Svalbard Journey, 2008

Arctica , a 15 meter steel hull sailing boat customized for arctic conditions, was home and studio for 5 of us who chartered the vessel along with a skipper for 3 weeks.  This vessel, along with towing 2 zodiacs, gave us the flexibility and intimacy to explore the wonderful fjords and wildlife of a group of high arctic islands north of Norway called Svalbard.  Despite a very heavy ice year we managed to circumnavigate Spitzbergen, Svalbard's largest island, as well as explore many other islands.  Painting on location - either from the deck or on landings - was done around the clock , often in the glow of the midnight sun.  I look forward to working on studio paintings inspired from this trip soon!