“Snowy Day, Cloudburst Mountain” transports you to a crisp winter day at Shadow Lake, where I painted this piece on location early in my artistic journey. Shadow Lake, a head-pond for water diverted to the Cheakamus Generating Station, is a dynamic subject; its water level varies dramatically with each visit, and its colours often shift from vibrant emerald green to deep cobalt, and even a midnight blue. On this particular day, the lake shimmered with a deep cobalt blue hue.
The scene was pure winter beauty: plenty of snow still covered Cloudburst Mountain, though a recent thaw had melted it from the trees, creating a stark contrast. The water diversion had caused the lake's level to drop, leaving the sandy banks exposed and snow-free. Above, the sky was a striking cool blue, transitioning to a warmer cerulean towards the horizon. Delicate cirrus clouds were painted with visible brushstrokes, creating a sense of dynamic movement.
Visible brushstrokes throughout the piece capture the immediacy and energy of painting in the chilly air and the direct approach needed to capture the fleeting light. My aim was to convey the sheer grandeur of Cloudburst Mountain, emphasized through its commanding scale, along with the captivating swirl of those cirrus clouds, and the biting crispness of the winter air that surrounded me as I worked, transferring that invigorating atmosphere directly onto the canvas.