Oh Canada!

I have been preparing for another artist residency but this time the focus is on Canada's landscape rather than animals.  For this mini series, I decided to reflect the three places that I have lived and that have meant so much to me and this time I wanted to create larger pieces for the students to see well so they each measure 24x24 inches. 

The first painting is titled Northern Lakes...a place that really resonates because I grew near  Turnbull Lake, a tributary of the Churchill River.  The community spent all the seasons here - dog sled racing & snow shoeing in winter, canoeing & swimming in summer.  This is the image in my mind whenever I think of it...distant moss covered rocky outcrops, an abundance of boreal forest and ever changing skies reflected in the pristine water.

The second painting reflects the beauty of the Canadian Prairies...we had the wonderful opportunity to live near the Qu'apelle Valley one year when our girls were young.  I was so happy to see fluffy cumulous clouds dancing over the golden prairies once again.  The sunrises and sunsets were incredible and the people...I just can't say enough about them.  They were so gracious and welcoming.

Finally, the Rocky Mountains that we have the privilege of seeing out our living room window...though not so close or so grand.  But only a short drive away.  It's been twenty years since we've moved here and yet I never tire of this sacred view. When my husband and I were married in the my hometown in the north, we drove 32 hours to spend our honeymoon in these mountains.  Travelling to the Rockies is still my absolute favorite thing and I'm so lucky that I can go anytime I want...I really don't need to travel anywhere else.

These three landscapes really do represent the soul of Canada for me and, though I found the prospect of painting these pieces a little daunting, they have been an absolute pleasure to create.