I had the privilege of a close friendship and business relationship with Toller Cranston for 15 years, up until the morning of January 24th, 2015, when I announced his sudden passing to the world. In all those years it never ceased to amaze me how single minded and committed he was to his art; he maintained the same relentless dedication and artistic passion that made him a global sensation in the world of figure skating. Toller is widely credited as being the most significant artistic influence to ever grace the ice, he essentially reinventing and forever changed the sport and was loved for it. Toller is a Canadian Icon, an Olympian, Order of Canada recipient and was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of fame to name just a few of his many accomplishments. What most never knew, was that he was the “artist that skated”, in fact, much of his skating career was financed through the sale of his paintings. 

Toller’s imagery is as distinctive and as flamboyant as his skating performances, he was eccentric, compulsive, vulnerable, tormented and at times slightly off center, that said, the one constant throughout his entire life was his unshakable belief in his talent. Creation was the only real joy he ever valued, and should he leave his studio for more than a few days, it was like witnessing a fish out of water, he would decline to the point where he would literally have a mental meltdown. What is truly astonishing is that over a 50-year period Toller created over 20,000 paintings which were sold to collectors around the globe. It is also surprizing that despite the considerable increase in value, very few have made their way back to the secondary market, such is the reverence for his artworks. Art Evolution is the exclusive publisher of Toller Cranston limited editions and holds the largest collection of original artworks in the World.  A major retrospective is being planned that will display a vast array of artworks, sculpture, and memorabilia.

Christopher Talbot -President Art Evolution

Skating Achievements

• Olympic Games: Bronze medalist (1976).
• World Championships: Bronze medalist (1974); 4th place (1975, 1976); 5th place (1972, 1973).
• Canadian Championships: Six-time senior men's champion (1971–1976); 2nd place (1970); 3rd place (1969).
• North American Championships: Silver medalist (1971).
• Skate Canada International: Champion (1973, 1975).
• Junior Level: Canadian Junior Champion (1964).
• Other: Winner of the free skating segment at the 1972 and 1974 World Championships.
• Professional Career: Toured with "The Ice Show" on Broadway, Holiday on Ice, and Stars on Ice. 

• Painter: Produced over 20,000 paintings, selling them to finance his skating career.
• Exhibitions: Held over 250 solo exhibitions.
• Official Artist: Appointed Official Artist of Skate Canada for the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships.
• Author: Published autobiographical books, including Zero Tollerance (1997) and When Hell Freezes Over, Should I Bring My Skates? (2000).
• Broadcaster: Served as a television commentator for CBC. 

• Order of Canada: Named a Member (1977, often cited as 1976/1977).
• Canada's Walk of Fame: Inducted in 2003.
• Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1976.
• Canada's Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1997.
• Skate Canada Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1997.
• World Figure Skating Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2004.
• Special Olympic Order: Awarded by the Canadian Olympic Association in 1995.
• Athlete of the Year: Named Sports Federation Athlete of the Year (1974).
• Honorary Degree: Awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from Carleton University.

A Terrifying Obsession - The Legacy Paintings - Toller Cranston