Bella Lake is located just off Billie Bear Road, northeast of Huntsville, Ontario. Private lanes lead off the road to cottages near the water and offer such a wonderful chance to imagine what's at the other end.

My long-time friend, Mike Roth, has introduced me to this area which is near his cottage. Almost all of my Muskoka paintings result from visits to Mike and his bride, Melodie.

For other Rose Island paintings, see also Rocky Shore, Rose Island (image # P0175), Rock Patterns at Rose Island (image # 0318), Cottage on Rose Island (image # P0426) and Rock Patterns at Parry Sound (image # 0430)

For other Rose Island paintings, see also Rocky Shore, Rose Island (image # P0175), Rock Patterns at Rose Island (image # 0318), Dieter's and Irmagard's Cottage, Rose Island (image # 1234) and Rock Patterns at Parry Sound (image #0430)

The view across the vineyards overlooking Beamsville and out to Lake Ontario was a challenge both because of complexity and also because of size. I used the light effects to bring some drama to the piece without having it being about the illumination. The painting approximates the view from the living room of the house.

Standing at the top of a small ravine along the "bench" near Beamsville, Ontario, I survey a gently widening treed valley. I was brought here to paint a commission, not of this small gorge, but of a view that extends over the town and out to Lake Ontario. Often commissions bring me to places that I would never see and which make for great painting subjects.

The "bench" occupies a narrow strip of land with vineyards clinging to its slopes.

The rocks on the Bruce Trail present some difficulty for hikers. The trail running along the escarpment above Beamsville, Ontario offers a chance to pause and think. It seems to be another world.

For other Rose Island paintings, see also Rocky Shore, Rose Island (image # P0175), Cottage on Rose Island (image # P0426), Dieter's and Irmagard's Cottage, Rose Island (image # 1234) and Rock Patterns at Parry Sound (image # 0430)

Muskoka, near Algonquin Park, Ontario