Forest Trail - Mule Deer

As in much of my work, this painting had its origin in moving through life and experiencing nature. Each moment presents itself to me as images. Of the millions entering my eyes for every hike or trip a very few deserve a special aha! moment which is often captured by my camera. These images incubate with me for years, even decades and I remember a remarkable percentage of them. This particular moment was recorded in the winter in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.

The aspen, one of my favourite trees, make a rhythmic vertical pattern. The tracks, which were made by one of our group, created the lyrical s shape. This magnificent buck was recorded in Calgary Zoo. It was in a lovely fall setting with golden aspen leaves. The scene was a bit too glorious for my taste so I created a more subtle and mysterious mood and converted the scene to the pre-dusk gloom when deer might go roaming.