Ice Crystals-Canadian Rockies

The other day I was out cross country skiing with my brother-in-law west of Banff. It was -20c , the sky was a beautiful azure blue and your breath almost froze in the air as it left your lips. At one point we stopped for a rest along a creek, and a collection of frozen crystals at waters edge caught my eye as the water flowed past our viewpoint. My area of concentration was so small, so perfect. We must enjoy the journey and not always seek the destination.

Rundle Sunrise-Canadian Rockies

It's the New Year now, we celebrated a great Christmas and had lots of fun with family and friends. My brush has not been very active lately, but I have been working on one of my other passions....photography. Living in the mountains I am fortunate to have magnificent vistas all around me to savour every day.

This morning not too long after I got to work a tinge of color outside caught my attention. I went to the window and gasped, for the sunrise coming up behind Mt. Rundle was one of the most spectacular ones I have ever seen. I ran inside to get my camera and was able to capture Rundle Sunrise before it faded into the light of day and memory.

In the next while I will be sharing some of my photos as well as paintings as I move along the journey of self discovery and expression.

Snowbound-Canadian Rockies

I've spent much of my time in the mountains, staying sometimes in tents, lean to's, under the stars.....and in rustic back country cabins. The painting "Snowed In" was painted after a stay in a back country wardens cabin in Banff National Park on New Years Eve. That day 6 of us skied in and it was -30c! We had a pulk (sled) we pulled with food, wine and all the essentials to survive in a very cold environment. When we got to the cabin it was iced over and deathly cold, but once we got the stove going, cleared a path to the frozen river for water and dried out our gear it was heaven. Later in the evening after dinner we went for a ski in the light of a full moon, and a white owl soared above us looking for its evening meal.

"Snowbound" is a haven, a place where you are safe and warm, with family and friends, celebrating the Holidays.

I thank you for following my Posts these past few months. I look forward to showing you my paintings in the New Year.

Merry Christmas, and have a healthy and Happy New Year!

Bob Krysak

Pemberton Valley Sunset

In the early 90's I lived in Whistler, B.C., after spending a few years in Vancouver. Even in those days Whistler was a busy place, and to get away from it all I would travel down the road to the Pemberton Valley. The valley was flanked on each side by towering peaks, and there were many farms and acreages. On many trips to a secret natural hot springs I would pass this farm with an old barn at the edge of the field. One day on my way home the sunset was spectacular, and I had to capture it on my canvas. The sunset helped me focus on the barn, the rows in the field, and in the end my natural surroundings. Now at sunset, I stop what I'm doing and focus on the world around me.

9"x7" $150

Houndstooth Alpenglow-Canadian Rockies

I have to admit I find it challenging doing commissions for people. I like to paint...if you like it, great, if you don't, that's OK. A while ago I had a commission to paint one of my favorite places, a cabin in the Bugaboos. In prep for that painting I created a few quick little paintings to test color, composition, and created Houndstooth Alpenlgow. From this I have created/sold many cards and have found that this simplest of paintings has been one of most widely accepted pieces. I guess it is true that good things come in small packages.

4" x 5" Collection of the Artist

Numa Pass-Rock Wall-Canadian Rockies

Living in Banff I am so fortunate as there are hundreds of peaks in all directions to explore. About an hour and a half drive from Banff is the trail head to Floe Lake. After a 10 km uphill hike to Floe we climbed higher to Numa Pass and spent the afternoon exploring the area. As the sun began to set the mountains were on fire with color and light. This painting of Numa Pass tries to capture that "fire in the sky" or "alpen glow" that can only be experienced in the alpine of the mountains.

9.5" x 7" $150

Mount Robson-Canadian Rockies

Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, towering 12,972 feet (3,954m) above Berg Lake. Berg Glacier, a massive ice river that drops into Berg Lake, is one of the few living (or advancing) glaciers in the Canadian Rockies. When we hiked into Berg Lake the temperature was 32c, so we did a quick dip into it's icy waters to cool down.

This area of the Rockies is special to me, and one day I hope to take my son Robson there.

30" x 22" Sold