In art historian Lisa Christensen鈥檚 fourth book, there are about 70 artworks and 27 different Rocky Mountain locations to be led to. | Supplied photo
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Gushing rivers, wild woodland and jagged peaks of the Rockies have long been scenes of inspiration for artists.
Art historian Lisa Christensen has spent 25 years trailing artists鈥� tracks to find the spots they created their works, and just released her fourth book to guide you there, too.
Truth and Beauty focuses on Walter Phillips, considered one of the most accomplished watercolour artists in Canada.
鈥淚t has been a joyous project,鈥� said Christensen.
鈥淚t was a gift to immerse myself in his work.鈥�
Christensen described Phillips鈥� paintings as 鈥減retty鈥� and 鈥済entle鈥�, and said the artist鈥檚 life mirrored his work.
鈥淭here wasn鈥檛 a breath of scandal,鈥� she said.
鈥淗e was a family man with a long marriage and he was kind, intelligent, eloquent - a beautiful writer.
鈥淚t was such a treat to take myself away from the world now where everybody seems to be pointing fingers and fighting with everyone and immerse myself in this man鈥檚 work and life and look at the landscapes through his life.鈥�
Phillips lived at Tunnel Mountain in Banff and painted much of the Rockies.
In Christensen鈥檚 book, there are about 70 artworks and 27 different locations to be led to.
She said most of the locations are front country and now accessible by car and gondola, like Sunshine Meadows, Johnston Canyon and Bow Falls.
鈥淭here鈥檚 enough information to get to the spot,鈥� Christensen said.
鈥淚 like to see how the land has changed or remained the same and see how accurate the artist was and what they saw.鈥�
Christensen is coming to Jasper on October 12 to give insights into artists鈥� painting locations in Jasper National Park.
She will talk about Phillips, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, and other artists who have painted in Jasper that she has featured in her books.
A SunDog shuttle will leave the Cultural Centre at 5 p.m. and Christensen will talk and point out locations as the bus heads to Sunwapta Falls.
Once there, Christensen will spend time outside with the guests, followed by dinner at 6 p.m., off the menu and paid by attendees.
After dinner, Christensen will show a video presentation about Phillips, leading into a presentation about other artists in the Rockies.
Tickets for the shuttle and evening with the author cost $30. Email [email protected] for more information.
