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Recent/Blog

News and blog posts about recent works, workshops, events, presentations, expeditions and exhibitions by Canadian artist David McEown.

Svalbard Autumn Impressions in Watercolour

David McEown

We just arrived home after an inspiring photo and sketching trip in Svalbard. The Following three minute highlight reel features video and watercolour paintings merging to showcase the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife encountered during an autumn expedition to Svalbard. (art and video by David McEown, with additional video by Daisy Gilardini). It was wonderful to experience the autumn light and fresh snow, which illuminated and enhanced many incredible wildlife encounters. Many thanks to Amazing Views Photo & Adventure Tours and Daisy Gilardini Photography and our guests and crew who made this a special trip!

The following selection of painting were sketched on location as our small ship navigated its way through ice and some completed later in the studio . These plein-air sketches are indispensable captures of the complex and surreal colour and light effects cast by glaciers and drift ice.

“Smeerenberg Glacier”, 8 × 15 inches watercolour

Photos by David McEown, captured with a Nikon Z9 and an 800mm Nikkor lens; Aurora shot on an iPhone 16.

The following studio paintings are examples of work inspired by trips in Svalbard. To view more artwork please visit my Arctic Wonders page that also includes gallery links to locations that I have painted while circumnavigating the arctic and visiting the North Pole numerous times.

“Polar Shorelines”, 29 x 40 Inches watercolour

“Surfacing Ice”, 22 x 30 inches, watercolour from a few years ago.

“High Arctic Summer", 22 x 30 inches watercolour

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Southeast Alaska with Canadian Geographic

David McEown

This three-minute video features highlights from our trip, including my watercolour painting process on location. Paintings, video, and photography by David McEown, with additional video contributions by Daisy Gilardini.

“Baranof Island”, 7.75 x 22 inches watercolour

In August 2025, we embarked on a Canadian Geographic expedition aboard Maple Leaf Adventures' converted historic tugboat, MV Swell, exploring the secluded corners of southeast Alaska with 10 other adventurous guests and hard working crew.

It was inspiring to have access to hidden tidewater glacier fronts, lush rainforests, and brown bears fishing for salmon. I produced many plein air watercolour paintings during repositioning transits or early in the morning before we lifted anchor, only to be delightfully distracted by the abundance of humpback and orca whales!

I look forward to working on more sustained, mountain-inspired paintings inspired by this trip in the future.

Many thanks again to Maple Leaf Adventures for having Daisy and I onboard as Royal Canadian Geographical Society Travel Ambassadors.

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Zambia

David McEown

I just returned back home after an incredibly inspiring trip to South Luangwa National Park  in Zambia. One of the highlights was a few special encounters with this wonderful Leopard in which i had a chance to sketch and work on from my photo reference during midday breaks from our  guided wildlife viewing sessions. So many videos, art  and stories to share !

“Leopard Study n.1”, 11 x15 inches watercolour by David McEown

Thanks to Daisy Gilardini for organizing this memorable trip with a wonderful group of photographers and creative folks. Also a big thank you to the amazing people of Africa who hosted us and those who help protect these parks, reserves and precious wildlife.

“Lions No. 1, South Luangwa” – 11 x 15 inches, watercolour @davidmceown

While wondering where the lions were after hearing them close to camp a few weeks ago, we found them snoozing not far away, across the river, basking in the early morning light.

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Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bears

David McEown

Over several days in the khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary, we were able to witness the courtship of these grizzly bears. Some of the play and dance was just wonderful to record with my Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600-180mm lens and from the safety of our guides steady boat.

It was inspiring to revisit the  grizzly bears in their sacred primordial home of the Khutzeymateen. In the spring after a long hibernation , hungry  bears come down to the shoreline and feed on the fresh sedges offering incredible opportunities to view and sketch these bears in their natural habitat.

The Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary  in the North Coast region of British Columbia  was established in 1994 by BC Parks to protect critical habitat for the region's grizzly bear population, home to one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears in Canada.

Coast Tsimshian First Nations depend upon this area, as they have for thousands of years, as the source of their social, economic and cultural prosperity. The Coast Tsimshian First Nations, and the Gitsi’is Tribe collaboratively manage the protected areas and access requires a permit. Many thanks to Daisy Gilardini for organizing and leading this creative trip and Khutzeymateen Wilderness Lodge for the hospitality and great guided tours. I look forward to working on studio paintings inspired by this trip.

It is both humbling and rare to have the opportunity to draw Grizzly bears in their natural habitat. This small bear was out in the intertidal zone, feeding on clams and other tasty treats to complement its spring diet of sedges. After capturing numerous photos and videos for painting references, I sketch as much as possible and take time to simply appreciate that places like this still exist in the world.

Thanks to our amazing, respectful bear guides and driver during our two-week trip in the breathtaking Khutzeymateen in northern BC. More videos and photos coming soon. 

