Natalie McMaster and her daughter Mary Francis playing alongside the video of 17 year old Emily Tuck, murdered a week ago, was both a heartbreaking but also beautiful moment during yesterday’s “Nova Scotia Remembers.” Thanks to all those who contributed to the online vigil dedicated the all those beautiful souls who are no longer with us.
Since it continues to be National Park Week and in follow up to yesterday’s revisit to Bryce Canyon how could I not post the second day of our visit when we hiked into the Amphitheatre. What a day that was.
But first, today’s painting from the studio: Pacific Spirit III with continuing thoughts of those grieving in Nova Scotia; also today in Toronto on the second anniversary of the attack on Yonge Street; and of course all who are mourning loved ones lost to Covid-19.
The heartache continues as our brave healthcare workers and volunteers are there for us each and every day and we thank them all.
Studio 365: Day 113 April 23, 2015
The Navajo Loop Trail from Sunset point descending into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheatre.
The perfect finish to our visit to Bryce Canyon hiking the Navajo Trail into the Amphitheatre, connecting with the Queens Garden Trail and returning to the canyon rim at Sunrise Point. Look for Queen Victoria in the photo gallery.
One final view before leaving this precious jewel of a place and a thank you to the National Park Service for maintaining it so perfectly for us all to enjoy.
Five years ago today we visited Antelope Canyon in Arizona. My paintings and photographs from that never-to-be-forgotten visit have taken on new meaning today, as we continue to grieve for Nova Scotia.
Here is the original post from 5 years ago. Enjoy our visit to Owl Canyon
and learn about the feather on my studio wall.
A treasure in Owl Canyon
Who would have thought it could get any better, but today was another magical day with unforgettable visits to Owl, Rattlesnake and Upper Antelope Canyons. Here are a selection of more amazing images to share with you, and many thanks for all your comments and visits.
The feather from a great horned owl from our visit to Owl Canyon will indeed be the treasure of the trip. It will take pride of place in the studio back home and I can’t wait to use it for more pen and ink drawings. I did ask our Navajo guide Kim, from Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours, if I could keep the feather and she very graciously gave her permission. Thank you Kim for a day we will never forget.
On to Bryce Canyon tomorrow.
Nova Scotia Strong
As I post my second painting inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Spirit Park I am learning of the tragic new from Portapique in Nova Scotia. I send my thoughts and condolences to all those grieving the loss of family, friends and colleagues. Tonight we are all Nova Scotia, from the Pacific to the Atlantic.🇨🇦
The Pacific Spirit Park came to the studio this afternoon after our walk in the woods on this beautiful Saturday in Vancouver. A moment to reflect, as I do each day, on the dedication and Spirit here by the Pacific of all of our Front Line Healthcare Workers and Volunteers. They are all amazing and we say thank you each and every day.
Salute to a hero 17.4.20
Captain Tom Moore completed his goal of walking the 82-foot length of his garden back and forth 100 times before his 100th birthday on April 30th and in the process raised $23 million for Britain’s NHS. Soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment formed a guard of honor and saluted him as he crossed the finishing line. Can there be a more uplifting moment for us all to be inspired by?
12.4.20
Spending time in the studio during this time of self-isolation I have been enjoying putting into action the word’s of Tony Smibert from his wonderful book Painting Landscapes from your Imagination. During the summer of 2016 I undertook all of the exercises in his book and some of you may have followed my progress at that time. Here is a re-post of one of them, which reminds me of how much fun I had during that memorable summer four years ago.
In Chapter 2 of Painting Landscapes from your Imagination Tony Smibert describes the Nature of Watercolor:
“The essence of painting in watercolour is to understand and work with the simple mysteries
of suspension, settling and drying, which takes place everytime we lay down a wash.”
He then adds perhaps the perfect mantra for watercolour painting:
“There are no rules in watercolour, only consequences”
Today’s exercises, which are full of “consequences”, some more successful than others, finishes Chapter 6 with more washes, dots, dabs and the addition of knife work to remove the dried paint creating white highlights from the underlying paper.
There are lots more great exercises to re-visit.
I wish everyone a peaceful Sunday but if you are working please know you are never out of my thoughts.
A little light relief, with a message from one of our newest essential workers. Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend as we thank all those who will be working for us while we stay at home, and thinking about all those whom we have so sadly lost.
thechangingpalette 