An Autumn Pause... for Algonquin Reflections

The words 'Autumn' and 'Algonquin' do in fact... share common first letters. They are always capitalized in  my usage of the two words. In my own my own artistic vocabulary, they are even considered by me to be synonymous in meaning. During my almost forty year relationship combining these two, I have been blessed to enjoy plein air painting in this unique and beautiful-beyond-words wilderness Park, I have always been able to return to "Her"... in every season... but most particularly in Autumn and find myself continuously inspired to paint and moved to higher levels of awe by her beauty and unchanged solitude.

During those forty plus years en plein air there, The Park has greatly advanced my development as an artist. "She" has revealed to me... in seasonal layers of knowledge, her secrets  which have helped me to better understand Creation... and my place in it. "She" has taught "Me"...  a greater and more lasting respect for the magnificence of Creation ... and for all living things within The Circle of Life. "She"has, as well... on more than a single occasion contributed to the healing of my soul through the administration of the sweet salve of her silence and peace during troubled times. "I" always returned feeling uplifted... more whole!

As I prepare to meet "Her" later on this week, my anticipation has already built to a crescendo of anticipation to be once again unfettered and free to walk... paint...  think and commune in solitude... as "She" presents herself to "Me." After the "Mystery in the Park Exhibition" jurying part of the foray is completed, I will hitch up with my long time painting pal, David Kay (who lives in Whitney at the East Gate entrance to the Park) for a day or two of early fall painting... just before the "Leaf Creepers"... hordes and bus loads of "from away" visitors swarm at the zenith of the annual colour change.

They are indeed necessary, and welcomed participants in this annual Pageant of Colour, simply because they infuse necessary dollars and income into an otherwise very remote area...  which quite literally hibernates with many of its resident fauna for the rest of the long, cold winter months- save for the noisy snow machine operators who ply the numerous well-groomed trails in and around the Park. Folks in the Park area depend upon this final injection of tourism after the high summer activities like camping, hiking and fishing have ceased... and a time when many of the summer Park facilities are either halted limited or closed during the winter months. Many areas are simply inaccessible in the winter because of snowfall conditions.

I am offering pot-pourri collection of my favourite Autumn in Algonquin paintings from over the years... to whet your appetites for what 'might' come out of this trip. Judging by the overwhelming interest in ... and response to past Algonquin posts on my blog... it would appear that I am not the only one smitten by "Algonquin's Magnificence ... in All Seasons! I hope that you enjoy this bit of "rewind"...or time trekking back through my past trips to The Park!. Please... stay tuned...

I'll be back in a flash... with another Algonquin stash! HA HA!!

  An Autumn Technicolour Dream Coat Collection - Both small and large!!!

 
Magnificent in all seasons!

Still clear evidence of early life and settlement...

A tangled garden of colour  and texture...

Moodiness...

Subjects everywhere to be found... and translated

Drama and exquisite light effects...

Ceaselessly babbling brooks...

Empty lakes to have to oneself...

Water Music!... Noisy rapids... a challenge to be captured

Quiet pools... away from the din of humanity

Private River-side studio spaces...

And moments of hush... when all of Creation seems to come to a standstill! Solitude!

Good Fall Painting !... to ALL!!!