February Sketch Challenge

Ever since watercolour painting grasped ahold of me, the use of all my other mediums fell by the wayside!  The coloured pencils, India ink pens, watercolour brush pens and graphite pencils still sit at the very edge of my table.  Self talk kicked in and I told myself "If you are not going to use them than put them away!" This is the outcome of that self talk!  I created what I call "February Sketch Challenge" using graphite pencils and it came with two simple rules:  

• sketch a picture each day in February  
• time limit is 30 minutes  

This is the outcome of the challenge!  I googled "simple sketches" to get these ideas.  I wanted to add a hit of colour so on Feb. 2nd and Feb. 4th, I began the sketch by creating a border with watercolour paint and plastic wrap.  I then ditched that idea as it ate away at my time limit and using just graphite pencils was the idea.  I still wanted colour so used the washi tape I had on hand.  On Feb. 19th I once again added a watercolour border.  Because I had to work quickly on sketches with a tad more detail, the result was a messy look with graphite smudges everywhere from the side of my hand.  Nearing the end of the month, I got bored with the challenge so I picked very easy ideas to recreate.  I am pleased with the outcome of this challenge and for the majority of the sketches, I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent working on them. 

Now I am asking myself "What should I do with the graphite pencils, put them away or leave them on the edge of my table?  What about the coloured pencils, the India ink pens, the watercolour brush pens?  Should I put another challenge in place with those mediums or put them away?"

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary February 26, 2023

Has anyone every purchased footwear for the sole reason being the pattern on the sole?  I spotted this print in the snow on my way into the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary!  I would love to leave a mark like that!  Seeing all those hearts, I took as a sign this would be a good visit!  I even hoped to see who owned this print with intentions of making inquiries.  No such luck though, the print ended before the entrance. 

The pathway at the entrance was the only section clear of snow.  

As I got closer to the lagoon, 

I could see steam rising from the river on the other side of the trees. 

Instead of looking for birds, 

I motored quickly to keep warm and get to the river to see the sights.

following a beaten path through the snow

this is why I like the early hours

an angel dropped by for a visit, probably yesterday

my trail through the snow along a section of the river that is not off limits

view from the trail

By now I was warmed up, saw the early morning lightning on the river and was ready to bird spot!  There was not much activity as I began my search other than Crows and Magpies.  Then, just like that, other birds began to bustle about!  The Black-Capped Chickadee gave me such a cute pose tilting its head sideways with a sprinkle of snow on its beak. 

The American Bald Eagle took off just as I snapped a shot.

It flew around then landed a very short distance up the path so I went where it went. 

a Juvenile Americal Bald Eagle

a Male House Finch

The hearts at the start of my day were a positive sign!  

filling blank canvases

I painted this picture a couple of weeks ago, using numerous photos as my reference.  I shared it on a social media account with the caption "Each day dawns as a new blank canvas!  How will you choose to paint your day?"  This summer I hope to experience a set up similar to this then come away with the canvas no longer blank.  This experience is one of the items on my "vision board."  Until that time comes...   

.....I have been filling small blank canvases that measure 5 inches by 6 7/8 inches.  This is my very first collection of art cards.  They were enjoyable little projects to work on.  Some cards were more challenging than others due to incorporating lots of small details into small spaces. The back and inside are blank right now.  I am brain storming on whether to or how to or what to include on the blank spaces.  When they are complete, I will send them on their way!   I will also take some time to decide whether to paint more then go a different route on what to do with them.   

 I have been working on another challenge other than the North Coast 500 Virtual Challenge!  

Check back at the end of this mouth to find out how I did!   

 

North Coast 500 Virtual Challenge Progress Report February 21, 2023

virtual vs reality on February 21st

The kilometres are passing by and the virtual sights have been plentiful and beautiful!  Many history and geography lessons have been learned and I know loads more are still ahead of me.  I have been able to keep ahead of my mission yet at times it has taken an extra effort to cover distance.  Being in Banff National Park last week helped and the recent snowfall helped.  The lack of snow locally was leaving me unmotivated, brown in winter is not pretty.

the statistics at end of day February 21

 where I am along the route

This was the weather forecast in Scotland for around the time I was out & about in Calgary.  From what I hear and what I read, more than likely it would be overcast and showery and rainy in Scotland.  The virtual views have been otherwise which I believe is misleading me.  

After posting the distance covered today, I then clicked on "show me on street view".  I was along a tree lined rugged road but when I looked beyond the trees to see what was surrounding me, this was a virtual view I had.

my reality today

This was my weather reality today and those celsius temperatures do no include windchill!

It was approximately -26C with windchill when I hit the trail at Confluence Park.  We had a snowfall warning overnight and the snow continued to flurry down today.  Driving was forecasted as miserable so I did not venture far.  This photo is looking back at the path I broke.  

a detour into the forest

the sun was trying to break through and it did enough to create a pretty sight

swishing through untouched snow

The sights are just as sweet as the sounds!

A little while back when I checked to see were I was along the way, this is what the program showed.  This was where I was at end of day February 4th.  After completing and entering the day's distance....

....a postcard popped into my mailbox.

This is an excerpt from the story that came with this post card.  "Torridon is a great base for any climbing, hiking, mountaineering or wildlife spotting. It is surrounded by mountains and hills with plentiful trails to climb to the top and take in the splendid views in any direction. There are three main ridge climbing mountains: Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin."

The wonderful views continued as I ventured along the route.  I reached a town called Gairloch.  These two photos are from google earth.  The Gairloch Church is located in such a beautiful setting. 

