Gingerbread masterpiece: N.S. woman builds Maud Lewis-inspired gingerbread house

A woman created a gingerbread masterpiece inspired by an iconic Nova Scotia artist.

A Bedford, N.S., woman has created a gingerbread house inspired by one of the province’s most iconic artists.

Michelle Giles and her son decided to build two gingerbread houses this year. One going to a competition and one inspired by Maud and Everett Lewis for them to enjoy.

Giles said they became passionate about the pair after her son found a painting at a thrift store for $1.

“We love thrifting for treasures at thrift stores. A couple years ago my son found a picture in a toy room, and he really fell in love with the colours, and he asked to buy it. Not knowing anything I came home and I said, ‘Everett Lewis. I know the Lewis name, but I know Maud Lewis.’ I looked it up and it said that’s her husband,” said Giles.

“I came to find out that he painted pictures after she passed to try and make some money. It was a pretty cool experience. Then we watched the movies and visited the museum multiple times and really found a passion for Maud, so we wanted to recreate her house, and we had fun doing it.”

Giles said the second gingerbread house was inspired by a film.

“We did a second gingerbread house that is two storeys, 20 inches tall, and the theme is ‘‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ so we added details to go with the story. That house was sent to Chester to be auctioned off for the food bank.”

Giles said the Maud Lewis gingerbread house is completely edible and consists of a lot of small details.

“It has her paintings which are painted with food colouring, an edible window made of sugar with her painting of tulips on it. The interior is a print of the inside of the house taken at the museum. It also includes Everett with his chickens, fish and fishing tackle box,” she said.

If it wasn’t for the thrift store, Giles said they never would have found their passion for Maud Lewis or built the house.

“Next year we will definitely try making a gingerbread house now that we know all the techniques and we will do some local competitions.”

Giles has donated the Maud and Everett Lewis gingerbread house to the Christmas Daddies charitable auction.

The 62nd annual Christmas Daddies Telethon takes place Saturday, Dec. 6 on CTV Atlantic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page