West Port Tree Fort

Now wouldn't it be fine,
to stop and take the time,
to sketch a maple tree fort,
while on the road to Westport?


editorial comment:
I haven't been sketching lately, as you see from this careful (stiff)  drawing .... it takes me a couple of days of sketching to get in that loose groove that I aim for.

but; says me, to meself, at least I took the time and had fun doing it

Pond Hockey

So, I'll start this with excuses....it was pretty cold (-7C) and I have been trying to draw quickly with energy.  The problem is that my hand seems to turn into a claw after about 5 minutes. I did the sketch outside then retreated to my car to muddle and fuss and overwork with some paint.  

In any event, sketching is about the moment. Yesterday was bright and sunny and the pond at Brown's inlet was smooth and hard.  Perfect for some shinny. It doesn't get much more Canadian than that.

Westminster Angels

These two damaged angels stand inside the McKenzie King house at Mooreside.  They started life in Westminster Abbey, in London, but were  replaced after the war.  A friend managed to buy them and knowing about King's affection for architectural remnants sent them as a gift.  The pair have lost both their noses and hands but seem comfortable here.

Back to Mooreside

I went sketching today with Marc Holmes who is one the Urban Sketchers ringleaders. ( AKA Citizen Sketcher - http://citizensketcher.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/drawing-experiments/) He and his wife, Laurel, were visiting  Ottawa from Montreal for a few days to draw and photograph the Mayan exhibit at the Museum of Civilization.

I took them up to Mooreside, the McKenzie King Estate.  I figured that they would have found the good subjects in Ottawa on their own and that with Mark's affinity for Victorian architecture, the faux ruins at the estate would be something they would be unlikely to discover on their own.

It was a pleasure to share my affinity for  the estate and chat as we did what we do.  As it worked out I  completed one drawing in my little sketchbook at Mark's halfway point and after checking out his work I had time to do a second sketch. Those interludes were influential in helping me loosen up and leave some white space. The photos are Marc working his magic, and the drawings below are my little sketches. You can see the effect of just a few minutes of looking at his work in my second  sketch.

Kemptville Skatepark

It was a glorious spring day and I had the privilege of transporting four young skateboarders to a new park in the town of Kemptville, south of Ottawa.  As always the boys skated non-stop and I had trouble pulling them away.  The park appears to have been constructed late last year as the gravel and soil have not yet been sodded, but it seemed to get high marks from the guys ( if I could understand what they were talking about).

Tommy's vid    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rx86_QyRaA

Sneak Preview - World Eclusive!

I've been working on the reconstruction of Bank Street in Ottawa for about 6 years.  When we completed the overall concept for we thought that the Glebe neighbourhood would be the first phase and the public art competition was held in 2008.  As it worked out the Glebe reconstruction was last and only happened last summer.  It will be completed this spring when the trees, site furniture and art are installed.

Tim Desclouds was awarded the art commission and has produced about 23 individual pieces.  The city got more than their money's worth, even if measured by the pound.  The theme is neighbourhoods as represented by chairs of all sorts.  Like all of Tim's work, the sculptures are whimsical and have a  fun, carnival, busker quality about them as most of them will be on 10 foot poles.  I think they will provoke thought and and discussion as well as become treasured landmarks.

Tim was gracious in adding many of the design team on the credit plaque.  The key collaborator was Mike Mulligan, welder extraordinaire.  I can't say I worked with Tim, as we mostly just discussed things and agreed - always a pleasure.

The installation will be in early May, but you saw it here first!

St. Sauveur

We had an absolutely wonderful day of spring skiing today at St. Sauveur in the Laurentians, north of Montreal. There was a huge snowboarding competition which drew thousands of spectators.

Mount Tremblant

My doctor told me to go skiing today and I spent the afternoon on the few remaining trails at Tremblant.  It was a little cooler than we expected, but we still managed to sit out in the sun at the base at the end of the day.

Beaver Manda and Totem

It was cool and cloudy today so I went to the Museum of Civilization to sketch.  This pair of contemporary and traditional beavers are in the Great Hall.   I think of beavers as frantic little engineers, but these fierce creatures, without a doubt, must be warriors.

The Beaver Manda in the foreground was carved by the Haida artist, Jim Hart, in 1995. Jim Hart apprenticed with the incredible Haida sculptor Bill Reid and also made the Three Watchmen, which I posted a sketch of, back in December.  I understand a manda was usually symbolic of one of the clans and might grace a trading box or grave.  This contemporary interpretation is about 2.4m long and unlike traditional poles, is horizontal and three dimensional.   It is carved from one enormous piece of  cedar and reminds me of a sphinx poised to spring into life.

