On any given day, Coulson resident Jan Wheeler can be found working in her barn. She is not using a farmer’s implements, though. She’s using the tools of an artist. Jan is an established landscape painter, working with oils on canvas, whose work has been exhibited in New York, Toronto, Jeddah, Tokyo and Nashville. She is represented by Arta Gallery (Toronto), Paula White Diamond Art Gallery (Waterloo), Algonquin Art Centre (Algonquin Park), and Cloud Gallery (Orillia). Recently she was one of ten artists (five Canadian and five Korean) chosen to contribute to the international “Soul of the East and West” exhibition in Toronto, showcasing the art of both nations.
Jan was born and grew up in Orillia, beginning art lessons at the age of eight and eventually studying design at Seneca College. While working and traveling as a young adult, she continued her studies in London, Florence and Japan. Inspired by the Group of Seven and Henry Moore, Jan developed her unique, fluid style interpreting the rhythms of land, water and sky of Canada’s wild places.
Jan draws inspiration from the back-country locations which she and husband, Will, love to explore. Returning with photographs and sketches, she heads to her “stable” turned “studio” to develop the final work. The scenes are large, panoramic and filled with movement, colour and light. You can view Jan’s work at https://www.artagallery.ca/collections/j-wheeler and https://janwheeler.net/ .
Jan and Will have made their home on a century farm at Coulson for over 20 years. They have poured much love and energy into the property: restoring the Victorian farmhouse, planting thousands of trees and maintaining the barns and outbuildings. At first, they dived into the business of raising quality Dorset sheep, creating beautiful wool duvets from the fleece. Eventually, though, the call of the canvas had Jan trading her shears for brushes, and she turned full time to painting.
The Wheeler property, formerly the Patterson farm, has a significant place in the history of Coulson. In 1866 Joseph and Sarah Patterson acquired the farm at Lot 2 Concession 7 Medonte. The Coldwater River runs through the property and a dam provided a large millpond. Patterson operated a grist mill and shingle mill here until a spring flood washed out the dam and mills. Afterwards he had a successful milling enterprise at Marchmont.
The Pattersons extended the original frame farmhouse, covered it with beautiful brickwork and adding a large wrap-around porch. Before the first log school was built on Coulson hill in 1867, children received instruction in a small log building located on the Patterson farm. There was also an ice house on the property, as the pond supplied ice for the local community, and a piggery where meat was shared, similar to a beef ring.
Sarah and Joseph raised a large family, five girls and four boys. One daughter, Sarah Pat Layng, became a chiropractor in Detroit and in 1956 contributed funds to restore the little white church at Coulson. The home farm was worked by three more generations of Pattersons, until purchased by the Wheelers in 1999.
Update: New Owners at Coulson General Store
As of October 3, 2022, Palak and Nipram Patel are the enthusiastic new owners of Coulson General Store. Originally from India, Palak made Canada her home in 2004, settling in Ajax. After working as a manager in manufacturing for 14 years, she was encouraged by her family to take on her own business. She and her family are excited about their move to the country as independent business owners. They have been enjoying the beautiful fall colours of Oro-Medonte and are heartened by the warm welcome they have received from local residents. Palak intends to stock the shelves with a greater variety of products and light groceries, making the General Store a convenient stop for the neighbourhood. She is looking to the community for suggestions, so be sure to drop in with your requests. She’ll even try to order in your favourite wine!