"That boy is going to be an artist when he grows up," predicted Walter Campbell's grade one teacher. She made the remark after admiring young Walter's painting of a little boy standing alone in the rain, which was exhibited at the school open house. Drawing was one of his childhood passions.

Perhaps it was his nomadic childhood that inspired Walter Campbell to paint architectural art. His family moved so much that he attended 9 different public schools alone, all over Ontario. That meant new houses and new neighborhoods to explore all the time. But it is not just architectural charm that inspires Walter to paint century buildings. He compares old houses to senior citizens, noting that, "They are full of character and history and stories to tell...."

The 52-year-old lifelong Ontario resident has lived everywhere from Bowmanville to Markham to Oshawa to Toronto to Uxbridge to Pickering to Brockville to Ottawa to Ktchener to Timmins to Sunderland. In the spring of 2003 Walter Campbell and family put down new roots in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The focal point of his paintings are century structures from all over North America, including many from his various hometowns and vacation destinations.

For 30 years, Walter Campbell has painted watercolour memories of grand Victorian houses and nostalgic family times, from special occasions like Christmas and Valentine's to sports like croquet and golf to North American customs like Hallowe'en and maple sugaring. Walter Campbell's art brings to life lifestyles and traditions transcending the generations. The genuine feelings of this devoted family man shine through in his paintings.

A parent and a grandparent, Walter Campbell is father to Emily, 26, Brian,24, Jamie,14 and Vanessa,12 and grandad to Jacob,7, Kirsten,5 and Brittany,3. Family members and friends have often posed for his paintings. His wife Lynn, a journalist who met him 20 years ago when she interviewed him for a newspaper article, still writes his promotional material as well as greeting customers at the new Art of Walter Campbell gallery at Niagara-On-The-Lake.

Looking closely at Walter's paintings gives you glimpses of the artist's personal life. After he took the kids to the Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival, he painted Sugar Time with the sugar shack and horses Kate and Rosie. His love of snow shines through in the warmth of his winter scenes. Summers Past brings back memories of fishing trips with his sons and Old Reliable is based on a former neighbour's John Deere tractor. Gingerbread Dreams is from his trip to California and Country Homestead features a farmhouse from Leaksdale which he always used to drive past. The Valentine's pieces show his romantic side and the Christmas ones, his love of family. Many of the painting feature antique cars, which are Walter's passion, and he has included his beloved golden retriever Misty in may of his pieces of art. His fascination with the changing seasons also shines through in his art. He is still traveling around in search of new ideas for paintings.

When not working on a new piece, it seems like Walter Campbell’s life is like constant inspiration for future paintings. From golfing at Angus Glen, Fairways, to taking a holiday to Haliburton, Northern Wings, Walter Campbell’s art and his life are inextricable intertwined.