Two weeks ago on Friday was the first of my plein-air sessions for the season, at Rockcliffe Outlook. This location has it all, including a covered pavilion and washrooms with warming hand driers.
The forecast was for cool temperatures, a few early showers, then clearing. As you might recall, what we got felt like the coldest day since January: a frigid 5 degrees with constant rain. Believe it or not, 5 stalwart souls braved the weather and painted away, gloves on, with regular visits to the washroom to use the hand driers as warmers. Congratulations all.
Fast forward to last Friday, where we had perfect weather for our outing to Bate Island, another great location: 360 degree views of the Ottawa river, rapids, shore and parkland. Plus 30C this time …a 25 degree difference in a single week. Out there on the Ottawa River, there was a nice breeze, no bugs and more relaxed brushwork!
One plein-airer noted that Samuel de Champlain and his party paddled up these rapids exactly 400 years ago and subsequently went home to add his canoe to his panorama!
