Beach at NSA

Lake Superior, 9” x 16”, oil on panel, 2003

From the Coast To Canvas Project

The calmness of this scene would lead one to believe that the short paddle it took to get there was just as gentle. Although calm by Superior standards, the direction of the breeze, the geology of the land and the swirling flow from the mouth of the Michipicoten River combined for an interesting jaunt as the waves built up deceptively and crashed onto the beach. No real danger to speak of, and I would have eventually wound up on the shore had I flipped, it reinforced the continual respect needed for the lake, even when all appears to be quiet.

Reaching the far corner of this natural beach, the waters were settled by the shelter of the island. As a summer drizzle began to fall, I set up my tarp and then laid paint to panel. The fog hovered with the sun’s warmth toiling to break through as I continued working until dusk. I packed up and paddled back alongside the beach, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the now gentler waters.