Yak

2017 will mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Canadian Artist, Tom Thomson on Algonquin Park's Canoe Lake. As part of the centennial events, Algonquin Outfitters is running a Paddle Art Contest. A modest $25 entry fee gets you unfinished paddle (or rough paddle blank) to decorate how you chose. Completed paddles must be received by August 31, 2017. An online and live auction will be held in September 2017 to determine the winners with proceeds going to various community organizations in the Algonquin Park Area.

Here's a shot of Bob Timberlake's 1993 painting entitled Indian Summer which features a bark canoe, pack basket, and green painted paddle.


Indian Summer
1993


Paddle Closeup
Description from his site...

Indian Summer was painted at Bob's new studio at the rock wall to the right of the guesthouse. The term "Indian Summer" refers to the mild, warm, hazy days of autumn that usually occur before the chilling frosts arrive. The birchbark canoe is just one of Bob's large collection of canoes and boats which is said to be one of the finest in the Southeast.

The paddle in the painting looks similar to this antique Maine paddle posted back in 2008. Not only did he capture the general shape of the grip, blade and spine, but even the weathering of the paint is visible in the artwork.


Antique Paddle from the Cherry Gallery