As a resident of Manotick, a village on the Rideau River, AY Jackson frequently commutes to Ottawa by bus in the 1950s. Soon, the artist gets tired of changing public transit schedules and moves to downtown Ottawa, on Mac Laren Street in 1962. From that moment, Jackson is constantly asked to participate in various social activities. Despite his busy schedule, the artist travels frequently to the countryside in the region to produce sketches.

During this period, the artist, nicknamed "Alec" by his friends, depicts the landscapes of the Outaouais regions. However, without a driver's license, his movements are more difficult. Fortunately, thanks to his fame and the social network he built in Ottawa, a volunteer was always willing to lead him on his excursions.

In Hills near Shreiber, Jackson draws inspiration from the scenery he observed on his tours near this small town of the northwest Ontario. Regarding the size of the work, Wayne Larsen mentions that: "The sketch, usually painted in oil on the outside on a small wooden panel kept inside his sketch chest, was essentially the study from Jackson for a larger painting on canvas. [...] Working with the compact and lightweight sketch box was the ideal solution "¹. With the help of his box, which facilitated his movements in nature, the artist could thus depict the stealth effects of the light as well as the shades of colors observed.

1. Wayne Larsen, 2009, A.Y. Jackson: The Life of a Landscape Painter, Toronto: Dundurn, p. 225.

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