These paintings by Gerard Collins capture the quiet comfort of New Brunswick living

Gerard Collins's life as an artist has been an adventure, all the way through. The Saint John, N.B.-based artist dreamed about being a painter from a very young age; his eyes still shine when he talks about living and studying art in London or about the time he spent in Germany studying under renowned artist Gerhard Richter. For a time, Collins considered living in New York and pursuing his art practice there — he even moved there for a while — but ultimately, he chose to return to New Brunswick, the place he felt he could focus solely on painting.

Now, Collins remains a contemporary painter living in Saint John, and he remains fully dedicated to art. Painting daily is also the way he supports himself. Collins is one of the most prolific painters in New Brunswick; his work can be found in galleries, university collections, the homes of art collectors, enthusiasts and many of his friends. So Collins's reputation as an artist is well-founded — after all, he has work in the National Gallery of Canada. But life as an artist in New Brunswick still has its challenges.

At first glance, Collins's story might present itself as the archetypal portrayal of the "struggling artist." What's maybe most interesting about his life story is his spirit and his drive to paint every single day. He's most drawn to making art that connects with people.

Collins sees his painting as being like a diary — that if you were to gather up all of his paintings, you would get a real sense of his life and who he is. He explains, "It's like a record of my life, basically — all the paintings from early on to whatever happens, how many I do before I die. But it's like you could read it. It's like a personal diary all the way through."

In this video, you'll get to meet Gerard Collins as he paints at his home and studio, a small cabin next to Shaw's Lake in New Brunswick. You'll learn more about why he chose to remain in New Brunswick and forge his painting career there. And you'll come to understand although making a living solely focused on his art practice can be a struggle, Collins sticks by it and remains a believer in the value of being an artist who has a deep love for his craft.