"THIS IS MY COUNTRY. WHAT I WANT TO EXPRESS IS HERE AND I LOVE IT. AMEN" - EMILY CARR (MAY 1934)

Wednesday 24 December 2014

The World In Solemn Stillness Lay

Wishing you all a Lovely Christmas 
Some  Small Works of Nature; painted in the last few weeks. 
Peace On Earth....... Good Will to You All!

All works 5"x5" on Stretched Canvas

 Snowy Aspens

 Early December Light
Sold

 Evening Walk on the Magundy
Sold

 Evening Light Magundy
Sold

 Evening Reflections
Sold

Early November  on the Magundy River
Sold

Thursday 18 December 2014

Northern Lights Christmas Series

Every year around Christmas I paint these little gifts and take them to the local craft fairs that I attend in Ross River and Faro. 
I paint the Northern Lights because it reminds me of Christmas.  
I love painting these little works, I spend the days before the little Christmas Markets working for hours everyday
 -  to me this is happiness. The day after the craft fair I am good for nothing hahaha!  
It is a lot of work. 
My next post will be of some of the local landscape I painted as well in the last few weeks.   
Merry Christmas everyone


 Original Acrylic on 5"x5" Canvas
sold

 Original Acrylic on 5"x5" Canvas
sold
 Original Acrylic on 5"x5" Canvas



Northern Wonder
Original Acrylic on 8"x8" Canvas

Northern Lights on a Cast Iron Skillet:

This little guy is about 6 inches square.

Thursday 4 December 2014

Serenity Series: Watercolours to In-Still Peace

These simple little works were created to in-still peace and simplicity in a world that is so complicated and busy.  My  Zen of Watercolour is the peaceful and creative act of making each one. I found my calm centre in each piece; I hope you enjoy them!

Each painting  is 4x6 inches on Arches 140 lbs cold pressed watercolour paper. 
Using watercolour ink, graphite  and coloured pencil. 













Sunday 30 November 2014

Ross River Painting, In Three Stages

Was very happy I was commissioned to paint this work for a friend.  


Original 8x10 Acrylic on Canvas
Ross River, Yukon
Sold

 Stage 1

 Stage 2

Monday 24 November 2014

Yukon Artists at Work, Group Christmas Show ... New Works Available

I just spent the last four days in Whitehorse ... what a whirlwind these trips are!  The drive is 4 hours away... 2 hours to the nearest town along a fairly remote  highway and another 2 hours to the Yukon's capital, Whitehorse.  There are approximately 35, 000 people in all of the Yukon and I would say approximately 25, 000 live in and around Whitehorse.

What an assault to my senses.  Lots of people, stores, traffic, restaurants and shopping, shopping  and more shopping!  I must stock up on supplies until the next trip in and then the Christmas shopping.

The main purpose of this trip was to take in new works for the Christmas Show for my Artist Co-op, Yukon Artists at Work.  I do not spend much time with other artists, due to where I live.  Yes, I give lots of workshops but not much time is spent with my peers.  So it was really nice to be at the opening of our show on Friday night.  Another thought,  if anyone purchases my art on-line.  The gallery wins too, because a commission goes to  our co-op.

 11x14 Acrylic on Canvas
Rose Hips, Pond at Magundy

 5x7 Acrylic on Canvas
Rose Hip Medley

6x10 Acrylic on Canvas 
Little Atlin Lake Sunset

Original 8x8 Acrylic on Canvas 
A Walk Along the Magundy

Original 6x10 Acrylic on Canvas
Cliffs along the Robert Campbell
(the Highway I live by)

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Submission No. 2 Northwestel Directory Cover Contest - The South Canol

Original Acrylic on 16x20 Inch Canvas
"Sunny Autumn Day - Lapie Lakes, Yukon

I have painted this scene a number of times,  it's a beautiful spot on the South Canol Highway in the Campbell Region of the Yukon.  This highway which was built in World War 11;  it is a rough and narrow winding road which affords some of the most beautiful views of valleys and pristine alpine lakes in the Yukon.  Below you can see the other paintings, I have done of this same Highway.  Two are of the same location and the other paintings are  from places along the the South Canol.

