Drumheller Hoodoos

The Ancient Stare

When you stand among the geological formations of the Drumheller Badlands in Alberta, it's impossible not to stare in disbelief. These unique Hoodoos tell an ancient story; they are composed of clay and sand deposited 70 to 75 million years ago. The structures maintain their powerful form because their softer bases erode faster than the thin capstones. It’s almost as though they are ancient sentinels keeping watch over the land.

I was drawn to the dramatic visual tension that defines this landscape. I focused on conveying two major contrasts using the acrylic medium: colour and form. The warm, earthy colours of the foreground rock and sand clash vibrantly with the cooler blues, lilacs, and mauves of the distant mountains and sky. With respect to form, the bold, vertical force of the sentinel-like Hoodoos stands in sharp opposition to the vast, sweeping horizontal lines of the hills and the wide prairie sky, creating dynamic energy.

May this painting bring the same drama and awe that I experienced in this magical Canadian place.