Mayne Island

We went to Mayne Island in the Gulf Islands last weekend for a career retrospective show by Kelly's aunt, Sarah Landry.  Sally is a biological illustrator and artist, who did famous drawings for biologist E.O. Wilson's books (she calls him "Ed"; that's like calling Obama "Barry"), Peterson field guides, large-scale murals at aquariums, and many stand-alone works.  It was amazing to see the assembled collection, and realize how much painstaking effort was required to produce so many drawings that are accurate, detailed and beautifully nuanced.  And at the other end of the scale, here are some of my drawings...

A couple very quick sketches from the ferry.  There are two types of people in the world - those who stand outside on the ferry, regardless of cold, wind, rain and sleet, and those who don't.  In other words, there's me and the rest of the world.  The first was done in blowing rain - definitely "wet on wet" technique -, the second in sleet during the brief stop at Galliano Island, sheltering the page with my body so I could use my water-soluble pen.

Then another quick drawing between rainstorms and in-law family events, from Canada's newest national park, which is scattered across the southern Gulf Islands.

And a couple somewhat more leisurely drawings on the sunny following day, at the Georgina Pt. lighthouse, with either Galliano Island or the mainland in the background.

Finally, on the return journey, I joined the sensible majority for at least part of the trip, and drew Mt Baker and surroundings through the ferry window, as storm clouds gathered again.