SPRAY LAKES-CANADIAN ROCKIES

Sunday, December 6, 8 of us in 4 cars drove to the Spray Lakes above Canmore. We heard the skating was good, so wanted to check it out. It was a beautiful, bluebird winter day, 5c with a light wind. 

While everyone skated, I sat in a camp chair in the snow, sipping on a cold beer. I brought with me 2 canvasses and a couple of felt pens. I wanted to capture the image and lines of the mountains on the canvas. Richard, a friend who was also not skating, sat beside me and we chatted as I drew some quick lines. I had also brought my 2 burner camp stove, fry pans, fondue and bread. As the skaters came back to basecamp, I fired up the stove and each person brought their plates forward with bread waiting for the tasty fondue that I poured over it. It was a very special afternoon, one that will stay with me for a long time.

Yesterday I was in my studio and looked at each canvas. I closed my eyes and again I could feel the warmth of the sun, feel the breeze across my face and smell the cheesy fondue as it bubbled in the pans.

Time to paint. The first sketch is called Spray Crystalline Lunch Spot and the second Spray Crystalline Air. I feel so fortunate to be able to create in these challenging times.
 

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 Creating a painting is a journey. While you enjoy the process, you never really know what the destination and final outcome will be. I begin working on the Chief's headdress, adding layers of feathers, and colour. When it is complete, I stand back and my eyes wander around the painting, looking for areas that need darker shades, and some added line definition. I realize I am finished. I sign my name.

Raven Over Sleeping Buffalo    24"x30"  $495

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 The fish are done. You have to learn when it is time to step back, put down the brush, and just look at your painting. You need to step out of being a creator to being an observer and know when it is time to move on to the next step. The trees are very important to this world, and so are their roots. I layer in the short, gnarly root system of the pines. The earth, while made up of decomposed grass, trees, and creatures, also contains rock. I sketch in Rundle rock in the soil, and surround each rock with the turquoise color from the lake. Without water there is nothing. The Chief beckons me, and I begin to lay down colours on his face and headdress.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 As mentioned earlier, I've never painted fish before. It's an interesting journey trying something new. You have to believe in yourself, and realize not everyone is a fish expert, and hope those that are won't be too critical of your creations. As my brush dances over each trout and I analyze each photo on my computer, I gain an appreciation for these creatures that survive in cold, remote locations. My next area of focus will be the earth between the trees and the lake. The trees have roots, and the earth also contains rundle rock.  

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 I finish the trees, and my attention turns to the Lake Trout that are swimming in the cold Vermilion Lake waters. I have swum in this lake, only for a short time, as I flew out of the water after falling off my paddleboard. The bottom of the lake is thick, gooey mud. It has trapped many elk in its time as elk have tried to traverse across it in early Spring. I've never painted trout before, or any fish for that matter. I use reference images from the internet. I also use an image of a glass lake trout my friend Ryan Bavin has created. Google his name to see a master of glass at work. His Dad, Pat, is also a glassblower and a painter. He is also a Forest Therapy Guide and thru him, I have gained a new appreciation for the forest. The trout require many layers, and as one dries, I focus on the next one. In the background, I am listening to the Road Home FM. Great tunes to paint with as my brush continues to dance on the canvas at 12:15 am.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 In the next phase with Raven Over Sleeping Buffalo, I lay down a layer of Burnt Umber to represent the earth, the dirt that supports the life of the trees. I then begin to paint in the trees, the guardians of the land that give us oxygen, shelter for many woodland creatures, and warmth in our fireplace. As I travel thru this stage of my life journey I realize more and more how important trees are to our existence. Especially to mine.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 I put another layer of Sepia on the Buffalo. I'm debating whether to add in some green trees on its back to reflect the trees that are on the mountain in reality. I also add a few layers of Cobalt blue and a darker mix of blues to Mt. Rundle. My usual process of painting is to start from the top and work down. That means the Chief is next in line. I'm feeling I want to layer in the earth first that is between the trees and the lake. I'll then colour in the trees, do the fish and lastly the Cheif. He is a key part of the painting, so I want to make sure all revolves around him.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 There are multiple layers in the hide of the buffalo. I first lay down a layer of raw umber, then with a fine bristle brush stroke in layers of sepia which a blackish brown. While I let these layers dry, I start thinking of colours for Mt. Rundle. One thing I need to remember is that the face of Rundle in my view has no sun on it, so it needs to be darker to give some contrast to all the brighter colours.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

