Today I was scheduled to go to the CPAWS-OV 2020 DRAW Retreat. But, it’s 2020 and we’re all practising physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, I’m posting my latest completed piece, Painting the Grand Chutes.

This painting depicts one of the painters who was at the 2018 DRAW Retreat with me. Phil “the Forecaster” Chadwick, nuclear physicist turned meteorologist, paints mostly “en plein air” allowing his passion for life and the environment to shine through the canvas. Phil was painting the Grand Chutes from the bridge over the Dumoine River. The bridge is being replaced this summer, so I’m glad I’ve done a few paintings of it. It had character!

Here is a glimpse of just five of the 15 artists who were selected to attend the 2020 DRAW Retreat. A few people are going up this week to the Dumoine and will practice physical distancing. We hope to gather at the end of October there too, if the health climate allows for it then.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s pre-eminent, national community-based voice for public wilderness protection. The Ottawa Valley Chapter of CPAWS (CPAWS-OV) works to protect public lands in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas. Established in 1969 when a group of concerned citizens learned about major development plans for Gatineau Park, the Chapter has since become involved in many issues of wilderness protection in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. Consider making a donation to help protect Canada’s wilderness.

Each of the artists on the DRAW Retreat donate artwork to CPAWS-OV. These are then exhibited (when we can hold exhibits again) and auctioned off to raise money for CPAWS-OV.

You can see more of my artwork on my website. Contact me for more information or to schedule an appointment to see my studio and work for sale.