While on the Canada C3 Voyage, we woke up on the ice breaker vessel close to Skidegate, Haida Gwaii. I grabbed a coffee and went out on the lower deck of the ship to take in this breathtaking sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. We were in this protected cove surrounded by dark treed islands. It was a very peaceful and special welcoming, as was our first day at the Haida Heritage Centre.

After an epic week of learning about reconciliation, environmental stewardship, history, and youth engagement from communities on Haida Gwaii, I felt inspired to start this painting about our introduction to the Haida Nation. I set up in the ship’s upper hangar as we left the islands to cross back over the open ocean to the west coast of Canada. We had some rough sailing and many people on the ship were sea sick. I was glad to have this painting to focus on and did some ‘extreme’ painting with modelling clay during the rough journey.

This painting is now available through the Pacific Arts Market online store:

https://www.pacificartsmarket.ca/online-store/Dee-Bailey-c52739010

@Pacificartsmarket