Ed Roche has made it his life's work to capture the beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador on canvas. The paintings of this world-renowned artist are acknowledged and celebrated far and wide. In Four Seasons: The Art of Ed Roche, award-winning journalist and author Reg Sherren explores Ed’s approach to his craft in an easy conversational style that reflects their twenty years of friendship. The book also takes you on a visual journey across Newfoundland and Labrador as it transitions through the seasons showcasing fifty of his favourite pieces.

Ed Roche's body of work is visual poetry in motion. His unique use of colour creates the balance in each piece, a palette of vibrancy unparalleled. In Four Seasons: The Art of Ed Roche, the artist invites the reader to grab a cup of tea and drink it all in. Come take a walk with Ed across the province he loves.

Growing up in the picturesque seaside community of Middle Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ed’s days were filled with wonderful opportunities to explore his incredible surroundings. Rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, sapphire blue waters, and emerald green meadows became his playground by day while his evenings were filled with delightful retellings of stories of long ago recounting the rich history and traditions of his island heritage. Such experiences became the backdrop for a future filled with a deep appreciation of time and place and a keen desire to record and recreate his observations.From an early age, Ed possessed a natural talent for drawing. He was acknowledged as the school artist and spent many hours creating work for school functions. As this caused him to miss many a recess and opportunities to be involved in sports, his zest for drawing waned during adolescence. Luckily, some years later happenstance intervened, and a severe snowstorm kept him housebound at his niece’s for several days. Fortunately, he discovered a set of watercolors she had received one Christmas, began painting to relieve the boredom, and his passion for art was reignited.As Ed moved from university to the world of work as a recreation specialist for the province, traveling to hundreds of communities provided him with the opportunity to become intimately acquainted with the people, geography, history, and cultural traditions of each area. He observed firsthand the emergence of new communities and the fading away of others. His camera was always ready to record spectacular vistas and daily routine: the bustle of a busy harbour, the glow from a church window on a frosty winter evening, brilliant sunsets in charming coves, or light streaming through the window of an old abandoned school.A keen desire to share such experiences quickly emerged, and his artwork became the vehicle. As this solitary life consisted of many evenings in hotels, he would often fill the time by creating stunning images of places he had seen with watercolors or ink that was diluted to provide a range of values for his detailed drawings. Ed continued to experiment with different media but eventually found that acrylics provided the vibrancy that is so characteristic of his exquisite, unmistakable style.He was instrumental in the formation of Realist Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1997, which is an organization that supports the professional development of its members through travel, workshops, special projects, and newsletters as well as recognizing their accomplishments through a series of awards. He feels that validation and striving for excellence are key components to growth as an artist.The tapestry of Ed Roche’s life is a composition of threads rich in color and texture, and his artwork is reflective of that. His life experiences bring an authenticity and vibrancy to his paintings. The viewer can easily slip into the scene and sense the surroundings, feel the wind on the tall spruce, smell the fish drying on a flake, taste the salt air, hear the cries of seagulls soaring overhead, or see the majesty of the changing autumn leaves. His subject matter enthralls by calling attention to the beauty and splendor of the province. Each piece is a celebration of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and their unique heritage, culture, and traditions.Biography piece written by, Linda M. Doody

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Reg Sherren has been introducing Canadians to the people and stories they care about for over four decades. Known for his unique story-telling abilities, this award-winning journalist and author has reported around the world, from the Persian Gulf, Europe, Japan and across the United States of America.A veteran broadcaster, in his career, Sherren has worked as an investigative consumer journalist, foreign correspondent, network host(Country Canada), and documentary filmmaker. Sherren has also been the recipient of numerous journalism awards from the New York and Columbus International Film and Video Festivals, as well as the Radio and Television News Directors Association.His first book, “That Wasn’t the Plan” was chosen by the Globe and Mail as a best fall read. Reg and his family reside in Winnipeg but have a summer home down by the sea, in Southport, Trinity Bay.

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