Back in 1939, a mother told her daughter to go ahead and live in her “Fool’s Paradise”… an isolated, electricity-free cottage by Lake Ontario. Doris McCarthy liked the name for her $1250 real estate purchase and kept it. She lived and worked in this dream location her whole life, gradually adding on rooms. She did without electricity for the first 7 years or so.
Interior photos after the break.
McCarthy pursued her career as a painter until her death at the age of 100 in 2010. She produced a huge body of valued work, received innumerable honours, influenced and mentored many, many fellow artists. We went to see her home/studio today as part of Toronto Doors Open.
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I didn’t notice any TV set inside. Was there one? Anyone?
I have been in her home many times and have never seen a TV. Although Doris
had given many interviewes (onTV) she had little personal use of TV. She was much happier to “go to bed with a good book”. She did have a computer in her office and this was used frequently, primarily her word processing.
Thank you for this, Pat! It reinforces my impression of her good sense. A TV set would have been so out of place in that wonderful home. Good to know, too, that she kept up with technology and used a computer. My wife and I are admirers of her art, her aesthetic and her work ethic. Your family must be very proud of all that she accomplished.
Doris had a television, but she kept it in a cabinet and only used it for watching videos.
Vicky Jones (grand-niece)
Aha! In a cabinet… no wonder I didn’t see it. I am glad to hear that she used it to play videos rather than to waste time on broadcast TV. Thanks for the insider information, Vicki.