Sleep Time! While photographing wildlife at high tide in the Khutzeymateen, we observed a male grizzly bear taking a nap on a large log. Remarkably, it turned out to be the same bear we had photographed two years prior in the same place. It appears that bears have their preferred spots to rest and keep dry above the rising waters of the estuary. Later during our excursion, we witnessed him attempting to captivate and court a younger female bear, but unfortunately, his efforts were unsuccessful.
We searching for optimal photo composition but as he was in a deep slumber I decided to draw numerous sketches. I even had the opportunity to apply monochromatic washes and reflect on this serene setting wondering what he is dreaming.

Before a busy day of wildlife viewing and photography I am up every morning by 6 am to paint the stunning mountain views and mirror reflections of the inlet from @khutzlodge.

“Khutzeymateen”, 15 x 22 inches watercolour.  (available for sale)

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"Spirit of the Forest"

David McEown

Video showcasing the creation of this watercolour mural, featuring time-lapse segments. (9 minutes long)

“Spirit of the Forest” is a commissioned triptych, measuring 72 x 132 inches (183 x 336 cm), that serves as a tribute to the temperate rainforest on the west coast of British Columbia. This artwork specifically highlights a glimpse into the Great Bear Rainforest, famous for hosting the extremely rare and elusive white “Spirit Bear.”

At the heart of the painting is the central mother tree, an ancient Western Red Cedar, revered as the “tree of life.” This majestic tree is anchored with massive roots alongside moss-covered nurse logs, providing shelter to small shade-tolerant western hemlock and Sitka spruce saplings. The tree's markings reveal traces of the Gitga’at people, who have been harvesting tree bark and living off the bounty of the stream, where it meets the ocean, for thousands of years. In early autumn, salmon make their upstream journey to spawn, drawing numerous eagles and black bears to the area. The Spirit Bear, a rare genetic variation of the black bear, is also part of this remarkable ecosystem.

During three excursions to this specific river with our Gitga’at guides, I had the chance to sketch and paint along its banks, often under the rain's persistent drizzle. Our patience paid off when a Spirit Bear finally appeared, descending the small waterfalls and fishing for salmon right before our eyes, allowing me to capture quick sketches. In a few fleeting moments, the sun broke through the fog and mist-laden air, sparking the compositional idea to depict the life cycle, from the towering trees and moss-draped snags to the variety of mushrooms and lichens that play a crucial role in the ecosystem’s symbiosis.

The painting’s composition evolved from plein-air field studies and photography, guided by small value studies. Custom museum backing boards were precisely cut and served as supports for each of the three sheets of A’rches 140ln cold press cotton rag paper used in the artwork. Typically, I painted two boards side by side, following the flow of lines to narrate each tree’s story and the intricate details of plants such as salal, huckleberry, ferns, and various moss types, including step moss. A small camera in the studio, connected to a monitor, allowed me to observe the entire effect taking shape, ensuring accurate proportions. Completing the painting took several months, interspersed with travel assignments, during which I eagerly anticipated returning to this enchanting light and mindful focus that the highly demanding medium of transparent watercolour demands. Watercolour's fluidity, softness, yet ability to create crisp edges is suited to this intricate subject matter.

Each panel was eventually framed behind museum-grade, non-reflective acrylic glass, with custom-built spacers to seamlessly integrate the piece with its frame and the architecture of its new home. I am profoundly grateful to the new owner  of this painting, who provided me with the opportunity to elevate rainforest watercolour to a significant scale befitting the majestic and vulnerable Great Bear Rainforest.

“Spirit Of the Forest”, 72 × 132 inches watercolour triptych on A’rches 140lb cold press cotton rag paper

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Royal Trust Collection at Windsor Castle

David McEown

“Polar Bear n.8”, watercolour, (14.5 x 20.5 inches)

I am thrilled to announce that my Arctic watercolour study, “Polar Bear n.8” (14.5 x 20.5 inches), has been accepted into the Royal Trust Collection of King Charles III at Windsor Castle. It is one of 25 pieces selected by a jury to complete the gift of 100 paintings from the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, celebrating the CSPWC's 100th anniversary.

“This curious bear 'emerged' on my paper after an inspiring encounter from the safety of our boat during a painting trip in the high Arctic, in northern Svalbard. Over the years, I've been fortunate to observe and sketch these magnificent animals as they silently appear and vanish beneath the water's surface, navigating through sea ice floes and iceberg remnants while hunting for seals. With decreasing sea ice coverage due to climate change, one wonders what fate awaits the polar bear.”

I look forward to sharing more details about this project and upcoming exhibitions of this selection in 2025.

A heartfelt thank you to the jurors for making such tough decisions, and congratulations to the other successful artists. Special thanks to the CSPWC for this incredible opportunity!

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