En plein air

It sounds so good en français, but in any language, fresh air is good for the soul.

Have just returned from a six day/five night canoe trip in Northwestern Ontario and boy, did we get a buttful of plein air. I didn’t do a lot of sketching, but a little tells a lot when it comes to images. I hope you’ll agree.

Canoe tripping is a lot of work. You’re either packing or unpacking, paddling or setting up camp, cooking or cleaning up. By sunset you’re pooped and ready for bed. We were travelling in a group of six (three canoes) so things like meals were shared, taking turns, so that’s where the a little time can be found to sneak off to do a little fishing, or doodling.

According to the Tate Modern Gallery, London, “En plein air painting was an important technical approach in the development of naturalism.” Artists started painting landscapes outside, instead of in the studio, really looking at what was in front of them. A lot of innovation followed from this method of observation and having to work relatively quickly with the materials at hand. The days of academic salon painting were coming to an end.

Red pine, two cedars and water lilies, watercolour and ink on paper in a 6” x 9” Moleskin sketchbook.

Yes, there’s a ‘toon.

One of our group brought a New Yorker to read, as well as a book. I left my phone at home on purpose, ditto reading materials, but then ended up asking him to borrow the mag. This gag was irresistible.

Is there something in this? I’ll have to ask Jason Chatfield and Scott Dooley. Stay tuned. (Btw, I do know how to spell “bird,” not sure what happened there, or how The New Yorker became a pharmacy:)

You can’t really pick a favourite place on a trip like this. Each one is unique. But the pool below this beaver dam waterfall was literally teeming with fish. Sadly our fisherman was using old 2 lb. line that kept breaking so we did not get to enjoy fresh walleye, this time. Fish - 6, Man - 0.

Collected a few souvenirs too, maybe to be fashioned into quill pens. Will have to ask Process Junkie about that. :)

Hope you are enjoying your summer, getting away to where and however you can.

Thanks for reading. See you in a week.