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News and blog posts about recent works, workshops, events, presentations, expeditions and exhibitions by Canadian artist David McEown.
I just returned from an inspiring trip to the Galapagos Islands organized and led by Daisy Gilardini Photography. Where else can you swim with penguins, marine iguanas, and sketch giant tortoises and courting waved albatross? We're excited to share video from below and above the ocean's surface, with many more images and paintings to come!
We have organized a trip for 2026. (trip is now full taking waitlist)
Sunrise painting from the beach at hollyhock.
Many thanks to the wonderful artists that joined my 4 day workshop/ retreat at Hollyhock on Cortes Island recently, I am still glowing from such productive sessions. We were fortunate to have great weather, 4 sunrise sessions, delicious food, the spectacle of northern lights plus the opportunity to paint together and make new friends in such a beautiful setting. Many thanks also to the friendly staff who helped host this event. Here are a just few photos , I will share more soon once I complete some of the demos. Looking forward to another session penciled in for May 7-11, 2025, Watercolour and the Art of Seeing
Thanks to everyone who attended my sold-out presentation and painting demonstration at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Ontario! It was wonderful to share new work, penguin stories, and the premiere of the making of my “Spirit of the Forest” mural. After intermission, I began a full-sheet watercolor demonstration inspired by trips into the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary and the Great Bear Rainforest. I have included the finished demo here, titled "Entering Khutzeymateen," 22 x 30 inches. Special thanks to the McMichael staff and volunteers who helped out with another successful show
"Entering Khutzeymateen" 22 x 30 inches
"I am delighted to share some of my video and watercolor painting impressions from a recent adventure in the Great Bear Rainforest. Among the places we visited were on the traditional territories of the Haisla and Gitgaat people. In late summer, salmon gather at the bottom of streams and rivers, waiting for water levels to rise so they can begin the journey upstream to spawn. We photographed and sketched many grizzly and black bears as they searched the intertidal zone for food. We also explored the outer islands and heard the calls of 'sea wolves', following their tracks along long white sand beaches. Many mornings began with the sound of humpback whales surfacing around our catamaran.
Returning to this incredibly rich temperate rainforest ecosystem was a true privilege, and I'm eager to work in the studio using the references I gathered, including photos of ancient trees and moss arrangements, for a large watercolor project I am currently undertaking. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Maple Leaf Adventures and Canadian Geographic Travel for inviting Daisy Gilardini and me as RCGS travel ambassadors aboard Cascadia, allowing us to explore the stunning wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest on British Columbia's west coast.
We are happy to announce our upcoming expedition on this amazing vessel as we venture to explore the Islands of Haida Gwaii from June 7-15th, 2024
“Receding Tide, Campania Island”, 15 x 22 inches, watercolour
Mural in progress inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest.
"Gratitude to the wonderful 19 artists who joined me for a 4-day workshop/retreat at Hollyhock on Cortes Island in May 2023. We were blessed with stunning weather, four beautiful sunrise sessions, and enchanted forests. After hours of painting, we enjoyed wholesome organic meals and had the option to join nature walks, bodywork, and explore the beaches. Thanks to the warm and accommodating staff who helped make this event possible. I eagerly anticipate returning on May 8-12, 2024, for another 'Watercolour and the Art of Seeing' retreat!"
Thank you to all who joined me for my presentation and workshop on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection!
It was a wonderful experience sharing videos, stories, and a collection of new paintings from the Great Bear Rainforest and the inspiring polar regions.
I was truly delighted to have a full house and to reconnect with dear friends. Your presence made the event even more special.
Watercolour impressions from the Great Bear Rainforest by David McEown with additional Video and Photography by Daisy Gilardini.
Many thanks to Maple Leaf Adventures and Canadian Geographic Travel for inviting us as RCGS travel ambassadors on board Cascadia, a small expedition catamaran, to explore the beautiful wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia’s west coast.
It was a privilege to return to this incredibly rich temperate rainforest ecosystem. While sailing among the outer islands we had amazing encounters with humpback whales, sea lions and eagles and followed the salmon’s path along spawning channels into the rainforest. There, under the guidance of our expert Gitga’at First Nation Guides we were so lucky to even witness the rare Spirit Bear! Through the dramatic landscape, deep into the coastal mountain range, we sailed towards the Kitlope River and learned about the culture and historical significance of this sacred watershed.
As I review the many sketches, videos and images shot during the voyage I feel full of inspiration for new studio paintings.
We are thrilled to return to this mesmerizing part of world in the fall with Maple Leaf in September 2023 for another expedition focused on photography, sketching and watercolour.
Our Gitga’at First Nation Guides provided a safe viewing area for our small group. We sat quietly for hours along the river, under a light rain when finaly a Spirit Bear magically appeared from the deep forest. Without even acknowledging our presence she fished the salmon right in front of us for a long time, before magically disappearing back into the forest.
While on location I often take lots of reference photos and video material. When time allows, I however, never miss the opportunity to sketch and/or paint with my watercolour. In this instance I would photograph and video when the bear was fishing then switch to sketching and painting while she would go into the forest to eat the freshly caught salmon.
“In the Great Bear Rainforest”, 28 x 40 inches, watercolour
This large watercolour was inspired while bear viewing along a pristine salmon spawning river in the Gitga’at First Nation territory. In this unique ecosystem, everything is interdependent. Salmon which come back in cycles to spawn, are the connection between ocean and forest and provide essential nitrogen for the tree to grow old and strong. The spirit bear, or Kermode has a whitish, cream-colored fur, due to a unique recessive gene, and is a subspecies of the more familiar North American black bear. Local Gitga’at First Nation guides have named this female “Warrior”. She is the daughter of “Ma’ah,” a spirit bear in which I was fortunate to have photographed and painted many years ago.
Photography by Daisy Gilardini, Canadian Geographic Photographer in residence.
In mid October many grizzly bears come down to the water at Chilko Lake and feed on the sockeye salmon that spawn along the Chilko River. We had great opportunities to sketch, paint and photograph these majestic animals in the autumn colours! (video by David McEown)
From the safety of our boat I produced a lot of sketches and small colour studies which made great reference for studio paintings once back home.
“Autumn on the Chilko” , 22 x 30 inches watercolour (available for sale)
The Bears had a good feast as we also did when returning back to the comforts of our lodge, thanks to Tsylos Park Lodge.
