Nixon Lake, Water Shield, Sketches in the Wind and Studio
Its warmer this second week, in the mid to upper 50's so I'm down to two layers, but the flannel lined jeans still provide comfort in the cool breeze, especially since in a kayak your legs are stationary for hours.
Wearing wool socks and sneakers I set out from shore trying to get in the kayak without getting my feet wet. No luck. Left foot half immersed on entry so off came the shoes, strapped on the back of the kayak to dry in the sun.
My LL Bean flannel lined jeans--I lived in these for the first 9 days. They kept me warm in the cold and wind.
I stored my sketching materials in the box in front so everything would be handy.
I love topo maps and was excited when Susan opened the drawer at the station my first night and pulled out a bunch for me to use. The extensive interconnected water systems are so evident on this map, lake, creek, stream, bog, marsh, trees in and around the shoreline, all connected.
Winds at my back, 13 mph, just entering this small lake.
Paddling alone in cold conditions requires extra precautions, like wearing life jacket no matter how well you can swim.
Above, a small pencil sketch of Water Shield done in the kayak on a windy day on Nixon Lake. Time always slows down and my mind quiets when I sit and sketch. 30 minutes went by before I knew it, time to move on—fingers were getting cold . . .but it was enough to embed the experience in memory and spark ideas for later.
On the left, water plants polka dotting the surface — reminding me of Larry Poons’ dot paintings. Some dead trees providing resting places for birds and other creatures.
Water shield on the right, water lilies on the left. Fall colors are deep reddish wine color! They are somewhat like water lilies, but small oval floating islands instead of round. There are so many different kinds of water plants — I am trying to learn some of the names.
My first drawing of water shield after returning the to cabin that day. I’m excited about the possibilities of working with reflected tree trunks and the oval dots of the water shield — bringing together forest and water (Color pencil on Canson mi-Teintes.)
Same studio session, a quick study in oil pastel over a toned acrylic background.
Beaver lodge, ubiquitous in this area.
Luminous sky and glowing colors. A range of Tamarack conifers on the distant shore. They appear so delicate amidst the other pines.
My memory doesn’t always cooperate in the moment, but the name of these glowing short needled deciduous conifers sprang forward! Tamaracks, most commonly found in swamps, drop all of their needles in the fall.
Brisk wind gusts pushing the water into endlessly changing patterns. Fortunately the lake is small and waves never exceeded 6 inches, but later when it started to whitecap on the far side of the lake, I needed to head back.
Someday when I return, I hope to find the Wild Rice, one of my favorite foods. Not seeking to harvest, but want to learn to recognize it, and see it growing and prospering. Climate change, geese, and swans are threatening the rice. By the way, don’t be mislead by the boat landing sign. Its canoes and kayaks only — sandy muddy scraped path to the lake. No concrete or dock, just the way I like it!