Forillon park is one amazing vista after another, and beautiful hikes to get you there. 

The gentle symphony of surf on pebble and the distant call of thousands of sea birds were a constant musical score as I sketched and contemplated the world before me.

Waiting on Bonaventure Island, for the ferry to take us back to the mainland. It is a long walk to the Gannet Colony but well worth the trip.

Unfortunately 35 families were forced to leave their homes when the island was made into a bird sanctuary. Their homes are now preserved as a historical site.
My waterproof ink pen ran dry so I used my other fine marker to sketch; I like these black and white drawings.

Spent an hour or so at the Gannet colony on Bonaventure Island; sketching, watching,listening and smelling the thousands of birds (and flies). The birds were very close and still, allowing plenty of time to observe, photograph and sketch.
The island is quite large and would be worth spending a lot more time, but we were limited by the ferry scedule and our travel time back to the camp site.

From behind the "casse-croute" where we bought ice cream cones dipped in chocolate.

Went for ice cream near Cap des Rosiers lighthouse; good ice cream but  had to eat it fast in the mid-day heat.
The beautiful weather held for our whole trip making outdoor sketching a pleasure.

Lighthouse reflections.

Looking toward the mountains of Forillon National Park, our camp site is just this side of them.

I carried one of the 3.5 x 5.5 inch pads I made and a Pilot v ball pen in my shirt pocket on a hike to "la Chute". This became a habit while out and about, I would sketch in "the field" and add watercolour later at camp.
I liked the results of the top of the falls,but it gave a better idea of the scene to include the forground at my feet.
Having the person in the picture adds interest and perspective, I think.
I would have liked to spend some quiet time here as it was quite "magical".

The hiking trail crossed the meandering tree shaded stream, and slowly crept up the hill to cross the water above the falls.
We took the rising pathway slowly, enjoying the surrounding forest, and as the others photographed the picturesque scene I drew an image of the falls disappearing over the edge to where we once stood.
There is something mystical about forests and streams and falling water.

Forillon National Park, Gaspe region of Quebec, our first walk on the beach after setting up camp.
The distant cliffs abound with seabirds.
Very soothing is the sound of water playing with the pebbles, gently relaxing the mind after the days travel.

Centre D'Art Marcel Gagnon Sainte Flavie Quebec, is an amazing place to visit. We stopped to see the sculptures and art gallery of this very talented family of artists. The beautiful stone building, housing the inn, restaurent (great food) and galleries, is a work of art in itself adorned with mosaics and sculptures.
I made some quick sketches of the outside sculptures before breakfast.

We park our Trillium trailer ( Chooky) in the free overnight parking area at the Point -au-Pere lighthouse.
Having booked our campsite at Forillon for tomorrow night, we decided to stay one night here to split the driving time.
I found myself using the two page panoramic space quite often during the trip.

 Just back from a two week trip to Forillon National park in the Gaspe region of Quebec and New Brunswick's Kougibouguac National park.
In the past I have spent a lot of time concentrating on photography while on holidays but this trip proved to be a great one for sketching.
When time was limited, I would sketch in ink and add colour when back in camp or the next morning while having tea.




Our lunch stop on the first day of travel, a rest area near St.Jean-Port-Joli. The wind proved to be a 
challenge as I held onto everything while sketching.
I painted the first piece, of the distant mountains river and rocks, on site. The shallow river near the shore made for very muddy waters.


I made the ink sketch of the people at the picnic table on site and added watercolour later.






I did manage to get one more painting done on-site, of the man looking out to the river.
There is something about the complete watercolour sketch done while on location, very immediate and real. The mix of time limit and weather conditions adds it's own flavor too, hopefully good flavor :)

I was unable to post while away so will be adding the many drawings over the next little while.

 Our Garter snake in residence ate a good
breakfast this morning, in fact I thought about
doing a chipmunk head count after seeing his
belly. I sketched him later in the day while he rested in a cement block and the belly bulge
was still very much there. After trying an ink and watercolor I decided to do another with
ink alone which I like better.
He was unsure of me to start and retreated into the hole but then decided I was no big threat and hung his head out and relaxed.
I love snakes.

I contemplate as I sit and wait, what lovely  pies I could make with flies, to bake and eat in the suns bright heat,oh what a life have I.

 I have been trying to include time to stop and sketch on my long commute to work, finding it a great way to start the day.
Living in the country and working in Ottawa has me passing through some beautiful countryside and small villages on the way to and from work.
These sketches were done in Almonte, near the falls, a beautiful spot to stop.
On this particular morning I tried drawing and painting in a more free, loose style and really enjoyed the results.
Before I knew it, three drawings had created themselves in a matter of 10 or 15 minutes, and I think I captured the moment as I wanted.
Even a fast few lines and  colors can bring back that moment in time for you as you look through the sketch book years after.
I usually have the radio tuned to classical music, open the windows of the car while parked for that 10 minutes and live totally in that moment while sketching, and it almost seems like time has stopped and all of my senses are focused.
I think I appreciate those few minutes of "living" and it rejuvenates, kind of like a morning pick me up.

I am always learning as I
sketch each day, and one
thing that I need to work
on is the amount of painting in the sketch.
Sometimes I get carried away and overdo, but
this ,I think, came out nice.
This way of drawing a subject also helps you to focus and observe. The sunflowers and the boy statue is what I saw first as I looked toward this section of garden.


Unblinking gaze                            worlds around me move
   sunflower shade

My wife and I visit the Purdon Conservation area , July 5. Unfortunately  we were too late in the season to see the orchids blooming but we did spend a beautiful few hours walking the trails.
This is a sketch of my wife relaxing on the board walk.
It is moments like this that make it all worth it, spending moments with someone you love sharing things you love.

 Morning tea on the porch, a wonderfully relaxing and gentle start to the day.

                                                                                                            I sit and contemplate many things while in the "early morning tea"mode;
The beautiful gardens Debbie created in front of the house, my pond
with it's frogs and lillys, the comings and goings of the many creatures that share this space with us.
Deb also has tomato plants in pots on the porch, so I thought I'd make a sketch "tomatoes and mytoes".
We're getting packed up and prepared for our trip to the Gaspe and New Brunswick, so starting the day with a calming sketch or two, clears my mind a little.
Another beautiful sunny day in the country.

I sometimes overdo the painting and find I lose the simple beauty. I like the uncluttered feel of this.

The camp in the morning; a cup of tea, silence, pen in hand, this is the life!

 Camping for a wonderful weekend with my youngest son. The weather cooperated but unfortunately the mosquitoes enjoyed the heat as well!
There is nothing like camping to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and re-tune your inner self.

                                                                   We played music, relaxed and took in the peace and silence.

 For a couple of Mondays in June, I drove the country roads in search of peace and sketching possibilities. I really enjoyed the freedom of ambling around with no destination in mind and stopping when the whim took me.
Too often are we caged by the limits we set upon ourselves, the tunnel vision of where we need to be instead of seeing where we are.

 It was nice to find that the small watercolor pads I put together worked well. I felt more at ease in sketching, perhaps the fact that they were inexpensive helped get past the " every sketch has to be good because I just spent a lot on this pad"

Of late I am getting so much more from stopping and drawing than taking a photo of a scene. I still paint from photos I have taken over the years but sitting and breathing in the view, feeling and seeing the moment and then trying to capture it on paper is being a part of the actual time and place.