Pround and grateful to be Canadian past1: Kemptville, Ontario to Quebec city

Usually, I post about leading trips to amazing places to paint around the world with a groups of students. This trip was conceptualized when I found out about the Pastel Society of Eastern Canadas' plans to host a very large pastel exhibition in Quebec city. 

During covid, I had time to think about what I'd accomplished in terms of my painting trips, and realized I'd been to many very cool places all over the world, while not really investigating fully, the many very cool places and amazing beauty of my very own country, of which I am very proud and grateful. I had always wanted to discover more of the eastern side of Quebec. Here's my chance!   

Driving partner arrives night before, and early the next morning, we are off on our adventure. I met Carol as a student in Haliburton many years ago. Multi-talented, Carol works in pastel, but also paints in several other mediums, and  is majorly, a photographer.  

        

Having planned this trip many months in advance, I was antsy to get painting, but needed to putmany hours of driving in to get to our destination first. So, stopping for photo opps was one way to stretch the legs,  entertain new ideas for paintings, and practisos, every time I took a photo. As many of you know, I love repeat pattern. 

       

Needs some editing, but a good composition, with good split up of picture plane, something I always look for. Eastern Ontario means swamps to me. 

Our first destination, the home of my friend and fellow artist, Jennifer Gow. Jenn treated us like royalty and we had a quick but good catch up. Thank you Jenn! 

We continued our way through what was left of Eastern Ontario and into Quebec, still stopping for stretches and photo opps. 

If you are reading this and are an artist, you will know what I mean about having thousands of photos to glean new paintings from. Ideas happen in a flash, paintings take a little while longer. Documenting ideas. 

If we had time, I would have liked to paint here, Spencerville. and it's mill. But no, we had to make our way to Laurier Station, just outside of Quebec city. Yes, a 2 day drive for an oldie like me. 

Ste. Antoine-de-Tilly

A small village on the St. Lawrence, just before Quebec City was a wonderful discovery. I am an architecture junky, especially old buildings, with so much charm. 

and barns too. 

This building is entirely shingles with the most beautiful tile. Gorgeous. Lovingly cared for. 

And in this little town, a quay, as the sun came down low in the sky, and gave us some contrast and warmth in an otherwise lackluster day. My first 2 paintings done here! 

My first piece, cold, tired, but did it anyways. just glad to be out of the car and into a new atmosphere. 

More charm from St. Antoine de Tilly. 

Just outside the provincial legislature, Quebec city! Always finding composition, statues, architecture, mountians, skies. Composition, Everywhere!

Unique views up on the ramparts. 

A famous street with restaurants going down a steep set of stairs in old town. Love different perspectives. 

Love green. Here's my interpreatation:

I call it, Sortie. 

Magical musical interludes 

Charm everywhere you look

And, a little romance? 

Stay tuned for the next phase of the trip and getting into some very exciting dynamic images, thanks to good old mother nature. Waterfalls, canyons, mountains and vivid fall colours.