A Journey Painting: There and Back

There and Back, 24" x 30", Acrylic, $600 - Location - all over Western Canada

Every year, the Kelowna Art Gallery holds a Members Show. And each year they come up with a challenging theme for the show.  When I was reflecting on this year’s theme of Maps and Mapping, I began to think of the earliest maps that mankind used.  

These were basically images of landmarks that, if followed, led you to a specific location, perhaps for hunting or fishing.  This led me to think of the annual journey that my husband and I take each spring to Northern Manitoba for fishing (and, of course, painting).

I put together nine pictures using Photoshop

I decided to make a painting that would be composed of images from our journey to The Pas, Manitoba and back.  I sifted through the literally thousands of pictures I have taken over the years and put together nine. Some of these images are actually paintings that I had already done.

The images start in the Okanagan with the view of Duck Lake from Beaver Lake Road, then through the Rockies, across the prairies to Manitoba and a view of poplar trees screening a large lake.  The central image shows that the fishing is good at sunset followed by another part of the lake where we have had great fishing.  Then back through the prairies to the Rockies and home to the vineyards of the Okanagan.

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Colour Study

I did a pencil sketch, playing with the way I might tie these images together.  It looked good so I proceed with a colour study, done in watercolour.

Pleased with the result, I decided to go ahead with a full painting (24” x 30”) in acrylic. 

The result is what I have come to think of as my Journey Painting.  I hope you enjoy it.

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