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Recent/Blog

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

Painting at Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, Alaska

David McEown

When painting on location and a grizzly bear is hanging around I will "calmly" pack up , pay respect, and leave these incredible creatures alone. It is not recommended to approach bears in wilderness. However in Katmai National Park Alaska, one can   sometimes observe brown bears in their natural habitat if done responsibly. Camping in a tent amongst the grizzly bears was sleepless at first, even ifour site was in apark designated space away from the bears main fishing spot and the tent was “protected” by athinelectric wire. Traveling with a small group of photographers and an experienced guide, we observed these giants , feed , sleep, nurse and go about surviving. Most of these bears are used to the odd fly in day trip visitors and have little fear, discomfort or even interest in us. They come to fish for salmon in the tidal streamsand dig for clamson the beach.  Wilderness experience is recommended as well as checking with the park about proper equipment andbear observation habits.

I sketch, video and take pictures for painting reference. Painting is a challenge on site as it may be required to move position due to bear behavior and the incoming tides. A small pocket sketch book was most useful, as a few painting were done back at the camp site from a few shapes hopefully well seen. One thing that I hope to express in the paintings is the interconnectedness of the bears to the landscape. Their shapes and colour echo the mountain peaks, and the mountain range itself resembles the back of the lone salmon stranded and exposed in shallow water ready to surrender to the bear that will   selectively feast and leave parts scattered for many other creatures to feed and trees to grow.

Outgoing Tide, Hallo Bay
Outgoing Tide, Hallo Bay
Mother and Cub, Katmai National Park
Mother and Cub, Katmai National Park
Hallo Bay Camp, Katmai, Alaska
Hallo Bay Camp, Katmai, Alaska
Beach Patrol!
Beach Patrol!
Awaiting salmon, Hallo Bay
Awaiting salmon, Hallo Bay
10 Comments
categories Alaska, en plein air, Katmai, Landscape painting, Watercolour, West Coast Rainforest
tags Alaska, Brown Bears, en plein air, Grizzly Bears, Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, Watercolor

Federation of Canadian Artists on Gabriola Island

David McEown

The Federation of Canadian Artists invited me to be one of the instructors at a week-long en plein air painting event on beautiful Gabriola Island in British Columbia. It was wonderful to paint with almost 125 artists that descended on the island from all over North America. We had ocean shoreline vistas and wildlife sightings as well as old heritage farm lands to draw inspiration from. Plus the weather cooperated as well. Also it was inspirational to work with fellow instructors Mike Svob, Brent Heighton, Deanne Lemley and guest lecturer Robert Genn. The event was one of most well organized workshops I have participated in. The Haven Resort site was a fine location to host such a large event. The Phoenixauditorium also was a great venue for nightlypanel discussion on art and presentations, in which I gave my“Antarctica to the North Pole” painting adventure show. Many thanks tothe organizers that put this together. I wish the FCA much success next year and recommend it to those that want to paint on “island time for a while”.

David with Demo from Entrance Point Light House
David with Demo from Entrance Point Light House
2 Comments
categories Art Workshops, en plein air, Landscape painting, Watercolour, West Coast Rainforest
tags art workshops, en plein air, Watercolor