Let Me Introduce
Anthony John … All Round Cool Cat
I remember when I was a young hairdresser in the 80’s, I was pretty shy and not very worldly to say the least. Clients would come in a chat about all sorts of topics, most I knew nothing about and that was the beginning of my real world education from behind my stylist chair. One of the hot subjects back then was about this tall thin guy with funky hair named Anthony John. This guy arrived in town and caused a ruckus about organic vegetables. Yes “vegetable talk” it was quite the thing. In reality the talk was more about the man and what he was doing than actual vegetables.
Antony has been on my radar for years but I hadn’t actually met him until a couple of weeks ago. If you have read this little column of mine before, you know it’s about introducing you to your neighbours that you share this lovely city with. My brother Ross suggested I approach Antony for an article because he’s a really cool guy. I must admit I felt a bit intimidated to reach out to him and procrastinated doing so. One day I almost physically ran into Antony coming out of the chef’s school and thought, oh heck just ask him not knowing if he even knew who I was. He was gracious and kind not intimidating at all, in fact I might even say humble.
When Antony suggested we meet out at the family farm just outside of town it was perfect because the countryside is extra special in the autumn and it gave me a chance to savour the season. I drove in and it was exactly as I would have imagined it, A real rustic working farm, several pairs of scissors hang beside the door handy for clipping herbs and flowers. A table inside the door with vegetables from the garden for folks to stop by and purchase.
Antony met his wife Tina at the University of Guelph while he was earning his Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology. Tina, a farmer’s daughter plus his love of nature, it seemed a natural progression to buy a farm from Tina’s father. That’s just what they did and ran a dairy farm for 10 years. Eventually, they switched from dairy to growing vegetables and “Soiled Reputation” was born, at one point they had the largest market garden in Canada, providing markets and some of the finest restaurants with local produce. What made their product different was the artist flare in which they presented it.
“Seed does no good sitting in a packet” Antony John
Antony lives by the quote above, keeping his mind open to all possibilities. Opportunities are all around us but we have to be open to receiving them is the consistent theme of Antony’s life. One such opportunity came to him in the form of a TV show “The Manic Organic” Antony taught his audience about gardening and value of quality food. This program is still available on U-tube and Prime. Also, while working with the chef’s school he met and learned from many renowned chefs from all around the world, which of course opened even more doors. I think that is what is intended by Antony’s quote. We can’t grow until we get out of our packet.
So that was then … but what’s happening now?
Well, When I was at his home, what I did not expect was art and lots of it … Who knew he was an artist? And a mighty fine artist indeed. I had no idea. Their large living room has a cool studio vibe with at least 20 paintings by Alex Colville Canada’s own realist artist. Also several large paintings by Antony himself. That was a surprise. Antony has never looked like your average farmer and now I know why. He is a very proud farmer but has another side to him. An avid birdwatcher and artist. At this phase of his life this aspect is becoming his primary focus. All his life he has wanted to make art his career and now seems to be the time for it. Antony’s paintings are very detailed, infused with significant feeling and meaning, often nature and bird themed. His works hang in private collections in Canada and the U.S. He has shown his work in several galleries and at present sells at the Skwirl Gallery in Bayfield. Antony’s attention to detail either in his work as a farmer or as realist artist and even as a bird watcher is what sets him apart. As his painter hero, Alex Colville said “It’s the ordinary things that seem important to me.” I think that is what Antony’s gift is … Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Opportunity came once again knocking on Antony’s door when he travelled to the Amazon on a bird watching excursion. He and Tina went on a 3 week birding trip to Peru and stayed at research stations run by Amazon Conservation. Imagine Antony’s surprise when cofounder Dr Adrian Forsyth called him after he returned home and asked to see his paintings. Well, he must have liked them because he asked him if he wanted to do an artist in residency in Manu Research Station in Peru, and Osa Conservation in Costa Rica. There he is again jumping out of his packet, ready to tackle a new adventure.
Does an Adventure in the Amazon sound like something you would like to do?
Good News … you can … Now that Antony has fully retired from organic farming, he is hoping to combine his Wildlife Biology Degree and almost 20 years of travel in Central and South America, with his knowledge of tropical ecology and birds, to take friends and interested parties to the various locations he’s been to, and to share with them the incredible biodiversity of places like the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, and the Manu Biolodge in Peru. His aim is to convey the wonderment of seeing rare and elusive creatures in their natural habitat, visit culturally significant sites, and delve deep into the cuisine that has evolved in each area. Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime.
Contact Antony if you are interested on Instagram … antonymartinjohn or at antbird60@gmail.com
