The Backstory: When his overturned canoe was found floating on the lake, one of the two paddles he carried was lashed to the thwarts for portaging...the other paddle was missing and never found despite a thorough search for weeks after. Wood paddles float so finding it shouldn't have been much a challenge according to search parties. When Thomson's body was discovered some distance away, a large wound was found on the side of his head while his left ankle reportedly had 17 wraps of fishing line tied in a very deliberate fashion. All this created the suspicion of the paddle used as a murder weapon thereby adding to the mystery.
K Ohlke's Thomson Inspired Paddle
Closeup of the copper wrapping
Thomson was famous for capturing scenes of the Canadian landscape, especially rugged depictions of coniferous trees, like pines. Katie's other paddle showcases these majestic trees with the crown of the tree carved from the blade. There's just enough bend in the shaft to evoke the natural growth of shoreline trees and give an otherwise static paddle the illusion of life...
K. Ohlke's Pine Paddle
In addition to these paddles, Katie has done some marvelous painting inspired by historic photos. This photo, one of the few showing any details of Thomson's personal canoe (assumed to be a Chestnut Cruiser dating from before the 1921 Chestnut Factory fire ), is one of my personal favourites. Here's Thomson setting off for a journey into the bush....
Here is Katie's wonderful modern day interpretation entitled Day Trip from Artists Camp...
For more info on these and other works by Katie Ohlke, check out Stone Ridge Art Studio and her Facebook page
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2 comments:
Katie's art is Canadiana at it's best!
Great post....
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