When I virtually passed through Gairloch, Scotland, it brought me back home.  

New Gairloch is a hop, skip and a jump from New Glasgow, the town I grew up in.  Red marker = New Gairloch; Orange star = New Glasgow.

The slogan for Pictou, which is a small town in Pictou County, is "the birthplace of New Scotland".  That birth occurred during the Highland Clearances in Scotland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  

This is the Gairloch Church in New Gairloch.  The photo was with a group of photos in a Pictou County  tourist website of local interesting sights to see.

This is the next postcard I received.  

Excerpt from post card:

"The village of Poolewe is located between mountains and the sea. It has the shortest river in Scotland, all of 1mi (1.6km) long which runs through the village connecting Loch Maree to Loch Ewe. On the shore of Loch Ewe is the Poolewe Hotel. Built in 1570 it was originally a coach inn and it seemed like a great place to rest and enjoy a meal of pan fried Scottish salmon with broccoli & garlic sauce, sauteed potatoes and cauliflower."

This is a view of the Poolewe Hotel & Cafe from along my virtual route.  What I found out while on this virtual challenge is most of the hotels and cafes are either permanently or temporarily closed.  Some due to being seasonal businesses while others I can only imagine may be due to age or lack of business when our world changed. 

view of Gruinard Bay from along the route, from google earth

When I reached the 279 kms mark, I found myself in Dundonnell.

While I enjoyed all the other virtual challenges I took on, this one is becoming my favourite.  I only covered 35% of the distance so far and was curious as to what is facing me.  I took a peek along the route ahead and I am already looking forward to getting there.

"breathe mountain style" February 16, 2023

Before heading east to go home, I aimed west again to skate, maybe for the last time this season, on Lake Louise.  That is unless I decide to head to this area for a fourth get-away while winter is still with us.  This week the winter highway driving conditions in the National Park have been summer-like.  Next week will be a different story!  

As I began the drive up the winding mountain road, a few flurries were sprinkling down. I wondered how long that had been going on and if there would be accumulation on the ice surface. Well, there was accumulation, just enough to make a canvas where I could show my creativity.   

you can see the hearts of various sizes in my track

It was another very quiet morning for skating and also for everywhere in the Lake Louise area.  With no one around, the way was clear to capture a few more shots of the Ice Castle when I skated behind it. 

After skating, I snapped more split seconds in time.  

The time came to hit the highway to home.  I was feeling fulfilled from breathing in loads of mountain air these past few days.  I enjoy these styles of get-aways!  

"breathe mountain style" February 15, 2023

 

After skating then cross country skiing yesterday, I was ready to get a little high today. A hike up Tunnel Mountain would give me that fix. Right from the get-go at the lower parking lot, the trail was well packed with many sections of ice so spikes for me were a necessity.  As you can see, it is a well used trail.  Thankfully I am a morning person so shared the route with only a few others who were already on their way down.

The views began to appear as I worked my way up the switchbacks.  

This is looking west with the Vermillion Lakes down below.  

To the east you can see the Banff Springs Golf Course, with not much snow, sitting between the Bow River and Mount Rundle.

I made it to the official summit and the “red chairs” but instead of stopping there, I got a little higher.  It was cold up here but I still took some time to savour the scenery and a snack.  

chai tea and hot chocolate to go with my snack

On the way down, I stopped by the “red chairs”.

The photo is not slanted!

Also on the way down, I veered off to all the view points.  I saw a bunch of small brown bumps that appeared to be moving,  I zoomed in the full length that my camera provides to see it was a herd of elk on a road by the golf course.

 

After hiking Tunnel Mountain, I drove out to Lake Minnewanka.  This visit would be all about the ice.  In winter, I enjoy hiking along the edge of the lake to admire Mother Nature’s ice sculptures.  My skates were in the car just in case there was a chance of a smooth clear surface not too far out.  That was not the case.  I did see two people a way the hell on gone out there but there was no way I was joining them.  

With camera in hand, warm gear on, spikes on my boots , I hit the edge of the lake. The first thing I spotted was a heart! I took this as a sign of what I would be in for on this visit.

There were so many beautifully crafted chunks of ice!  Some needed a bit of polishing to reveal what was inside.  This slice was about the size of my hand and revealed a bunch of bubbles once I cleared the snow off it.

When I saw this chunk of ice, I immediately thought it had the shape of an Inukshuk.

It was so pure and clear, the blue from the sky reflected in it.

This view looks so wild to me!

I wanted to be one with that wild look!

I thought someone must have polished and placed that piece of ice there.  I zoomed in to capture this photo. I wanted to get closer but I could not see a safe way to get up, in and around to it.  

This was such a dainty looking, tiny piece of ice, about the size of a quarter.  It was deep inside layers of rocks and ice.  It was awkward to get into a steady position to photograph it.  It took many tries.

It was what looked like vertical slices of ice packed together that caught my eye when I saw this creation.  To capture this view, it took becoming one with the lake.  I only saw the blues at the bottom when I was down and at eye level.

springing off a block of ice

While I have so many more photos of ice chunks, I will share just one more.  This was the last one I took a picture of.  Do you see what I see? This hike started with a heart and it finishes with a heart!  I see a sideways heart on the right side. The sun is directly behind the top making the ice sparkle and glow. What I used to dislike were white spots all over a photo from the sun like in the top left of this photo. Since taking up water colour painting, I learned to like that look which is called the “Bokeh Effect”.  I learned how to incorporate that look into some of my paintings. 

There was so much to see and enjoy while out and about today.  

The time came to enjoy some fire time.