I was honoured to participate in the DRAW retreat 2021 with CPAWS-OV and many talented artists. Their Dumoine River Art for Wilderness retreat had us exploring, learning, and creating art in support of CPAWS OV’s efforts to protect the Dumoine, Noire, and Coulonge Rivers. To learn more or to get involved in their conservation efforts, visit their website: https://cpaws-ov-vo.org/
I will continue to donate 20% of the sale price of any studio/en plein air paintings I’ve done inspired by the Dumoine to CPAWS-OV to help in their conservation efforts.
Painting 1
This first en plein air painting was at a familiar spot near the Grand Chutes. When I first attended the DRAW retreat in 2018, I painted from here as well. At this spot, the roar of the falls drowns out any other sounds, so you can get pretty immersed in what you’re doing.
Painting 2
The DRAW retreat 2021 was a unique experience for all of us, as we adjusted to the impact of the pandemic on our time there. All the artists were very cooperative and committed to everyone’s safety, and we thoroughly enjoyed each others’ company. 
This next en plein air painting was a contrast to the first. Here at a marsh in the Dumoine wilderness, it was quiet and still. It was hard to not imagine a moose strolling out into the water, but I saw only frogs, ducks, loons, and songbirds. I painted alone here the first day and then went back another day with two artists to paint more.
Painting 3
I took many photos which will provide source material back in the studio, but there’s something pretty special about painting en plein air. Yes, there’s a lot of bugs, but you forget about them as you settle into your surroundings and paint. You become the place. 
I worked at this spot upstream from the Chutes a couple times. It’s still pretty loud here, but it’s mostly behind you as you look upstream to the calmer water. For an on-the-spot experience, check out this video. It starts looking over at the beginning of the portage around the Grand Chutes and ends looking upstream where my easel is standing on a rock in the water.