catherine willis-o’connor
canadian artist
Catherine has strong family roots in Ottawa.
She is the granddaughter of Billy Bishop, the world war I flying ace, the great-great granddaughter of Timothy Eaton, the Canadian department store entrepreneur and the great great-granddaughter of Daniel O’Connor, the Ottawa pioneer settler of Bytown now known as the city of Ottawa.
One day as Catherine walked through the neighbourhoods of Ottawa reminiscing about the many family-owned businesses that once existed. Catherine got emotional and excited. She had an idea which she had to share – Ottawa – Then and Now. She wanted to show the transition of Ottawa over the years. She wanted to capture the memories in bright colour with lots of details in her unique collection of Ottawa – Then and Now.
Each painting tells a story – her story. As you walk through the neighbourhoods of Ottawa with her as you look at her collection. The artist invites you to relive your very own memories and stories. It took Catherine 12 years to share her story through her collection.
View Ottawa – Then and Now – Book. 50 $ a copy.
Catherine has a studio in Almonte Ontario. She has studied at the Ottawa School, of Art. She is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the West Carleton Arts Society. She is inspired by the work of Canadian artists – Maud Lewis, William Kurelek, Joe Norris and Ottawa’s Robert. Her work has been part of many juried exhibitions.
Gordon and I met Catherine decades ago and her collection is so unique and beautiful that we just had to share it with you.
Phil Emond
Gallerist
ottawa - then and now
I am the granddaughter of Billy Bishop, the World War One Flying Ace, the great-great granddaughter of Timothy Eaton, the Canadian Department Store entrepreneur and the great great-granddaughter of Daniel O'Connor, the Ottawa pioneer settler of Bytown now known as the City of Ottawa.<br /> <br /> One day as I walked through the neighbourhoods of Ottawa reminiscing about the many family-owned businesses that once existed, I got emotional and excited. I had an idea which I had to share - Ottawa - Then and Now. I wanted to show the transition over the years. I wanted to capture these memories in bright colour with lots of detail. Each painting tells a story my story. <br /> <br /> As you walk through the neighbourhoods of Ottawa with me, I invite you to relive your very own stories. <br /> <br /> It took me 12 years to tell my story.
rideau hall. governor general's residence. ottawa. ontario. canada.

SKATING AT THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S RIDEAU HALL SKATING RINK
Rideau Hall. Ottawa. Ontario.
11h 14w in. unframed 12h 15w in. framed Winterlude would not be complete without a skate at the Governor General’s Rideau Hall Skating Rink. This well-preserved rink has been bringing Canadians together since 1872. The Right Honourable David Johnston CC, CMM, COM, 28th Governor General signed the back of the painting with an inscription on November 21, 2024.
2 100 $ framed plus hst
SKATING AT THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S RIDEAU HALL SKATING RINK
Rideau Hall. Ottawa. Ontario.
11h 14w in. unframed 12h 15w in. framed Winterlude would not be complete without a skate at the Governor General’s Rideau Hall Skating Rink. This well-preserved rink has been bringing Canadians together since 1872. The Right Honourable David Johnston CC, CMM, COM, 28th Governor General signed the back of the painting with an inscription on November 21, 2024.
2 100 $ framed plus hst
byward market. ottawa. ontario. canada.

'WE CORNER THE MARKET'
BYWARD MARKET. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w in. framed If you are from Ottawa, a great day can include visiting Irving River’s Market Square Store followed by heading around the corner to Château Lafayette, a.k.a. “Laff”, for a quart. My mother went to school with Irving's daughter at Lisgar Collegiate during WW2. She was envious of her as she lived above the store and wore a leopard skin designed sweater to school. Juried by the Federation of Canadian Artist. Vancouver, British Columbia. 2021.
2 500 $ framed plus hst
'WE CORNER THE MARKET'
BYWARD MARKET. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w in. framed If you are from Ottawa, a great day can include visiting Irving River’s Market Square Store followed by heading around the corner to Château Lafayette, a.k.a. “Laff”, for a quart. My mother went to school with Irving's daughter at Lisgar Collegiate during WW2. She was envious of her as she lived above the store and wore a leopard skin designed sweater to school. Juried by the Federation of Canadian Artist. Vancouver, British Columbia. 2021.
2 500 $ framed plus hst
new edinburgh. ottawa. ontario. canada.

