Imagine standing on the rugged cliffs of Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, the historical lighthouse perched on the granite, with the orange glow of the setting sun illuminating the rugged textures of the coastline. This painting, "Dusk at Lighthouse Park," invites you to step into that magical moment. 

This painting is quite a wide panorama, yet the mass of the granite rock spreads out powerfully in the foreground, dominating much of the image.  The normally white and greyish rock has taken on the orange and yellow hues of dusk, illuminating its rugged textures.  The paint on the rocks is thick, and the brushstrokes are bold and visibly energetic, conveying the raw power of the coastline.  The sky above is a cool pale indigo blue, infused with delicate pale pinks, mauves, and yellows, and these same beautiful colours are reflected in the water below.  In the distance, Vancouver's iconic Stanley Park is visible, adding another layer to this breathtaking vista.

While created in the studio, this painting is the culmination of several plein air studies, where I sought to capture the raw energy and fleeting beauty of the landscape as it unfolded before me.  My intention was to infuse this larger work with the same urgency and spontaneity, ensuring the freshness and vibrant spirit of the outdoor approach resonates through its bold brushstrokes and thick paint.

Sometimes Mother Nature offers up special gifts, as she did one June day when I was absorbed in my painting high on these rocky slopes.  I heard an unusual sound – no other people were around.  I looked down into the water to my right, and there they were: two magnificent orcas, swimming swiftly by.  The sound I'd heard was the distinct whoosh of air from their blowholes – a breathtaking, intimate encounter that is forever etched into my memory. 

This painting is an invitation to experience the magic of Point Atkinson at its most captivating.  It's a reminder of those precious moments when nature reveals its profound beauty and awe-inspiring wonders.