The 15th annual Winter Plein Air painting retreat was an experience of extremes: little snow and a hard rain followed by bright sun and deep freeze gave us pristine "wild ice" on the lake. As always, the camaraderie and dedicated time to paint reinforced friendships and inspired us to come back again.
We never said it's easy. Getting there means hauling yourself across a frozen lake with your gear. A snomobile hauls the big bags and we pull sleds for the rest. This year's journey was like a chapter of a Jack London story. With no snow, we had to haul the sleds up the wood decks to the lodge. Not fun.
Our efforts were rewarded with bright sun, beautiful ice, and lots of subject matter to paint that in previous years was hidden under heaps of snow.
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On Wednesday we held the world’s first Easel Race on Bearskin Lake. The rules were simple: Push your easel across the ice and once it stops, push it again until you cross the finish line. It’s actually harder than it seems.
Competition was fierce but Neil Sherman (whose runaway easel from the previous day became the brainchild of the event) prevailed with just one push – sailing his French easel handily across the goal line. He was followed in close proximity by Kurt Schulzetenberg taking silver and Janey Palmer taking the bronze.
Competition was fierce but Neil Sherman (whose runaway easel from the previous day became the brainchild of the event) prevailed with just one push – sailing his French easel handily across the goal line. He was followed in close proximity by Kurt Schulzetenberg taking silver and Janey Palmer taking the bronze.
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