The dance with Raven Over Rundle begins to slow down. I take the time to really look at what I am painting, and try to interlock colours, image and thought together. I paint Raven in a dark black and add the same to parts to the towers of Mt. Rundle. I capture the rich purple of the sky and place it on the left peaks of the Fairholme Range. I sit and ponder on the next piece of the puzzle......Sleeping Buffalo.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

It's interesting how the painting evolves before my eyes. As the sky dries, I do my first layer of Vermilion Lake. I then remove the masking on the Raven and around the mountains that is used to create a crisp, sharp line. Pondering on how to paint Sleeping Buffalo.........use browns like a buffalo, or greens to represent trees? Maybe both. The Chief will be an interesting journey to work on.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

I began creating Raven Over Sleeping Buffalo mid April, 2020. April 21 I had a bike crash, with results being a compound fracture in my right elbow, nerve damage in my right arm/hand, concussion, bruised ribs, and spine damage. It has been a long road of recovery, with many more miles to travel.

I have looked at this canvas like an addict looking at a cigarette or an alcoholic at a bottle. I have wanted so much to paint, but I have been scared. For a while I couldn't hold a brush in my hand, nor control it. I have done small, quick 5 minute sketches, but that's all. 

I'm not sure what happened today. I was out in the fresh air, ravens overhead and a light snowfall tickling my nose as I walked thru the trees. I did a quick sketch outside and was pleased with putting pen/brush to paper. When I got home, Raven Over Sleeping Buffalo was calling me, and I went to my studio and began to paint. 

I always begin with the sky, as it sets the mood for the rest of the painting. I wanted to capture the darkening of the sky as it passes into night, the brightness of blues in midday, and the collision of colours in the early morn. As the sky dries my brush will wander down to the Vermilion Lake where I want to capture the cool glacial turquoise and green of the cold water.

ROBERT KRYSAK WATERCOLOUR CARDS FOR SALE-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

RAVEN OVER RUNDLE-CANADIAN ROCKIES

I have now masked in most of the areas on the canvas I want to have a clean, sharp line afterward. My challenge now is to decide what the sky is going to look like. One part of me wants colours streaming across the sky following the raven. The other side wants that crisp, icy blue you find in the mountains in the Spring. Usually, a meditation session helps me visualize what is next in the journey. We'll see what is offered and put it to the canvas.

RAVEN OVER RUNDLE-CANADIAN ROCKIES

A lot of thought goes into the piece at this stage, mapping out images/design and concept. I begin to mask in certain areas so once the paint goes on and I remove the masking material there is a clean, sharp edge. The sky is giving me challenges as I am trying to decide how to lay it down.....more clouds and swirls of clouds or layers of blue? The middle of the picture is pretty straight forward......Sleeping Buffalo (Tunnel Mountain) with the Cheif present in Mt. Rundle. The foreground will be roots, water, and fish....the mountain landscape that surrounds us.

RAVEN OVER RUNDLE-CANADIAN ROCKIES

Initial pencil sketch laying out ideas 

Pencil sketch on canvas, outlining buffalo, chief, and raven

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus”. Mark Twain.
I've been told I have an imagination. I've been struggling lately to create any new art. With the challenges going on in the world, I have spent much time thinking about the future of the world, for my family, my wife, and my son. The other day while on a bike ride to Vermilion lakes, I looked back at Sleeping Buffalo (Tunnel Mountain) and Mount Rundle. I imagined a buffalo resting on the grass, and off to the side, a Stoney Nakoda Chief watching over the buffalo and the Bow Valley. It is a work in progress, and I want to capture water, wildlife, earth, and sky.
Robert Krysak

WATER-CANADIAN ROCKIES

“Water flows free and wild, not aware of any boundaries or rules or traditions. Not bothered about anything gone or left behind, she eagerly rushes to new dimensions in her life knowing the best is yet to come. Learn to be like the soul of water; clean, compassionate, loving yet strong enough to endure anything.” Harshada Pathare. I went for my first bike ride today. It was 7c, the sun was shining and water was flowing everywhere. My soul was bursting with the excitement of the promise of Spring. As I rode along, I also thought of the promise of our new world once this world challenge ends. Get outside and enjoy the journey.

