Yukon Sunset at Twin Lakes

22x28 Original Acrylic on Canvas

Sunset at Twin Lakes

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

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. 

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.

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 

Fisheye Lake Reflections, Larger Work Completed

Fisheye Lake Reflections

Original Acrylic on Canvas

48x48

This piece is available for sale. 

Small Watercolours, Winter Images

A few of the watercolour cards  I have done in the last couple of months.

Original Watercolour on Arches

4x6 inches

"Winter Blues"

Watercolour on Arches

4x6 inches

"Serenity"

sold

 "Winter Cabin"

Original Watercolour on Arches

4x6 inches

sold

 Solitude

Original Watercolour on Arches

4x6 inches

sold

 Snowflake

Original Watercolour on Arches

4x6 inches

 Evening Star

Original Watercolour on Arches

4x6 inches

Christmas Reindeer

Original Watercolour on Arches

4x6 inches

Katy Peeling

Katy has been attending the Seniors Art Classes in Faro. She is a very talented artist and I am sure after our last class on Feb. 22 she will continue to paint.  I love her work. Her  use  of colour and her wonderful drawing skills really show.  But most of all her skill at putting a composition together is something that really stands out for me about her work. 

All are Original 6x8 Acrylic on Canvas Board

Value Study in Black and White 

 Value Study in Colour

Impasto Acrylic

Fisheye Lake, A Larger Painting in Stages

This painting measures 48 inches by 48 inches.  This is quite a large work for me.  

It requires discipline and patience because it is not an alla prima work.  I like immediate results, but putting the time and effort in make it all worthwhile. 

This post shows four different sessions/stages  that lasted a few hours each, the last one being closer to 5 hours;  

the work is not done yet. 

There will be another post to show the finished piece.

Ross River Recreation and Arts Programming, RPAY and Yukon College

Art and Recreation go hand and hand.  It has been an honour for me to share with people my love of painting and realize that this is something that really improves the quality of of their lives.  There is a lot of research about art as recreation and how it promotes health in a holistic way.  I am not going to write a whole bunch about it here but will share with you Ross River's artwork from out last session together and my conviction that it is very healthy for them and me.

I am headed to Ross River again today, it is -38 out there,  keep warm everyone and travel safe!

Samples below from last week's class in Ross River.  It always amazes me when I see the results at the end of our time together.