BEFORE THE FIRE
BEECHWOOD AVEnue
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
c.2010
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w in. framed There’s Hamies with people eating breakfast, the news stand next door, sharing the door way with Bread and Roses. That’s my dad getting his hair cut at Lester’s Barbershop. Parker Cleaners and Time Sharpening fixing clocks - both enterprising business establishments. Beside the Home Hardware is the organic food store, Nature’s Buzz. c.2011
SOLD
BEFORE THE FIRE
BEECHWOOD AVEnue
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
c.2010
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w in. framed There’s Hamies with people eating breakfast, the news stand next door, sharing the door way with Bread and Roses. That’s my dad getting his hair cut at Lester’s Barbershop. Parker Cleaners and Time Sharpening fixing clocks - both enterprising business establishments. Beside the Home Hardware is the organic food store, Nature’s Buzz. c.2011
SOLD

LEECH'S DRUGS
131 CRICHTON STreet
New Edinburgh. Ontario. Canada.
c1940's
8h 10w in. unframed 9h 11w in. framed I read that Leech’s Drugs morphed into Harts Pharmacy then to Guardian Drugs, as it stands today. A pillar of the community for generations. I imagined what Leech’s Drugs would look like on a nice Spring day during WWII. The original was B/W during a snow storm.
1 100 $ framed plus hst
LEECH'S DRUGS
131 CRICHTON STreet
New Edinburgh. Ontario. Canada.
c1940's
8h 10w in. unframed 9h 11w in. framed I read that Leech’s Drugs morphed into Harts Pharmacy then to Guardian Drugs, as it stands today. A pillar of the community for generations. I imagined what Leech’s Drugs would look like on a nice Spring day during WWII. The original was B/W during a snow storm.
1 100 $ framed plus hst

THE HOOD
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w in. framed It’s still there! One of the oldest commercial buildings in Ottawa, located at 111 Rideau Street on the Mall. Vac Shack, 686 Bronson Avenue. A family business who supply and repair vacuum cleaners. That’s one of my friends picking up her machine. Next door, I painted Hammoud Bros Ltd, located on 154 Beausoleil Dr., because it is an example of neighbourhood family businesses changing up the front into a store and the rest living quarters to make ends meet.
2 500 $ framed plus hst
THE HOOD
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w in. framed It’s still there! One of the oldest commercial buildings in Ottawa, located at 111 Rideau Street on the Mall. Vac Shack, 686 Bronson Avenue. A family business who supply and repair vacuum cleaners. That’s one of my friends picking up her machine. Next door, I painted Hammoud Bros Ltd, located on 154 Beausoleil Dr., because it is an example of neighbourhood family businesses changing up the front into a store and the rest living quarters to make ends meet.
2 500 $ framed plus hst

KAVANAUGH'S GARAGE
BEECHWOOD AVEnue
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
10h 14w in. unframed 11h 15w in. framed Kavanaugh’s Garage, Beechwood Avenue. Another neighbourhood institution. After my dad stopped driving, I’d take him down to the gas station to fill up and the Kavanaugh boys always found time to come and say hello. The property was sold. The garage moved to Marier Road and now there stands condominiums in the name of Kavanaugh.
1 900 $ framed plus hst
KAVANAUGH'S GARAGE
BEECHWOOD AVEnue
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
10h 14w in. unframed 11h 15w in. framed Kavanaugh’s Garage, Beechwood Avenue. Another neighbourhood institution. After my dad stopped driving, I’d take him down to the gas station to fill up and the Kavanaugh boys always found time to come and say hello. The property was sold. The garage moved to Marier Road and now there stands condominiums in the name of Kavanaugh.
1 900 $ framed plus hst

LINDEN THEATRE
BEECHWOOD AVEnue
Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
c. 1940'S
8h 10w in. unframed 9h 11w in. framed I loved going to the movies. Everyone loved going to the movies. Linden Theatre was distinctive to Beechwood Avenue. This theatre dates back to the 1940’s. It is now the site of a restaurant and a drug store.
1 100 $ framed plus hst
LINDEN THEATRE
BEECHWOOD AVEnue
Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
c. 1940'S
8h 10w in. unframed 9h 11w in. framed I loved going to the movies. Everyone loved going to the movies. Linden Theatre was distinctive to Beechwood Avenue. This theatre dates back to the 1940’s. It is now the site of a restaurant and a drug store.
1 100 $ framed plus hst

LANSDOWNE TERRACE
MACKAY Street
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
15h 30w in. unframed 16h 31w in. framed One of New Edinburgh neighbourhood’s treasures. This is an original federal government employee row-housing of days gone by. Now an historical building with one of the most beautiful gardens in the neighbourhood.
2 600 $ framed plus hst
LANSDOWNE TERRACE
MACKAY Street
New Edinburgh. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
15h 30w in. unframed 16h 31w in. framed One of New Edinburgh neighbourhood’s treasures. This is an original federal government employee row-housing of days gone by. Now an historical building with one of the most beautiful gardens in the neighbourhood.
2 600 $ framed plus hst
spark street collection. ottawa. ontario. canada.

