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Recent/Blog

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

North Pole and Greenland

David McEown

Painting the polar icescape in watercolour  on a large ice floe very close to the North pole, July 31, 2024.

89°43'36.94" N , 134°36'58.09" E . (photo Daisy Gilardini)

On the evening of July 30, 2024, we reached 90 degrees north, the Geographical North Pole. The following day, we disembarked from the powerful hybrid electric/LNG ship Le Commandant Charcot onto a large, stable ice floe nearby. We had a full day to work on our projects, and I had the opportunity to paint several watercolours of the pressure ridges, fog bows, and melt pools. The temperature hovered just above freezing, creating ideal conditions for laying down washes of colour that almost froze on the paper. This painting are part of a large body of watercolour i have done over the last 20 years observing the changes in the ice pack and arctic ecosystems. I hope to publish a collection and exhibit this work soon.

It was an incredible privilege to return to this extraordinary place, having previously visited as artist as an artist in residence back in 2007 and 2009 on a Russian Nuclear icebreaker. Special thanks to Daisy Gilardini who invited me to join as she was a special guest speaker for PONANT featuring “Women of the Poles”, an initiative led by French think tank Le Cercle Polaire. (many of the paintings from this trip are available for sale)

Video highlights from the North Pole

While always on the lookout for polar bears, I love painting the endless variations of shapes, tracks and transparencies  in the sea ice plus the challenges of painting outdoors in  almost freezing  temperatures that sometime provide fascinating crystal effects.

“Polar Bear Reflections n.2”, 15 x 22 inches watercolour

Eastern Greenland

Eastern Greenland colours of fire and ice greeted us on the way back from our recent North Pole trip. This short video features a few watercolour paintings in progress and lots of iceberg inspiration. (video by David McEown and Daisy Gilardini )

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Haida Gwaii

David McEown

Sitka Spruce tree encounter in Haida Gwaii

It is so inspiring to be back in Haida Gwaii, sketching the magnificent Sitka spruce and cedar trees, and learning more about the Haida people and the diverse wildlife that have thrived here for a very long time. I am thrilled to be invited as a Royal Canadian Geographical Society Travel Ambassador with Maple Leaf Adventures.

Sunrise painting aboard Cascadia with Maple Leaf Adventures.

Before a busy day filled with inspiring natural and cultural excursions, I start painting at a calm 5:30 am, attempting to capture impressions of the sky, land, and sea. The Maple Leaf Adventures Cascadia catamaran is an incredibly stable platform to paint and photograph from in all weather conditions, and certainly more comfortable than the kayak trip I did on my first trip 29 years ago! The climate is perfect for watercolour, allowing time to blend edges. When it's really saturated with rain, I use very little water in the watercolour wash and let the mist make its mark on the paper.

"SGang Gwaay," 7 x 9 inches, watercolour

It was a dream come true to visit the extremely remote SGang Gwaay, a village site of the Haida people often known as Ninstints, in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site on Haida Gwaii on the North Coast of British Columbia. Guided by a Haida watchman interpreter, our small group had permission to take photos and sketch.

The beautiful moss-carpeted trail led to a protected cove that features a large collection of Haida mortuary and memorial poles in their original locations, facing the water and backed by weathered, moss-covered house frames that the Haida allow to succumb to the natural decay of the temperate rainforest climate.

Once, this place was a thriving community of 300 people, but by the 1880s, disease had decimated the population of SG̱ang Gwaay. Only remnants of the houses and poles, which are considered art masterworks of the Pacific Northwest, remain. The site is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected by the Haida watchman program.

Once back on board the ship, I finished a small sketch I drew from the beach, looking at the poles reflecting in the water. Having stepped foot in this place, I will never look at a pole in a museum the same way. Thank you to Maple Leaf Adventures for taking us there and to our Haida interpreter, Gaajiiaawa (Linda), for making us feel welcome and teaching us so much.

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Galapagos Islands

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)

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Workshops and Presentations, April -May 2024

David McEown

Watercolour and the Art of Seeing on Cortes Island

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

Artists presentation at the McMicheal Canadian Art Collection

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

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Great Bear Rainforest Impressions

David McEown

"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.

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Workshop and Presentations 2023

David McEown

Watercolour and the Art of Seeing on Cortes Island

"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!"

McMicheal Canadian Art Collection

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.

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