2018 Arctic Circle Residency Expedition
In October, 2018, I was thrilled to have been selected out of hundreds of international artist applicants to attend the Arctic Circle Arts and Science Residency.
Traveling through Oslo, Norway to the island of Svalbard deep in the arctic circle, I spent just over two weeks aboard the barkentine tall ship Antigua, soaking up the frozen landscape and painting arctic-inspired abstracts. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Below I share some of my best snapshots from this epic adventure.
Would you like your own arctic-inspired abstract original painting? Email me for details and pricing!
The barkentine tall ship Antigua
Home to 28 artists-in-residence, 4 guides and 7 crew for just over 2 weeks of sailing the arctic circle.
The glacier at Esmarkbreen
Members of our group bask in the glory of our first glacier visit on the trip.
Glass-like seas at Hamnodden
You can just make out the surface ice starting to form on the glass-like seas we encountered at Hamnodden. This image is one of my favorites from the trip!
Listening to the glacier calving
In front of the glacier face near Borebukta. Moments after this snapshot, a large chunk of ice calved off the face, followed by ripples from the crash through the calm waters.
Iceberg formations with the setting arctic sun
Some cool iceberg formations in a little bay near Hamnodden with the "fire" of the circling/setting arctic sun.
Daily zodiac excursions to the shore or through fields of icebergs
Each day we'd typically have two "zodiac" outings to shore or to photograph ice and glaciers. This particularly snowy and serene day we floated silently amongst pancake ice near Fuglefjorden.
Glowing iceberg
We floated silently by this glowing iceberg near Recherchebreen - many of the clear icebergs looked like they were lit from within. These are many of the colors that inspire my new series of Arctic Abstracts.
Icy decks not very suitable for painting abstracts
My initial plan was to paint my abstracts on a table on the open deck of the Antigua, but the elements - snow, freezing temps and wind - made it nearly impossible after two failed painting attempts.
My makeshift studio aboard the Antigua
After failing to paint on the deck of the ship, I set up a mini, makeshift studio on my bunkbed in the shared cabin I had onboard.
Ymerbukta/Esmarkbreen glacier
Stunning glacier views near Ymerbukta from a mid-day hike up to the glacier edge. This was the first glacier I've ever touched!
Bone-chilling cold!
Can this normally hot-blooded artist actually get cold in the arctic? Yes! I'm glad I prepared lots of clothing and gear in layers, but still felt cold throughout the Expedition. This selfie was taken near Lilliehookbreen.
Iceberg formations near Recherchebreen
I was awestruck by all of the ice formations we found in calm bays - this spaceship-looking one near the glacier face.
Meanwhile in my mini "studio"...
I painted over 50 mini abstracts in my "studio" setup in my shared cabin on the ship.
Back in my Portland studio...
Arctic Abstracts for my Kickstarter Backers drying on my studio wall.
Painting larger Arctic Abstracts in my Portland studio
Arctic abstracts in progress on my studio table. I painted more than 20 larger Arctic Abstracts, all inspired by my Expedition, once back in my Portland studio for my Kickstarter Backers.
Arctic zodiac landing on my birthday - 10.10.2018
Arctic landing near Blomstrandbreen on my birthday... the captain lead a round of singing "Happy Birthday" to me as I departed on a zodiac and the crew surprised me with a birthday cake that evening.
Arctic sunset near Ny-London
A truly serene view of the tall ship Antigua at sunset near Ny-London.
Back in Longyearbyen
The Antigua docks back in Longyearbyen after an epic Expedition that I'll never forget!