I’m longing for warmer weather and being out on the lake, but it’s still March as I post this, so it’ll be a while yet. I’ll have to be content with painting it.
It is very satisfying, I admit, remembering zooming along in the motorboat that early summer day, with the wind in my hair and the warm rays of the sun. Those are the days my friend!
My family spent many summers on this lake when I was a young teen and as a young mom with my own children. It’s still one of my favorite lakes to be on.
There are the sandy beaches, and then there are the rocky ones like this one—where the mighty Lake Huron kisses and slaps the northern shores of Manitoulin Island.
I think both are beautiful!
(though the sandy ones are a heck of lot easier to walk on!)
So many times, an artist has to take the inspiration that nature provides and translate that experience into a pleasing design. In this case, Mother Nature did most of that design work for me, piling the rocks and stones in a pretty pile. The challenge for me was just to paint it!
Rock ‘n Roll Shoreline, 20″ x 24″ acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
I am a Rock – 2, 12′ x 12″ acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped canvas by Cornelia Svela
I get cold just looking at this picture! I’m looking forward to painting the next one in the series which will be set in summer!
This is the second painting in a series featuring the rock off of the Spruce Beach in my hometown of Elliot Lake. Usually, the lake is frozen solid, and ski doos are whipping across the lake, as well as cross-country skiers and ice fishermen. Not this year. 2024 marks the first year in many where the winter has been unusually mild.
“Rock Me, Baby” 24 x 24 acrylic painting on gallery canvas by Cornelia Svela
The sound of the waves hitting the shore so softly and gently could just rock you to sleep...
This painting conjures up a lot of good feelings!
It’s inspired by a photo I took on the evening of our arrival at a cute bunkie we were staying at on Manitoulin Island. I had booked it to celebrate my birthday with a romantic getaway with my husband. It was all that and more!
A HUGE thunderstorm rolled in later that night!!!
It felt like the bunkie was going to rip apart. The rain and high winds pounded us all night long. We were sleeping in a loft and the tree branches knocked on the roof giving us little sleep. The rain and fog continued into the next day, so we didn’t see as much of the island as we would have wanted.
I’m excited to announce that this painting is destined for my first solo art exhibition to be held at TVM Gallery in Blind River, Ontario. My show titled: “Roots, Rocks, and Reflections”, will run from May 15 to Canada Day, 2024, so mark your calendars, friends! I’d love to hear from you if you visit the gallery and view my artwork on display.
The Elliot Lake rock off of Spruce Beach in my hometown of Elliot Lake, Ontario, has become an icon for the city. Anyone who has grown up in this mining town will know it well since Spruce Beach was one of the major hangouts on a hot summer’s day.
I still make a point of swimming out to the rock every summer. An achievement I continue to be proud to check off! The rock is beyond the area patrolled by the lifeguards so there are warnings that to swim there—you do so at your own risk!
Since the famous rock has been photographed, painted, and graphically stylized countless times, it was not a priority of mine until I was approached by a fellow Elliot Laker to take that on. They were looking for something different!
I’m very happy with the result!
This particular painting is a fall image. There will be 4 more paintings added to this series…
winter, summer, and spring, plus a wide landscape image including the beach itself in the foreground.
So stay tuned! This is only the beginning!
There are several options if you are interested in purchasing:
1.) The original canvas is available for purchase (12″ x 12″)
2.) It is also available as a framed print under glass with a 3″ white mat board and a black wood frame – finished size 19″ x 19″,
3.) A mounted canvas reproduction (12″ x 12″), with or without a recessed wood black frame (13″ x 13″).
These adorable mugs feature Elliot the Bear, the sweet black bear peaking out from behind a tree seen on one of my banner designs hanging from several lamp posts along the downtown streets of Elliot Lake and along the highway. Each mug makes a great souvenir or gift.
Only $20 each. Contact me via email at studio@corneliasvela.com
There are 2 designs. Mug #1 features the bear on both sides. Mug #2 includes the following text:
Notecards!
Order these attractive blank notecards, handy for everything from a personal thank you note to birthday greetings. A nice gift idea as well!
$4 each or 3 for $10.00 Add $2 to cover mailing costs. Contact Cornelia at studio@corneliasvela.com with your request today! More designs now available.
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