world of the 1950s, particularly his creation of Nelvana of the Northern Lights, played a significant role in Canadian comic book history and paves the way for future Canadian comic book creators and characters. Adrian was posthumously inducted into the Joe Shuster Awards Hall of Fame in 2005.

This well respected Canadian painter and illustrator passed away in 1974.

 

Adrian Dingle RCA, OSA, OIP, With Strings Attached, Acrylic on Board 1960