Description
24 x 36 oil on canvas
Some photographs stay with you. This was one of them.
When local photographer David Moon shared this spectacular image from Kennisis Lake on Facebook, I immediately knew I wanted to paint it. The challenge was its scale. The enormous curtain of water demanded a large canvas, and for a long time I hesitated, wondering if I could do the photograph justice. Eventually I decided there was only one way to find out—paint it.
What captivated me was not only the skill of the skier, but David’s remarkable ability to capture a split second that would otherwise disappear forever. The skier seems suspended between power and balance while a towering wall of water erupts behind, transforming an everyday summer scene into something almost monumental.
Rather than simply reproduce the photograph, I chose to push the colour beyond reality. Rich blues, violets, and luminous whites heighten the drama of the spray, emphasizing the energy and exhilaration of the moment. At 24 × 36 inches, the larger format allowed the movement of the water to become the true subject of the painting.
Before beginning, I contacted David to ask permission to use his photograph. His enthusiastic response gave me the confidence to proceed, and I hope he has the opportunity to see how his extraordinary photograph inspired this interpretation on canvas.
This painting is my celebration of a perfect summer moment on Kennisis Lake—where speed, water, light, and timing came together for an instant that deserved to last a little longer.
