In my first canoe over canoe rescue lesson I hadn’t expected to have so much fun.
But then, instruction by two of the best paddlers in Canada is a pretty good start.
After all, Joanie & Gary McGuffin have written bestselling books on the subject.
Their list of accomplishments is astounding.

New SHORE 12×16 oil on canvas

I have been inspired to write about the McGuffins since we met.
My only problem?
Where to start.

Thank goodness for the availability of links provided for you to peruse in this post.
Peruse you should, their wilderness expeditions read like Hollywood movie material.
Their dedicated conservation work is recognized across Canada.
The McGuffins are recipients of the Premier’s Award and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Achievement in exploration, wilderness preservation and environmental education.

I first met Joanie, Gary and Sila McGuffin ( & malamute Luna) in Thunder Bay, ON,
the initial leg of our Expedition for the project
“Visions of the Boreal Forest”.

New BOREAL 4ft x2ft original oil on canvas

We journeyed a month in secluded wilderness.

Julia Hargreaves photo ~ Gary McGuffin & Dawn

You learn a lot about people spending a month with them in isolated wilderness.

Julia Hargreaves photo~ Sila & Joanie McGuffin

The McGuffins are humble & gracious folk, whose passion is infectious.
They have a deep respect for our wild spaces, and the human history that makes our beautiful country, Canada.
A country which has tremendous diversity and rich culture.
The McGuffin’s mission: “Inspiring people to reconnect with the natural world”.

When we met, they were in the midst of working on a book project with art historian Michael Burtch,
searching for vistas that inspired the Group of Seven.
The 8 year project morphed into a film, “Painted Land” recently released by White Pine Pictures.

Here is the part where you dig frantically for your calendars.
This is a film you don’t want to miss.
Nor do you wish to forgo the companion digital media site.

You will be led on a remarkable journey transforming Gary’s incredible photography into the Group of Seven’s own brushstrokes, merging into the masterpieces known today.
It takes expert wilderness and historical knowledge to discover these vistas, and a keen artistic eye to capture landscapes in near exact circumstance shown in the art.
Imagine the patience necessary to capture a scene like this.

I recently spoke to Gary about the film, in true McGuffin fashion,
he deflected my compliments on their tireless work, simply praising White Pine Pictures, their team, and efforts to bring the project into fruition.

Julia Hargreaves photo from Boreal Expedition

The trailer gives me the best kind of goosebumps.
It captures our imagination, bringing the wilderness spirit alive in film, photography and iconic art.
I am enthusiastically waiting on the edge of my seat
( with tissue on hand) to see the film.

Shown at the International Vancouver Film Festival a review by Georgia Straight‘s Janet Smith states
“A must for Group of Seven fans, and a true eye-opener for those who only know a few of the gang’s iconic Canadian paintings.
A trio of experts sets out into the Lake Superior–area wilderness to try to find the exact spots where the men set their vivid landscapes. Their journey is mixed with fascinating archival footage and diaries that illuminate the way these guys camped in remote rustic cabins and train cars—an artists’ story as romantic, in its own way, as any set in turn-of-the-century Paris.”
~
South of the border, a Group of Seven member is celebrated this month.
Ironically the exhibit “The Idea North” of Lawen Harris opens at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles October 11th.
Curated by the actor/ musician/ avid art collector & Harris fan,
Steve Martin.
JORI FINKEL of the NY Times writes one of the most interesting & indepth articles on the exhibit. (SEPT. 25, 2015)
Martin says “I have loved the work for so long. And a loving curator is an asset to an artist, probably”.
I am inclined to agree, Mr. Martin.
~
A special note of thanks to Julia Hargreaves brilliant artist, dear friend & team member in the boreal, for sharing her amazing photos.

Julia Hargreaves- DB photo