Backcountry Blogging

October 19-Nov 2/2011
Purcell Mountain Lodge
The unique opportunity to care take this amazing back country lodge came up suddenly, and fortunately, my friend Mark and I were able to clear our schedules to take it! In the week that we have been here so far, the high alpine has transformed from rocky and snow-patchy, to completely covered by fresh champagne snow...in other words, a winter wonderland!

Accessible only by helicopter, Purcell Mountain Lodge is perched at 2200 meters (7200’) atop the high alpine slopes of Bald Mountain, in the Canadian Rockies. On the remote border of Canada’s Glacier National Park, there are over 3000 acres of gently rolling alpine meadows to enjoy and explore. The Lodge offers a ski touring program in the winter, and a hiking program in summer. We have been exploring the area by snowshoes, after taking care of our daily care taking duties, of course!

The Lodge is fascinating as well as beautiful, as it is operated by hydro-electric power generated by a nearby mountain stream. This small stream provides ample electricity and crystal-clear drinking water, as well as central heating and hot showers. Remote and comfortable! This is my second visit to Purcell Mountain Lodge. The first time was March 2010, when I was able to bring my painting supplies and make a number of paintings inspired by the area, including this one...

Altitude Elation II 24x32 Acrylic on Canvas $1500.00

Arctic Adventure

September 12-24
I was on an amazing Arctic expedition called Heart of the Arctic offered by Adventure Canada. Our group met in Toronto and flew to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to meet our vessel, the Ocean Nova. For the next 12 days we sailed along the west coast of Greenland and across the Davis Strait to Baffin Island (Nunavut), and northern Quebec (Nunavit). During this time we explored fjords, saw glaciers and icebergs, and picked blueberries while hiking on golden tundra. We visited remote coastal villages and watched local artists engaged in stone carving, tapestry and printmaking. We learned about traditional Inuit life "on the land" and about hunting and fishing camps. We sampled traditional "country foods" such as seal, whale, caribou and muskox, and lots of arctic fish and seafood. We viewed wildlife including seabirds, humpback whales, ringed seals and polar bears. We visited Mallikjuak Inuit archeological site in Cape Dorset and saw Greenland mummies in Nuuk. We had excellent on board lectures and presentations by experts on Inuit art, archeology and culture, Arctic biology and zoology. We had discussion and much insight from local people into contemporary northern issues due to changing climate and environment. We also had inspiring artists, musicians and filmmakers on board including Andrew and Annie Qappik, Mattiusi Iyaituk, JP Hoe and John Houston doing workshops, concerts, screenings and demonstrations. We also enjoyed the company of adventure guide and photographer extraordinaire Mike Beedell.
This was an amazing adventure and incredible learning experience!
I thank the Canada Council for the Arts for supporting my "Northern Ice" project which will use this experience and information as a base to create a series of Arctic-inspired artworks. I also thank Adventure Canada for offering such a safe, enjoyable and well staffed expedition.
I look forward to sharing my photographs and updates of this creative process through my blog, while also preparing for an upcoming public exhibition of this work.