“Warm Light Point Atkinson” is special to me because it originates from an early plein air study painted outdoors at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. When I first began painting outdoors, the idea of an audience made me a little nervous, so I tried to find a hard-to-reach rocky perch, hoping to paint undisturbed. To my surprise, children from a young family soon clambered their way up to my spot. I answered their curious questions, and then they settled in nearby, sharing stories as I painted. Later, I watched as they continued exploring the granite bluffs. I was delighted to see that their parents encouraged this exploration while helping them stay safe. What a heartwarming experience!
Starting on this studio piece, I intended to recreate the style and feeling of that initial plein air piece. But, as the brushwork progressed, the painting took on a life of its own. I decided to go with it, letting my current emotions express themselves in the work. I'm happy with the dramatic representation of the West Coast landscape. The granite masses—textured and lit with warm, burnt-orange undertones from the setting sun—set the foreground scale. Behind, the expanse of Howe Sound and the cloud-filled sky create a dramatic connection between land and sea.
I used energetic brushwork and focused on the interplay of cool and warm light to celebrate my beloved, rugged British Columbia coastline and the quiet, memorable moments spent painting on location.