This winter I delved into reminiscing over the summer months; walking under the suns heat, watching nature thrive and flourish as I walked. This winter has been tough for us all so I decided to escape into the world of painting. I wanted to share the practical behind the scenes process for my recent painted paddles, as well as a video that puts together some of the process as well as why I choose to paint. Thank you for making your way here, I hope you enjoy reading and feel inspired!
Finding Inspiration…
I fully embrace my childlike ability to always be looking at the ground, searching for treasures! My recent work has celebrated this childlike joy; to look closer at our landscape and notice the small wonders we too often overlook. When you look close enough, there is a whole new world waiting to be discovered. I had already decided I wanted to paint three paddles as a series celebrating the place I call home; the Bow Valley. I played around with different ideas but non stuck, eventually my guiding thought became representing the land/waters, flora and fauna. After I found this to guide me, the images fell into place and I knew exactly what to paint.
* Please be respectful of the places you visit. Follow leave no trace actions, respect locations where you are not allowed to take any objects (Parks), keep your distance with wildlife (and stay in your car), and DO NOT pick wildflowers.
Land and Water: Bow River Pebbles
Here in the Bow Valley, the Bow River makes its course. Winding its way through Banff National Park, it makes its way through the prairies, meeting the Oldman River, finally ending their journey in the Hudson Bay. The river is fed by the Bow Glacier in Banff National Park. It was this glacier which carved the Bow Valley before retreating. The land I walk on has been massively influenced by the movement of glaciers; you can feel their power and grandeur radiate as you stand among them.
One evening in the summer, I sat by the Bow, playing with the rocks. As I set them on the ground, I moved them around, allowing the lines to connect them all. Like looking a a river on a map, or the veins of your arm.
I wanted this visual story to represent the history of the water and land, as well as how our waters connect us. Water is continuing to be a topic of debate as we face pollution and climate change. Within Alberta, we are fighting to protect our waters from coal mining pollution. When we study these waters more closely we cannot argue how interconnected they are with the life of this planet. Our rivers are the veins of the earth; providing what it needs to survive. If harm is done to one area of the river, it flows to the rest.
Flora: Red Paintbrush
Surrounding my home is montane lodgepole-pine woods. The golden light filters through the straight and sparse pine trees, illuminating the dry forest floor. Pine cones half eaten or full litter the floor, grasses sway in the gentle breeze, buffalo-berry and juniper grow in abundance. The forest smells of earth and a ripe summer, and bees sing their song as they pass.
Among all the green, a welcome sight of red, orange and pink is dotted among the floor. Paintbrushes reach towards the sun light and flourish in these forests. This flower is among my favourites; multiple variants live across Canada, so each one feels like a new discovery. It is a welcome sight to hikers, as you can sip the nectar, and the sight of it reaching up to the sun always reminds me to stand a little taller and appreciate the sun too.
Fauna: Ruffed Grouse Feather
One of my favourite forest finds are feathers; new to the world of birding, I am not familiar with plumage so its incredibly exciting to research what feather I have found. Finding feathers is easier than finding other signs of animals; without finding the animal itself. Living in a wildlife corridor we are lucky enough to share this home with bears, elk, cougars and wolves. Deserving of our respect, it is important to be Wild Smart, keeping lots of distance, and carry bear spray. Living here, you are reminded daily of the beauty of our planet, and how much of an impact we have on our wild neighbours. I have cycled past a black bear on my way home from work, and backtracked on walks because elk are blocking the path. The wildlife of this valley are what make it such a unique place to live, and I am honoured to be their neighbours.
I found the ruffed grouse feather on the outskirts of town. These crow sized birds remain on the ground foraging for food, remaining elusive and well hidden thanks to their colouring.
Getting Started…
After deciding what to paint; it was time to sketch out my designs. I trace a paddle on a large piece of paper and completed my sketch within the outline. This helps me to envision the placement and ensure the size of my image will work on the paddle. I may create a few different sketches of each idea to fully flesh them out and choose what composition will be best.
Once I am happy with the sketches I carbon copy them onto my paddles by rubbing graphite onto the back of the sketch. Gently placing them onto the paddle, I secure the paper down with tape, and use a pencil to trace overtop of my lines. I have to press down hard enough to ensure the graphite on the back of the paper will transfer, but I do not want to indent the wood.
Once I transfer my sketch to the wood, I gesso (a paint that prepares surfaces for painting) my painting areas with a total of three layers; carefully sanding in-between each layer. Once the final layer had been sanded, I go back over top with my pencil, using my original sketch as a reference to add in the details of my sketch.
*I didn’t have any problem prepping my paddles this way, but I now use a clear gesso on the entire paddle to prep for painting. Doing this makes the process more streamlined, and I can transfer my sketch after applying clear gesso and then jump right into painting!
Jumping into painting!
When starting all paintings, I always take the time to observe what it is I’m painting. I take note of the shapes and values I see, what textures are very pronounced, and what colours I notice, with all of their beautiful under tones. My initial sketch is not only a great way to figure out my composition, it is also my chance to take note of these observations. I keep my sketches handy as I am painting as a reference.
I started by adding thin base layers to establish my colour and values, gradually working up my paint to add texture and details. To create my river pebbles I used a lot of dry brush stippling with a filbert brush to blend the values and add texture to the pebbles. The pebbles were my favourite to paint! For both the Paintbrush and Ruffed Grouse Feather, I used more controlled brush strokes that flowed in the direction of growth.
Once I felt my paintings were complete it was time to let them dry completely and then give them three coats of a clear varnish!
I hope this gave you some insight as to how I create my painted paddles! The video below shows you more of the process I have spoken about; I hope you enjoy!