You are allowed two submissions every year to the Northwestel Contest.  I will admit I was disappointed that neither of my submissions were picked. But on the other hand there can only be one winner and it must be very hard for the judges with so many entries to pick from.   It will be neat to see in the spring what painting will be this year's winner.   I will be happy for the artist!  and there is always  next year for me to try again. 

*All Painting Below are Part of the 100 Painting in 100 Days Collection from 2011/12


 8x10
 6x8
 5x7
 8x10
8x10
8x10
8x10
Original 6x8 Acrylic on Canvas
Lapie Lakes, South Canol
Private Collection, France

Saturday 8 November 2014

Submission No. 1 Northwestel Directory Cover Contest


I spent an afternoon sitting at the pond down the lane from our cabin in July, blocking in the shapes and colours of one of my favourite spots on this earth.   The work was unfinished until early September.  I submitted this piece to the Northwestel Phone Book Cover Competition.   It was not picked but I am glad I took the time to paint it anyways. 
I actually put in two submissions and neither was chosen but you can't win if you don't try.  I will submit again next year! 



22x28 Acrylic on Birch Panel
"Summer 2014, Pond at Magundy

This the first draft, it took a couple of hours to get it to this stage. 

Monday 29 September 2014

Thursday 28 August 2014

A Distracted Artist

THREE SMALL THUMBNAILS....

Pond Study at Magundy
4x6 inches
Orignal Watercolour 

 Sunset Study
4x6 inches
Original Watercolour

Evening Pond Study
4x6 inches
Original Watercolour

Since February I have been working an 8 month term position as Coordinator/Tutor at at Yukon College in Ross River.    I have not had much time to paint.   I think this is something that happens to artists a lot.  There are always distractions. For me, working a job can totally derail my creative process.   In our culture, we are told we can have it all, and do it all.  My experience has been if I want to access the authentic deep creative process within myself; I have to create the circumstances in my life in order to tap into this energy. My psyche needs to be ready to receive the gift of creativity and this means not being too busy.   Sure I can paint while I am doing another job but it is not the work that I dream about. So that's why I am painting thumbnails.  This winter the time will come around again.  The time to focus, to dream, the time to contemplate and be alone. I will walk the trails around Magundy and set a sacred time to paint everyday. The wisdom  for me is to use the time I have wisely before I may have to take another job again.   


I a

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Yukon Fall Colours

"Fall Aspens The North Canol"
6x12 Original Acrylic on Canvas


"Road to Tombstone"
6x18 Original Acrylic on Canvas

I love the autumn in the Yukon we do have the most spectacular scenery in the world. 

Saturday 7 June 2014

Ross River Painting Class RPAY

We spent some time painting Yukon Fireweed and Summer. This was
 the results from those attending our local class!
This Program  is Called Art with Heart and is a Senior's Class 
It is all possible thanks to the Funding provided by:
Yukon Parks Association of the Yukon 
and Yukon College.








Saturday 17 May 2014

IMAGES OF OLD CROW

I spent the last week in Old Crow Yukon working with the students through the Artists in the School Program. I worked with the Grades 1,2,3 with Ms. Maclean.  The Grades 4,5,6 with Ms. McCulloch and the Grades 7,8,9 with Ms. Burton.  Approximately 27 youth in total. We had so much fun creating art with Watercolour, Acrylic and Mixed Media. 

I was lucky enough to see the caribou as the river broke and the herd started it's spring migration! I also had the honour of attending the birthday of a 92 year Old Gwichen Elder named Fanny Charlie.  Her family made a feast and served it to the whole community! I stayed with Pat Fortier and Harreson Tanner whose hospitality is legendary. Anyone who is  blessed enough to have them as friends; would know what I mean!  

It was my first time to visit this fly-in Northern community, home of the Vuntut Gwichen First Nation.  If you were to look at the map of Canada's Yukon, you will find Old Crow to be the only community located in the northern Yukon Territory. Situated on the banks of the Porcupine River, Old Crow is isolated from other surrounding communities.  I loved the town and the people and hope to go back there again one day. Below is a video link of the caribou caught on the ice flows.  Happened while I was there, this can be treacherous for them as some caribou do not make it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEkI4DwBNDY






Fanny Charlie,  Gwichen Elder
92 years old

Works from  Students at the Local School
Acrylic and Watercolour