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THE MONASTERY
Mixed media on plywood 40”x 48"
2018
Paro Taktsang or “The Tiger’s Nest” Monastery sits on the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. Prayer flags blow across the valley in dramatic fashion as mist moves, often hiding the temple complex from view. Drukpa, a thunder dragon and patron protector of Bhutan rules the sky and is an ever present symbol of strength and benevolence. The jewel in his claw captures a mythical moment in time recognizing the sacredness of this place and the sages who meditated in this cave. The artist painted this memory and narrative in response to her gratitude for the experiences she had in Bhutan while travelling in 2008.
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THE SKIER
Mixed media on plywood 30” x 48”
2019
Backcountry skiing in the East Kootenays, British Columbia, Canada is like finding yourself in deep powder heaven. In these regions intrepid backcountry skiers drive snowmobiles first to access the untouched slopes. Once the sledding is done, backcountry skiers must still work for their vertical which means breaking trail and "skinning up" to the top of the slope before the breathtaking experience of floating on snow can begin. Shawn is feeling the magic of this blue bird ski day.
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WHITEROSE TRAVERSE
Mixed media on plywood
36” x 60”
2017
The Whiterose Traverse is about 100 kilometers north of the town of Golden,
British Columbia, Canada.
Access is challenging other than by air, thus it is primarily visited by climbers interested in the summit of Mt. Alexandra (11,116 ft / 3388 m) (to the right, not painted). Listed as one of the 54 mountains over 11,000 ft in
the Canadian Rockies, Mt. Alexandra was the goal of this climbing party.
Once reaching the summit of Mt. Alexandra, the team decided to continue on to adjacent Whiterose Mountain, completing the Whiterose Traverse which offers panoramic views of the mountains and hanging glaciers rarely seen on foot.
The result was a memorable day that included a brief stop to appreciate the late afternoon alpine glow before the long descent to their campsite by the alpine lake far below.
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TEMBO
Mixed media on plywood
32” x 32”
2017
Tembo is Swahili for elephant. The artist took the photo in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania, Africa in 2000. Tembo engaged in a game of chase with the safari jeep while on a gravel road, catching up to the jeep surprisingly fast. Luckily the game was over when the driver was forced into reverse and off the road to avoid the advancing Tembo. Tembo kept on moving while motioning with his ears and trunk in a manner that was less than welcoming but not hostile. He surprised the safari guide and driver with his saucy fearlessness and provided an unforgettable display of vitality, power and gracefulness that left the artist breathless.
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MONGOLIA
Mixed media on plywood 30” x 48”
2019
Mongolia offers quintessential adventure in the rugged outdoors. Ghengis Khan’s legacy continues within the eternal blue sky and sweeping landscapes dotted with nomadic herders and their iconic Gers. Travelling west to the Altai Mountain Range on a climbing expedition to Mt Khuiten, travel included a decrepit russian plane, vehicles of a similar vintage, horses, and eventually foot power. The wild beauty of Mongolia and its cultural significance to western civilization make it worthy of a pilgrimage.
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DIRECTISSMA
Mixed media on plywood 36” x 48”
2018
The airy and dramatic rock climb Directissma is located on the sweeping rockface of Yamnuska, which stands as a gateway to the front range of the Canadian Rockies, 45 minutes west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Tom plans his physical moves carefully in his mind before he continues along the rock face.
The view eastward shows the sprawling foothills merging into prairie.
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DESCENDING MT. STANLEY
Mixed media on plywood
36” x 48”
2016
Stanley Peak (10,351 ft / 3,155 m)
Kootenay National Park, Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, Canada.
A team of climbers moved under clear conditions to successfully make the summit of Mt. Stanley.
As renowned alpinist Ed Viestures is known to say: “Getting to the top of a mountain is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
Nic begins the delicate task of route-finding down the backside of the mountain. Descending requires extra care as the afternoon light wanes, the summit high-fives are in the past and climbers become fatigued.
The mountain climb formally ends when one has successfully
navigated the final hazard – the drive home.
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THE PENCIL
Mixed media on plywood
36” x 48”
2014
Located between Lake Louise and Jasper, Alberta, Canada, along the Icefield Parkway (Hwy #93North) The Pencil (as named by the first party to have climbed it) is a remote, free-standing, 45 metre pillar of ice found high in the Rocky Mountains. The Pencil rarely forms from top to bottom, only staying stable long enough to climb perhaps every seven years. Much depends on the seasonal conditions and how the ice has formed. The brevity of ideal conditions, location and skillset required to successfully ascend The Pencil make it a coveted accomplishment by committed and adept ice climbers such as Jason.
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Journey
Mixed media on plywood
24” x 48”
2021
Journey begins a narrative connected to working ceremoniously with a visionary brew.
One holds the mystical substance opening the portals of consciousness, archetype, dimension and mystery.
In the fashion of the Hero’s Journey the painting invites us to experience our own journey as we gaze into the unknown.
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The Nebula : Westerlund 2
Mixed media on plywood
36” x 48”
2021
Nebulas are primal nurseries, birthing all life as we know it. The beauty of form, colour, depth and diversity of nebulas within galaxies are endless as we begin to peer deeper into the depths of space.
NASA Description: Located 20,000 light-years away in the constellation Carina, the young cluster and starforming region Westerlund 2 fills this cosmic scene. Captured with Hubble's cameras in near-infrared and visible light, the stunning image is a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope on April 24, 1990. The cluster's dense concentration of luminous, massive stars is about 10 light-years across. Strong winds and radiation from those massive young stars have sculpted and shaped the region's gas and dust, into starforming pillars that point back to the central cluster. Red dots surrounding the bright stars are the cluster's faint newborn stars, still within their natal gas and dust cocoons.
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HYDROPHOBIA
Mixed media on plywood17” x 22”
2013
Hydrophobia stands dramatic and majestic nestled within the hard to access Ghost Front Range of the Canadian Rockies roughly 2hrs Northwest of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Walking into the cathedral of rock and ice is a transcendant experience. Successfully climbing this frozen work of art makes one glad to be alive.
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THE MURAL
Mixed media on plywood
48" x 96"
2012
The Mural was painted in 2012 while the artist lived with her parents on the north shore of Fraser Lake, British Columbia, Canada. It is a visual narrative of history, hopes, miracles and features two women; Saint Therese of Lisieux and Rose Prince. Symbols and imagery are brought to life in mythical and unexpected ways. The viewer is invited to engage with the mysterious power of visual connection and is welcomed to dialogue with their own history, identity and creative story as did the artist while she painted.