en plein air paintings
Although my very first oil painting at the age of 12 was a plein air painting, it was when I first travelled to the Arctic in 2002 that I fully understood the value of en plein air painting. For the first half of the trip, every time we went ashore from the ship I would take my paint box, find the perfect location, sit and paint. But, on that trip we didn’t have a lot of time ashore, so I decided to explore and take photographs for the second half of the trip. When I got home, I could clearly remember every detail of where the paintings were done including the sounds, smells, and any people I chatted with while I was there. When I looked at the many photographs I couldn’t remember exactly where they were taken or any other details. Photographs are 2-dimensional. There is such great value in experiencing the 3-dimensional landscape while painting.
AVAILABLE EN PLEIN AIR PAINTINGS
View From Pond Inlet, 2015
12" x 16" Oil on Canvas | $750
One of the first Arctic plein air paintings I did was sitting on the sandy shore in Pond Inlet looking across to Bylot Island. When I came back south, I went to McMichael Gallery and saw that my favourite artist Lawren Harris also stood at the exact spot in 1930 and painted the view. So overtime I get back to Pond Inlet I make sure to paint this view.
Dancing Iceberg, Davis Straight, 2016
12" x 16" oil on Panel | $750
Nothing like watching the icebergs dance by the ship while travelling in the Arctic.
DEVON ISLAND, NUNAVUT, 2015
12" X 16" OIL ON PANEL | $750
Took a break from teaching art workshops, and found my quiet spot on a rock surrounded by vast beauty.
CHURCH IN SISIMIUT, GREENLAND, 2015
12" X 16" OIL ON PANEL | $750
Love exploring the little communities in Greenland and then finding a shed to lean against and open my paintbox. The buildings were so colourful and happy.
Sitka, Alaska, 2023
12" x 16" Oil on Panel | $750
In 2023, I took my first trip to Alaska. It was interesting to compare the similarities and differences between the western Arctic and the eastern Arctic (where I normally travel to). This view was painted from my balcony on the ship.
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska, 2023
12" x 16" Oil on Panel | $750
This is the largest calving glacier on the North American continent and one of the few glaciers that is growing despite the effects of climate change. This view was painted from the ship
JIMMY ROWES POND, WHITEWAY NEWFOUNDLAND. 2023
12" X 16" Oil on Panel | $750
We decided last minute to take a trip to Newfoundland and found a dog-friendly Airbnb in Whiteway. This was the view from our deck. It was such a peaceful spot to enjoy our morning coffee.
SHAG ROCK, WHITEWAY NEWFOUNDLAND, 2023
12" X 16" Oil on Panel | $750
Across the road from our Airbnb in Whiteway, Nfld was Shag Rock. I grabbed my paint box and sat on the pebbled beach to paint.
St. Matthews 1880 Church, Green Harbour, Newfoundland
12" x 16" Oil on Panel | $750
I was inspired by the light shining on this church, it’s architecture and the history of all those that visited before me.
SOLD EN PLEIN AIR PAINTINGS
House at Hebron, Labrador
16″ x 12″ oil on panel painted en plein air | SOLD
The history of this location is heartbreaking. An Inuit settlement was forced to relocate leaving behind their homes, their lives. Being able to visit with my Inuit friends who’s ancestors lived here was very emotional.
Beached Icebergs on Tidal Flats, Pangnirtung, 2004
12" x 16" Oil on Panel | NFS
Sitting on the sandy shore, trying to decide if I loved the white mountain top jutting into the sky, or the pattern of the tidal flats more … or those beached berg bits, the culture, the people - one of my favourite places.
PAPINEAU CREEK, 2015
12" X 16" Oil on Panel | SOLD
Amongst many blackflies, I sat on the rock with the water rushing past me, and painted this scene.