BACK TO BASICS-CANADIAN ROCKIES

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need”. Tao Te Ching. 

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. Pencil and paper are well-known friends and have been my travelling companions for years. This quick sketch is of 2 of the 12 windows we have in our living room. From every window in our humble abode, you can see mountains and trees. It will be fun to sketch the view I see thru each of them. 
Enjoy the journey

CREATING ART MATERIALS AT HOME-CANADIAN ROCKIES

The finished pieces of art. Paper towel.

Watercolour Paper

Parchment paper

I hope you have enjoyed following this journey as much as I have enjoyed creating it. Except for the paper, I could eat these. The next challenge is a surface to paint on that is edible. 

Listening to Terry David Mulligan on CKUA as I work on this blog.

Be safe

Robert Krysak

CREATING ART MATERIALS AT HOME-CANADIAN ROCKIES

While the watercolour paper and parchment paper were painted with wet paint on dry paper, the paper towel piece is wet colour on wet paper. It absorbs in quickly providing an interesting look. Here I'm using the larger razor brush.

To add some different layers of colour I mix blueberry with mustard and throw in a bit of spinach.

The image comes to life as I add more layers of colour.

CREATING ART MATERIALS AT HOME-CANADIAN ROCKIES

Each substrate/paper reacts differently to the colours. Here the colours sit on top of the parchment paper as the paper is made to repel things and keep things from sticking. I'm using the larger razor brush to put in the sky. Pieces of blueberry show up on the paper and give an interesting texture.

On the watercolour paper, I first brush in the red wine to begin to layer in some sky. It is a malbec and it's surprising how thin it covers the paper.

Again on the watercolour paper, I brush in some blueberry into the sky. On the right side, I brush in some mustard. The slope of the mountain in the foreground is a mix of blueberry and mustard, and the spinach is used for the trees. Using the toothbrush and the small razor cleaner for the strokes.

I let the first layer dry, then brush in more of my blueberry/mustard mix....almost grey.

I use the toothbrush to layer in more colour in the sky and the foreground.

CREATING ART MATERIALS AT HOME-CANADIAN ROCKIES

With my paints ready, I sketch in some lines of Mt. Rundle on each piece.

Rundle on parchment paper

Rundle on watercolour paper

Rundle on wet paper towel

CREATING ART MATERIALS AT HOME-CANADIAN ROCKIES

I used a comb, q-tips, electric razor cleaning brushes and a toothbrush as my painting tools

I cut back bristles on the toothbrush to have more of a point.

I then microwaved some frozen blueberries.

Next, I blended the berries in a small processor.

My green was made with blended spinach and water.

My red was made with blended strawberries, and mustard was used for yellow. In each colour I added an egg yolk and vinegar for bonding.

CREATING ART MATERIALS AT HOME-CANADIAN ROCKIES

I decided to make my own paper for painting, even though I have lots of watercolour paper. This is for those at home who want to create but do not have the tools. I used a cookie sheet as my template and layered in the paper towel. I would put one layer down, then wet with a spray bottle with water. After each layer, I would flatten with my hand and then roll with a water bottle. I then baked in the oven at 350 for a couple of minutes, then poured a layer of water again over the paper, an ounce or so. In the oven again for 2 minutes, then I let sit wet on the counter as I prepared my colours.

CREATING ART MATERIALS AT HOME-CANADIAN ROCKIES

"Creativity is contagious, pass it on". Albert Einstein

I have lots of art supplies in the house, but what if you want to create, you have no supplies, and stores are closed? I decided to make my own.

The painting above was painted on layers of paper towels. The colours were created from blueberries, spinach, mustard, strawberries.........each blended separately then I added an egg yolk and vinegar. In the next few days, I will post images of 3 paintings, one on watercolour paper, one on parchment paper and one on paper towels. I will walk thru the process of how colours were created and what I used to paint with.

Enjoy the journey.

Robert Krysak