Canoeing the Barron River Canyon - 24" x 36"

Canoeing the Barron River Canyon is arguably the most impressive experience to be had in the whole of Algonquin Park.  Granite cliffs rise three-hundred feet, in testimony to the powerful forces of retreating waters after the last ice age.  The canyon can be experienced either by canoeing through the bottom or by hiking along the top; neither is to be missed.

Because of the canyon's depth, there are only certain times of the summer when the sun hits the north wall in this perfect way.  In fact, the southern side gets so little sun that there are some ferns and lichens growing here that are otherwise only found in the arctic.

From an artistic viewpoint, I tried to emphasize the immense scale of the cliffs, first by having them fill the canvas and blocking the sky, and then by including the canoeists.  Rendering the highlights, shadows and details of the cliffs themselves was definitely the most painstaking part of the painting process.  The varied greens of the white pines and cedars provide good artistic contrast to the oranges and ochres of the granite.  Finally, even my treatment of the reflection seems to emphasize the vertical aspect of the composition, and gives the whole scene a certain serenity.