'I LOVE THEM!'THE SHOE BOX
173 SPARKS STreet
Sparks Street. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 17w in. unframed 13h 18w in. framed Nothing like shoe shopping on the Sparks Street Mall. I purchased so many shoes and matching purses from the 80’s onwards. The best shoe store in Ottawa. I never was disappointed and the service was excellent. Unfortunately it did not survive the covid struggle that so many merchants faced. Federation of Canadian Artist "2022 Limitless Juried Exhibition". 2022. Vancouver, BC.
2 400 $ framed plus hst
'I LOVE THEM!'THE SHOE BOX
173 SPARKS STreet
Sparks Street. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 17w in. unframed 13h 18w in. framed Nothing like shoe shopping on the Sparks Street Mall. I purchased so many shoes and matching purses from the 80’s onwards. The best shoe store in Ottawa. I never was disappointed and the service was excellent. Unfortunately it did not survive the covid struggle that so many merchants faced. Federation of Canadian Artist "2022 Limitless Juried Exhibition". 2022. Vancouver, BC.
2 400 $ framed plus hst

ICE CREAM WITH JULIA
LAURA SECORD
85 BANK Street. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 17w in. unframed 13h 18w in. framed Laura Secord, So Canadian. I remember during Y2K, lining up for ice cream on a hot summer day during my lunch break, at the corner of Queen and Bank Streets. The orange cream chocolates were my favourite. The storefront was perfectly situated for last minute gifts on the way home from work.
2 400 $ framed plus hst
ICE CREAM WITH JULIA
LAURA SECORD
85 BANK Street. Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 17w in. unframed 13h 18w in. framed Laura Secord, So Canadian. I remember during Y2K, lining up for ice cream on a hot summer day during my lunch break, at the corner of Queen and Bank Streets. The orange cream chocolates were my favourite. The storefront was perfectly situated for last minute gifts on the way home from work.
2 400 $ framed plus hst
eastview collection. Vanier. ottawa. ontario. canada.

FONTENELLE
56 MONTREAL Road. VANIER. Ontario. Canada.
11h 14w in. unframed 12h 15w in. framed I think diners are one of the best inventions from the Art Deco Movement. The real soda! This precious restaurant has changed hands over the years and still a popular spot, located in a 1960’s vintage mall on Montreal Road.
2 100 $ framed plus hst
FONTENELLE
56 MONTREAL Road. VANIER. Ontario. Canada.
11h 14w in. unframed 12h 15w in. framed I think diners are one of the best inventions from the Art Deco Movement. The real soda! This precious restaurant has changed hands over the years and still a popular spot, located in a 1960’s vintage mall on Montreal Road.
2 100 $ framed plus hst

CHEZ CHARLOT
VANIER. Ontario. Canada.
12h 17w in. unframed 13h 18w in. framed plus hst Chez Charlot Convenience Store, 46 Charles Street, Vanier, a neighbourhood store. Federation of Canadian Artist. Juried Exhibition. Vancouver, BC. 2023.
2 400 $ framed plus hst
CHEZ CHARLOT
VANIER. Ontario. Canada.
12h 17w in. unframed 13h 18w in. framed plus hst Chez Charlot Convenience Store, 46 Charles Street, Vanier, a neighbourhood store. Federation of Canadian Artist. Juried Exhibition. Vancouver, BC. 2023.
2 400 $ framed plus hst
front house businesses in ottawa. ottawa. ontario. canada.

DOWNTOWN OTTAWA
Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w iin. framed plus hst Ottawa’s China Town has some gems. Wah Shing Store, 835 Somerset Street West – no longer in business. Then Wellington Street, an Ottawa neighbourhood where you will find Watson’s Pharmacy and Compounding Centre, 1308 Wellington Street West, a family run business. Unfortunately, Burton’s Dive Service, was once located at 198 Beechwood Avenue. Open all year round, you could buy your scuba equipment while looking outside at 3 feet of snow.
2 500 $ framed
DOWNTOWN OTTAWA
Ottawa. Ontario. Canada.
12h 24w in. unframed 13h 25w iin. framed plus hst Ottawa’s China Town has some gems. Wah Shing Store, 835 Somerset Street West – no longer in business. Then Wellington Street, an Ottawa neighbourhood where you will find Watson’s Pharmacy and Compounding Centre, 1308 Wellington Street West, a family run business. Unfortunately, Burton’s Dive Service, was once located at 198 Beechwood Avenue. Open all year round, you could buy your scuba equipment while looking outside at 3 feet of snow.
2 500 $ framed
ottawa sunday morning collection. ottawa. ontario. canada.

OTTAWA SATURDAY MORNING
12h 36w in. unframed 13h 37w in. framed Saturday morning list – First the bakery- Yum!, then Foster’s to pick up my bike and then head to the laundry mat. The Portuguese Bakery had the best Easter bread. The owners worked hard to keep their children in good schools. Foster’s Sports Centre, 305 Bank Street, was an iconic location with guaranteed service every time. Tang Coin Laundry, 609 Somerset St. W. an essential service to the community of which Ottawa has too few. This being one of them
2 600 $ framed plus hst
OTTAWA SATURDAY MORNING
12h 36w in. unframed 13h 37w in. framed Saturday morning list – First the bakery- Yum!, then Foster’s to pick up my bike and then head to the laundry mat. The Portuguese Bakery had the best Easter bread. The owners worked hard to keep their children in good schools. Foster’s Sports Centre, 305 Bank Street, was an iconic location with guaranteed service every time. Tang Coin Laundry, 609 Somerset St. W. an essential service to the community of which Ottawa has too few. This being one of them
2 600 $ framed plus hst