Recent/Blog

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

Svalbard 2016

October 09, 2016David McEown

"Surfacing Ice", 20in x 30in watercolour Svalbard - Norway (available for sale) — "Surfacing Ice", 20in x 30in watercolour Svalbard - Norway (available for sale)

These painting were Inspired by a recent trip to Svalbard, Norway. We witnessed massive glaciers calving and ancient ice revealed from shattered icebergs. More paintings from Svalbard can be viewed in the arctic Svalbard web gallery.

categories Uncategorized, Arctic, Northern Landscapes, watercolor, Watercolour
tags Svalbard, Sptizbergen, Svalbard paintings

Mt. Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina

May 03, 2016David McEown

One of my favourite places to paint is in Patagonia , South America. In particular I am drawn back to the town of El Chalten, Argentina. Located just below Mt. Fitz Roy, it is here we use as a base for day trips and overnight excursions. This past early November was a special time to visit as the spring wildflowers were on display in various stages as we gained elevation.

Time lapse video of watercolor "Cascade" , Mt Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina by Canadian artist David McEown

We lucked out with weather and had clear views, and was able to be in t- shirt which was welcome after just arriving from several weeks in Antarctica. Was able to capture some time lapse video of paintings in progress.

More Patagonia paintings from previous trips!

SOUTH GEORGIA , Falkland Islands, OCT-Nov. 2015

November 09, 2015David McEown

It was fantastic to photograph and sketch  the  several young wandering albatross on Prion Island, South Georgia.  (photo - Boris Wise) — It was fantastic to photograph and sketch the several young wandering albatross on Prion Island, South Georgia. (photo - Boris Wise)

The South Georgia, Falkland Islands trip was a great success in that we were able to land at many new locations early in the subantarctic season and witness one of natures greatest displays of wildlife set amongst a dramatic mountain scape.

Painting has been prolific as well as filming and photography. I look forward to post a more detailed account of trip plus insightful video clips of the natural wonders and the creative process when we return home in late December. Posted here is some examples from the trip #1 2015 so far. Many thanks to one ocean expeditions and the staff that helped get us to land safely!

Painting above the St. Andrews Bay King Penguin Colony, on South Georgia Island. This is the largest colony on the island, the penguins seems to fill the valley with texture and patterns, truly one of natures great wonders.

St. Andrews Bay, King Penguin Colony, 15 x22 inches watercolour

King Hakkon Bay, 12 x22 inches , watercolor.

“King Hakkon Bay, West South Georgia Island”, 12 x 22inches watercolor, Oct 20, 2015. I was thrilled to have a chance to paint the approach to the seldom visited exposed and wild west side of South Georgia. We viewed the place where Shackleton landed the James Caird after the epic voyage from Elephant island. It was here that Shackleton along with Tom Crean and Frank Worlsey began a daunting crossing of South Georgia’s Glaciers in order to find a rescue boat to save stranded crew on elephant Island. On this One Ocean Expeditions trip we had aboard a group of young exporters that we drop off to reenact the crossing in honour of the explores of the past. They made it! to follow there blog see https://www.nzaht.org/AHT/InspiringExplorers/

Upcoming Expeditions to South Georgia , Antarctica

September 20, 2015David McEown

Painting at Gold Harbour, South Georgia.

We are excited to be joining One Ocean Expeditions for the following 2015 trips and programs to Antarctica/ South Georgia.

“Painting and Photography in the sub antarctic island of South Georgia is truly incomparable. Its stark remoteness and vast glaciated peaks rising out of an unforgiving icy ocean is home to unbelievably numerous and curious species of wildlife that makes one feel like a visitor to a whole new planet. The overwhelming scale, patterns ,color and texture of this place provides endless creative inspiration yet can challenge and “reset” old preconceptions of composition and field work habits while awakening feelings of beauty, reverence and interconnectedness.”

• "SOUTH GEORGIA IN DEPTH" Oct. 17- 30,

• "ANTARCTICA OFF THE BEATEN TRACK" NOV. 10- 22

• "FALKLANDS, SOUTH GEORGIA, ANTARCTICA PHOTOGRAPHIC SYMPOSIUM", NOV. 22 to DEC. 10,
with watercolorist David McEown and photographer Daisy Gilardini

To find out more details on the program, itinerary , and cabin availability see one ocean expeditions.

This video clip is from a 2011 expedition to South Georgia.

categories Antarctica, Elephant Island, en plein air, Landscape painting, Point Wild, South Georgia, St-Andrews Bay, Watercolour, watercolor
tags Antarctic paintings, Elephant island, South Georgia, Antarctica, Gold Harbour, watercolour

Polar Wonders at the McMichael Canadian art Collection

March 20, 2015David McEown

It was again a great privilege to be invited back presenting at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Also it was special to present our polar body of work to complement the traveling exhibition "Vanishing Ice".

Thanks to everyone that came out to make it a "full house" !

Ancient Ice #2, 28 x54inches , watercolor

categories Antarctica, Arctic, Baffin island, Devon island, en plein air, Greenland, Landscape painting, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, North Pole, Northern Landscapes, South Georgia, Watercolour, watercolor
tags McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Arctic, Greenland, polar exploration

Hollyhock Watercolour Workshop

June 18, 2014David McEown

It was a real pleasure to provide a watercolour workshop atHollyhock , "Canada's lifelong learning centre", on Cortes Island , BC, a few weeks ago and paint with a fine group of artists. The contemplative ambiance, facility , lodging and food was excellent as well as the variety of subjects to paint. After an early sunrise, participants had the opportunity to join in a yoga/ body work sessions before breakfast. Then we startedwithsome demos and paintedon the beach in the morning, following the tide lines. After lunchthe artist's had the opportunity to continue working or go explore the island . By 3pm sessions resumed to capture the afternoon light . Then again after another healthy buffet dinner we would have another painting session that would continueinto dusk.

Along with the stunning beach, the gardens and forest trails were also a fine source of inspiration. The only problem was that the 4 night workshop went to fast! So we are happy to announce another watercolour workshop again next yearwith and extra day.

"Artist's Journey with Watercolour"

May 31th – June 5, 2015

Explore the magical flowing spontaneity and essential techniques of this travel friendly medium. Discover painting as a form of meditation and “seeing”, allowing you to capture the moment with paper and brush. All levels welcome.

Tuition: $525 CDN / 5 nights

All inclusive accommodations and meals charged separately.

Cortes Island & Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

800-933-6339 x 232 hollyhock.ca

Registration should start by mid November 2014 , please feel free to contact us to be notified when registration begins.

"David giving a demo on the beach at Hollyhock"

"Working into the underpainting and learning to control the hard and soft edges of the mountain and cloud shapes."

"Painting the shoreline grasses, an excersise in negative shape reading, and staying cool in the shade!"

categories Art Workshops, Coast Mountains, Cortes island, en plein air, Landscape painting, Northern Landscapes, Uncategorized, Vancouver, watercolor, Watercolour, West Coast Rainforest
tags art workshops, Cortes Island, en plein air, great bear rainforest, Gulf Islands, Hollyhock, McEown, rainforest, Watercolor, watercolour

Contact David Mceown