Canadian history is rich with canoe stories and it remains an important feature of Canadian identity.

First Nations crafted birch bark canoes for transportation. Later, Voyagers used the canoe for fur trading.

Our Prime Minister has been spotted in a canoe more than once.

Among my Canadian collectors, 95% have paddled or ridden in a canoe. The other 5% just aren’t old enough yet.

My Dad was at the helm the first time I sat as a child in a canoe. I was wonderstruck by the unique visual perspective. It was awe inspiring, perched below the water line, lake expanse before me, shorelines shimmering in my sightline, gentle water’s echo surrounding us.

“Early Morning” new 24×30 oil

Many Canadians share canoe stories rich with transforming experiences, bonding friendships, and family history.

I wasn’t surprised Kyra Paterson’s amazing photo of Algonquin was taken on her first paddling adventure with her daughter. (click on highlight text to read Kyra’s post)

Kyra Paterson photo

Thou I rarely ask to paint from another’s photos, hers begged to be explored with a brush. Thanks to Kyra for graciously sharing.

Her photo sparked expedition reflections paddling in the misty morning light, and as a child with my family.

 Dawn & Joanie McGuffin

 People often ask what feeds the art, what inspires it, where do the ideas come from?

“So much of what we do as artists is a combination of personal experience and imagination, and how that all creeps into your work is not so linear. “Diana Krall

Elements that fuel the work can be physical, emotional, intellectual, historical. Influences may be found in daily experiences and interactions, other art forms, like music.

Influences that brought “Early Morning” to life include:

Kyra’s heartwarming story & photo.( above).

The universal love Canadians share of paddling and personal trip experiences/ photos below.

Palette inspired by yesterday’s misty morning nature walk. ( with nature friends) and autumn prairie hills of home last month.

 

Music in the studio for this painting included:

“Huntsville” Ken Yates

“Serenity and Light” Our Abandon

“What a Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong

“Storms Never Stay” sung by my Dad.

“This Gift” Glen Hansard

“Let the Mystery In” Clarence Bucaro

“Fields of Gold” Eva Cassidy.

~

Looking for a paddling experience in northern Canada?Highly recommended Canoe North is an award winning expedition company recognized as A Canadian Signature Experience.