Merry Christmas-Canadian Rockies

It's snowing in the mountains.
It is Christmas time.

The snow has been falling the past few days and we have had to shovel the driveway and sidewalk a few times. The Christmas lights on the stairs and deck on our house have a mantle of snow that gives a warm glow in the evening when the lights are on. When I look out the kitchen window I see the glow of our many neighbours lights.....each celebrating the season.

Christmas also means we are at the end of one year and the beginning of another. We and our friends have had a good year overall. There have been ups and downs for sure, but we all have much to be thankful for.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas with your family and friends, and that 2017 is a Happy and Healthy year for you. Also, where you can, please help those less fortunate than you.

Robert Krysak
December 24, 2016

Cascade Horizon-Canadian Rockies

I've been drawing/painting/creating since I was a kid. I think we are all artists in the beginning. Once we "Grow Up" we lose that spark of creativity and are concerned what people will "Think" of our work.

I find more and more in my art that I am trying to see things as a kid.....having a pure curiosity and interest in all things. When I came to the end of painting Cascade Horizon I mulled over how to do the trees. I love creating trees, making them look "Real" The kid inside me said paint them the way a kid would...hence some very triangular shapes with colour that are definitely trees.

Cascade Horizon
24" x 18"
Watercolour and ink on canvas
$400 SOLD

Cascade Horizon-Canadian Rockies

The mountains have bones and structure under their mantle, not unlike our own bodies. The bones support the mass of the mountain, and reach far down under the earth's surface. As I map out the lines that represent the bones of Cascade Horizon, I am able to look out my window to see the mountain bask in the early morning sunrise. It is cold outside......-20c and there is a crispness to the air.

In the next phase of the painting I add Sepia to show areas of solid rock not covered in snow. Depending on the light and the time of day the rock can change from New Gamboge to Burnt Umber and then Sepia.

Cascade Horizon-Canadian Rockies

I live in the town of Banff in the Canadian Rockies. On any given day you cannot help but gaze upward to the variouses faces of Cascade Mountain. It is a beautiful mountain, changing with the seasons and the time of day.

It's December now. Cold, wintery days with stunning sunrises and inky dark nights with dazzling stars. With Cascade Horizon I want to capture that time where day crosses to night, the warm light of the sun being snuffed out by the glacial coolness of nightfall.

I am on a journey of discovery with my painting these days. I'm never sure what will come off the brush but excited with each stroke as I discover the various colours in my pallette.

Raven Totem-Canadian Rockies

I always have mixed emotions when I finish a painting. There is satisfaction with what was a first a concept and then taking it to completion. But there is also a bit of sadness, as a painting becomes a friend that you relate to. Once completed you are still connected but your energy travels in other directions.

In painting the Raven I wanted to capture its freedom as it flew into the solar system. As it travels farther into the universe the front of the wings and body lighten in color. The tail and wingtips are still very dark as they cling to the warmth of the earth. The stars are bright and act as beacons. The Raven also has a star for its eye, another connection to the universe.

Raven Totem
24" x 18"
$450

Raven Totem-Canadian Rockies

With the addition of the dark sky and the stars the Raven is now launching itself into the cosmos. I wanted to capture the swirling, neverending vastness of space, of infinity. With each wing stroke the Raven reaches out and eventually becomes one with the universe. The final stage of the painting will be the Raven itself.

I am on a new journey in life and art, an exciting one. My friend Petra has this quote on her website from Joseph Campbell that sums it up:

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

Raven Totem-Canadian Rockies

It's interesting.....as I add more colours to Raven Totem and the colour spreads to the wings, its as if the Raven gains speed on its flight into the universe. The next stage of the painting is the sky. I want to capture the different layers of light and dark, with the stars acting as beacons in the night.

On another note, I went for a walk in the forest yesterday. It was very cold...-24c, and each footstep in the snow had a loud, creaking sound. At one point I stopped to absorb the surrounding view of trees and mountains. A raven flew above me, its strong, purposeful wing strokes propelling it across the landscape. I have stored that image in my memory to help paint Raven Totem.

Raven Totem-Canadian Rockies

I am on an interesting journey painting Raven Totem. In one of my meditations I could envision the finished painting. As I put brush to canvas it is as if my brush is being directed by another energy other than mine.

The colors in flight build from New Gamboge to oranges and Alizarin red. As the Raven hits the universe, which is a mixture of Windsor blue, Antwerp blue and Sepia, it begins to lighten color. (These are colors to come) Painted with different layers of Sepia, the Raven is softer in color as its beak and wings approach the stars. The following tail and wingtips are deep, dark Sepia as they still hold on to the warmth of the earth.

Raven Totem-Canadian Rockies

As you begin to work with a painting you begin to build the foundation. After gazing at my rough draft for a while I realized I need to change the Ravens orientation so it is flying across the sky and not up in to the universe.

To capture the stars and the silhouette of the Raven I then apply a masking liquid that does not allow the paint to stick to it. When it is painted over then peeled off it will allow the white of the canvas to pop off the painting.

Raven Totem-Canadian Rockies

I have been on a personal journey the past while, very spiritual and fulfilling. As in any journey, we need the support of family and friends to help us along the way. Two friends of mine are a part of the Raven Totem journey. Pat Bavin(Bavin), is a very talented glass blower, painter and Shaman. Bavin has helped me open up my spiritual self to discover one of my animal totems....The Raven. Lyle Grisedale(Griz), is a photographer, guide and master in the kitchen. Griz has provided me with an image of a Raven in flight.

As I travel on this new journey, I have an image in my mind of a Raven in flight. The Raven is flying upwards, being released from the gravity of the earth. It leaves the warm hues of yellow, red and orange. As it ascends to the galaxy, it experiences cold, deep hues of blues, purples and black with highlights of bright stars.

I hope you enjoy the journey with Raven Totem

In The Forest-Canadian Rockies

I have just finished 3 busy months travelling, working with an Outdoor Sporting Goods brand. Lots of time on the highway, in airports, cities and hotels. Home in the mountains now, time to recharge.

When I awoke this morning it was snowing lightly, and I decided to go for a walk in the forest behind our home. The coyotes have been active in the area so I was hoping to catch a glimpse of them or even their tracks. As I walked along the trail the snow was gentling falling. There was no wind so the flakes came straight down landing on my nose and cheeks and tickling them. As I walked along flakes would land on my glasses.....first I could see the sharp outline of crystals, then they melted into oblong blobs of moisture.

I walked for around 40 minutes. As I worked my way thru the forest the snow accumulated on my toque and shoulders. Between my neck and shoulders was a gap or COL, with the snow piled high on either side.

In the forest. A time for releasing stress and gathering energy.

Bob Krysak

November Dusting-Canadian Rockies

It's the end of November in the Rockies. We live beside a wildlife corridor and there is a big, beautiful pine tree not too far from our house. I decided to put some Christmas lights on it, and after I put them up I wanted to put a couple of pieces of wood over the electric cords so the moisture would stay off them.

We had a dusting of snow the other day....it's been pretty dry for November. When I lifted up the 2 foot long log there was a beautiful array of leaves, grass, rock and earth. I am always amazed how some of the simplest things in nature can be the most compelling. I am fortunate to live in the mountains where nature is always sharing her secrets.