Time Spent Making Art: FRIENDS OF KILLARNEY PROVINCIAL PARK

Thursday 24 May 2012

FRIENDS OF KILLARNEY PROVINCIAL PARK

I may have mentioned in a previous post that I no longer exhibit my sketches and paintings. I’m no longer excited by the prospect of continually producing new work for questionable sales opportunities. My romance with art has grown cold, the business side that is. I still enjoy, love in fact, making art, but now I’d rather donate it, with the hope that it might serve to raise funds to help to promote and protect Canada’s natural heritage.

Being an artist- naturalist I tend to use my art to support charities that favor art and nature, which at the moment, as it has for many years, is the Friends of Killarney Provincial Park.

Situated on the north shore of Georgian Bay, in the municipality of Killarney, Killarney Provincial Park straddles the La Cloche, an ancient mountain range now reduced to large rounded white quartzite hills, that dominate the landscape. The white peaks and cliffs contrast with the pine and hardwood forests and the boggy lowlands that surround the parks many lakes.

For those of you who may not have heard of it, Killarney is one of Ontario's most popular wilderness destinations. It is considered one of the crown jewels of the Ontario Park system. It’s primarily a wilderness park, with but one campground and few facilities, allowing visitors a chance to experience the solitude and beauty of its undisturbed natural setting. It has spectacular hiking trails and canoe-in backcountry camping.

Killarney Provincial Park has been a source of inspiration for countless artists including members of Canada’s famous Group of Seven painters. Killarney is the artist’s idea of paradise with inspiration around every corner. Taking advantage of this fact the Friends of Killarney Park offer summer campers free art programs provided by Artists in Residence.

In 2008, with assistance from the Friends of Killarney Park, I published a book entitled, “ IMPRESSIONS – An Artist’s Introduction to Killarney Provincial Park” featuring approximately 100 of my sketches and paintings of the park. All proceeds from the sale of the book go towards supporting park programs. Copies can be obtained by visiting the Friends of Killarney Park website and accessing the gift shop.

I continue to sketch and paint Killarney, and at the moment am putting together a portfolio of sketches, drawings, and small watercolour paintings to assist the Friends with ongoing fundraising. Time well spent.