Behind is the Beaver Totem, with a stick in it's mouth, which was probably made about a century earlier as a Haida Chief's house post (interior support).

Almonte

I took a drive out to Almonte yesterday and stopped on their riverwalk to do a sketch.  There are a number of old stone mill buildings that have been restored and adapted for offices and apartments.

Checking on my Baby

The days are getting longer and the snow is starting to melt.  I stopped into the harbour to check and see if my baby was still wrapped up snug.  Soon I'll be able to take of the cover and prepare her for the water.

Surprise - An abandoned mill in the woods

On the south side of Meach Lake a narrow, unmarked trail leads to this old mill.  Not what you'd expect to find out in the woods. It was built in the early 1900's by Thomas Wilson.  His nickname, Carbide came from the invention of carbide, which is the dry compenent of accetyline.

More Totem Poles

I did'nt manage to get out skiing today, but did find time to stop into the Canadian Museum of Civilization.  The totem poles in the Great hall continue to fascinate me and its a pleasant and calming place to spend a few minutes.

Lac Fortune

Last Sunday was one of those perfect winter days when the conditions and sunshine combine to make a few hours experiencing nature a spiritual and renewing experience.

This sketch is looking over Lac Fortune from the Fortune Parkway and the bald patch on the hill behind is Camp Fortune downhill ski area.  Thankfully Gatineau Park is a national fortune -  riches beyond measure.

Keogan Cabin

Keogan Cabin is one of the largest in the Park which is a good thing as it is also one of the most accessible.  For years it was my nightime destination as my son, Alec, was downhill training at Camp Fortune.  I do downhill ski, but its much warmer cross-country skiing out of the wind in the woods on a cold, dark night and Keogans always made for a good little jaunt while Alec ran gates.


On Sunday the conditions were superb.  Bright sunshine and around - 8C.  The trails were full of people , many with young children on skis, or in polks (sleds). My wax was right and I think my technique, such as it is, is returning as I had a terrific and fast visit here and along the Fortune Parkway.

McInstry Cabin

McIntstry Cabin is near the end of the Ridge Road trail - the shortest access is 10 1/2 km.s from he Meech Lake parking lot.  Last Saturday was warm, which is a problem because its difficult to wax for.  With the hilly nature of the terrain my friend Robin and I were rewaxing every couple of kilometres as the downhill runs scraped even the sticky red wax off our skis.

The cabin is large and has a sunken "pit" around the wood stove.  This is the one cabin in the park which seems to have been purpose built for skiers.

Redpath Museum

The Redpath Museum is located on the McGill University campus in downtown Montreal.  It's a real old time museum - dinosaur skeletons, stuffed animals, and cases full of artifacts from all over the world.   Exactly what modern museum display has moved away from, but charming, in a Victorian curio collection, sort of way.

Renaud Cabin

Renaud is one of the cabins accessed from the Lac Philippe entrance to the park.  It is different from the other cabins in that it is in an open field with an apple tree and lilacs hinting at a former farmstead.  Once again I saw a whole flock of blue jays raiding the bird feeder, which is unusual as normally I've only seen blue jays in pairs.  

Close by there is a campsite with a three-sided log shelter.  I can just imagine telling ghost stories to a group of young adventurers by the light of lanterns in this structure and then having to escort them one by one to the outhouse before bedtime.

Forest Nobility

The forest around Lac Philippe is upland deciduous, not the white pine dominated association of the Ottawa valley.  Two of my favourite species hang onto their leaves well into the winter - American Beech and Red Oak.  I regard these as noble trees as they become magnificent large specimens, are slower growing and yield denser wood than many of the other species in the forest.   I particularly love the smooth beech trunks.

The leaves slowly blow off through the winter and often become lodged in the ski tracks, which can be a problem on mild days as the sticky grip wax stalls or picks up bits of leaves.  This was not a problem last weekend as it was a 'blue wax' day which is very hard and allowed me to glide over these vestiges of summer.

The beech leaves are like thin parchment while the oak leaves are leathery and tough.

Lusk Cabin

This weekend I headed up to Lac Philippe at the north end of the Park.  It was -18 C and while my skis were slow with the cold it wasn't uncomfortable with dry air and no wind.  Lusk Cabin is small but has six bunks and can be rented for the night.  I was in early and probably stayed for an hour.  It was nice to not be rushed.  The cabin overlooks Lusk Lake and is not far from the caves, which I'll have to return to another day.