“Early Morning Breakout - Common Loon Family”

by Harvey Bodach

Original Painting, Acrylics on Masonite Board

32” x 56”

Framed with a Classic Barnwood Molding, Inner Liner and Barnwood Fillet

45” x 69”

Completion Year - 2021

For Limited Time Only - No HST

The white quartz outcrops throughout the many lakes of Killarney Provincial Park give the land its defining features which are an inspiration to artists today as much as they were to the Group of Seven artists, like A.Y.Jackson. It was these same rocks that attracted me to the landscape over twenty years ago where both sketches and photos were completed and became the foundational resource material for creating this large painting.

An experience with the natural world can never be complete without one seeing and hearing the eerie echoes of a Common Loon’s wail resonating from a northern lake. For me, that encounter began in the early hours of the morning on a watery landscape in Ontario, Canada.

A cool summer fog had just begun lifting off the still glassy waters of Killarney Provincial Park. The soft light of the sun was cascading across white quartz outcrops, weathered tree stumps and water lilies of the lake defining the features of this land. Then from a hidden corner of the landscape came a family of loons to greet the light of the new day. This is definitely a picture for anyone to remember, but for an artist it was inspirational.

The female Loon of any pair will lay one or two eggs in places hard for any predator to get to. Each parent will split the duties of caring for the nest over a 25 day period. They will break out from these hidden and secluded hiding spots together. There is always a danger lurking before them, both from above and under the water. Their work will last between 11 and 12 weeks, until the young loon is able to fly and care for itself.

I have created a painting designed to recreate my experience visually by moving the viewers eye around the composition. As the viewer’s eyes follow directional points, a number of important resting places become clear for the eye to dwell upon. Both the details of the landscape and the choice of elements all work together to highlight the event of this early morning breakout of a Common Loon family.

While simultaneously working on a number of pieces, this painting had a start date in late 2016 and in now complete for a September 2021 introduction. Those interested in the production process leading up to this artwork can check out the four pencil studies found in the Drawing and Sketching Gallery of this website.

(Scientific Name: Gavia immer)

Giclée Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Prints of painting are also available

CLOSE-UPS

HIGHER RESOLUTION CLOSE-UPS OF PAINTING CAN BE SEEN AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

Original art is best seen in person. If that is not always possible, then four cropped close-ups set here in higher resolution of the original painting can help. Move from left side, clockwise, the white cropping marks indicate the area in the painting.

For cellphone users, please flip toward side view and zoom in.