Prairie Springtime, New Adventures Ahead

It is rumored the Meadowlarks are back in southern Alberta, I am keeping my ears alert for their cheerful sound.

The snow is still thick on the ground and quickly turning to mush on this first day of spring. Thinking ahead of hiking and painting adventures in the prairies and mountains, I'm making optimistic warm weather plans.

Digging around through my digital treasure trove, I discovered this short video clip taken in Grasslands National Park last May. I spent a few days hiking, sketching and painting the surrounding valleys. On the last night camping, I was treated to an epic storm that howled through the Frenchman River Valley. At three AM, the wind ended and a single note from a Meadowlark indicated the world was still intact. Later as the sun was rising, the valley filled with the loud, complex birdsong. I set up and worked on plein aire canvases and sketches from which several paintings were inspired.