Experiences
Painting The Wild Places With Dave Gilsvik
May 2022
This past May I had the unique opportunity to participate in a course taught by Dave Gilsvik. Dave is a renowned painter of the North Shore and Boundary Waters of Minnesota. The class was held at Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. We painted at the Lodge and also ventured out into the wilderness. Below are some of the amazing painting experiences I had while taking this class.
Gunflint Lake at 7:00AM on May 19th
Dave and a few of us from the class hiked to the top of Honeymoon Bluff! This overlook is located between the Gunflint Trail and Clearwater Lake. The view includes the expanse of Hungry Jack Lake and West Bearskin Lake to the right. This was a highlight from taking this class! Below is a video of the view we were painting.
VIEW FROM HONEYMOON BLUFF
On another day I decided to head over to Clearwater Lodge. The owners were very kind and let me paint from the dock. You can see photos of my progress below and the view of the Clearwater Palisades!
Below is the view of East Bearskin Lake from one of the docks at the lodge.
I also had the opportunity to paint at Poplar Lake! While I was there the weather kept changing. Parts of the lake were illuminated by sunlight while other areas were having rain showers.
This was a quick painting, but I think I was able to capture the sun and rain.
I worked on this moose painting each of the 4 nights while staying at Bearskin Lodge. It is titled "Near Gunflint Lake". I completed the painting in the studio when I returned home.
I stopped in Grand Marais on my way home. Below is a video that shows Lake Superior and my view of the Sawtooth Mountains while painting at Artist Point.
SAWTOOTH FROM ARTIST POINT
Ash & Smoke from the Greenwood Lake fire in
August of 2021
I had the opportunity to sit down and talk Joe Friedrichs, the news director of WTIP radio in Grand Marais, MN.
This painting, entitled 'Artist Point - Grand Marais, MN', was created at noon.
While this painting, entitled 'Grand Marais, MN' was created at 3 o'clock. It is covered with ash that was falling while I was painting.
Below is a video that shows what transpired with the smoke and ash over Grand Marais.