In my last post, Crossing Western Labrador on the Trans-Labrador Highway, I shared the start of our early spring journey through the vastness of Labrador.

Before continuing east from Churchill Falls, I'd like to share this short video of the magnificent canyon on the Churchill River. Although most of the river has been diverted through the underground hydroelectric generating station, the remaining falls are still beautiful, and the rugged landscape is breathtaking.

Click the image below, turn up your speakers, and enjoy a few minutes of Labrador's spectacular scenery.

After soaking in the beauty of Churchill Falls, it was time to continue east.

HAPPY VALLEY GOOSE BAY

We had an easy three-hour drive on good pavement to Happy Valley Goose Bay and settled in for three nights at Gosling Lake Campground with full services. 

Of course my husband soon found his happy place… helping a fellow Airstreamer fix his heat pump and entry door latch.

Happy Valley Goose Bay is Labrador's largest town, with about 8,000 residents, and has modern services, stores, and restaurants. Goose Bay is home to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Goose Bay, while Happy Valley is the neighbouring civilian community.

We enjoyed our stay, but I still hadn't experienced the authentic Labrador I had been hoping to find. Having toured Newfoundland twice, we'd fallen in love with its unique stories, music, humour, and the resilience of people whose families had lived there for generations. We expected to find something similar in Labrador.

All the towns we had visited since crossing the border were established relatively recently, and, being so far inland, had no historical connection to the fishing industry that had shaped coastal culture so profoundly.

Many of the people we met working in cafés, grocery stores and gas stations were friendly Filipinos. We learned this reflects longstanding labour shortages, with Labrador communities recruiting overseas workers for decades to fill essential roles in healthcare, retail, trades and other services.

Our first glimpse of the Labrador I'd been hoping to experience came during a side trip to North West River and the Labrador Heritage Museum. It was housed in the former Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) store that is pictured here.

Inside was an impressive collection of artifacts from the 1800s and 1900s, including beautifully preserved coats once worn by Indigenous peoples and fur trappers.

Our docent, a former mayor, told us an amazing story. Donald Smith established this HBC post in 1852 and spent 21 years in Labrador trading furs, salmon, sealskins and seal oil while also farming and building roads. He later became Lord Strathcona and drove the ceremonial Last Spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. I was amazed to learn that such an important figure in Canadian history began his career here in Labrador.

THE LONG DRIVE TO RED BAY

Before heading southeast to take Hwy 510 towards the coast, we made sure to have a spare 20 litre (5 US gallon) gas can on board. After filling up at North West Arm, our next fuel stop would be about 550 km (340 miles) away at Port Hope Simpson.

For seven hours we drove through eastern Labrador, passing endless forests, hills, rivers, and lakes. Hour after hour we watched the gas gauge creep lower. Eventually the truck stopped estimating our remaining range altogether and simply displayed: "LOW".

I breathed a sigh of relief as we crested a hill at Port Hope Simpson and the gas station came into view.

We pumped 88 litres (23 US gallons) into our 90.8-litre (24 US gallon) tank. We had arrived with less than three litres remaining, plus our untouched emergency can.

We continued south on Hwy 510 over higher elevations and encountered snow, sleet, rain, wind, and sunshine. Ninety minutes later we reached the windswept coast and the charming UNESCO World Heritage Site of Red Bay. Best of all, a huge iceberg was grounded just offshore!

I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter of my travel story. Please click the Leave a Comment button at the top of this post to share your thoughts.

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I have been proudly represented by Meta4 Contemporary Craft Gallery in Port Perry, Ontario since they opened their storefront in a historic building in 2005.

Over the past 21 years, it has been a pleasure to work with this wonderful gallery team, who have built Ontario's premier destination for fine craft, original art, and studio programs, featuring the work of more than 100 talented Ontario artists.

I am honoured to have been selected as Meta4's Featured Artist for August. Throughout the month, visitors can enjoy 10% savings on all of my artwork currently on display at the 200 Queen Street location.

This photo, taken inside the gallery, shows me holding my painting Love Changes Everything (varnished watercolour on 24 x 24 inch panel), the largest work in my August feature, valued at $2,900.

Recently, this painting of a delicate dragonfly resting on colourful beach pebbles won Third Place in the Animal & Wildlife category of the 7th Annual Women in Watercolor International Juried Competition. Read about that exciting win here.

This collection of miniature landscape paintings is also included in the August sale. Each varnished painting is mounted on a wood panel and can stand on a shelf or hang on a wall.

Top left: Evening Magic, 5 x 5 inches, $130
Bottom left: Finding Peace, 5 x 5 inches, $130
Centre: Quiet Majesty, 6-inch diameter, $200
Top right: Lake Magic, 5 x 5 inches, $130
Bottom right: Summer Magic, 5 x 5 inches, $130

Here are the other paintings featured at Meta4 Gallery. (To see framed views and more details, click on each image.) 

Close to My Heart

Varnished watercolour on 12 x 9 inch panel

Value: $650.

I love exploring pristine northern wilderness, and those restorative moments inspire my work. A secluded island drifts through mist beneath a sky filled with countless stars, inviting stillness, reflection, and wonder. 

Living the Dream

Varnished watercolour on 12 x 12 inch panel

Value: $950.

My ideal life includes quiet moments beside northern lakes, taking in the splendour of the seasons. Places like this, where I slow down and reconnect with nature, replenish my soul.

Witnessing Wonder

Varnished watercolour on 12 x 9 inch panel

Value: $650.

During a visit to Churchill, Manitoba to see polar bears, I was fortunate to witness spectacular northern lights on three occasions, each displaying different colours. This painting celebrates those unforgettable memories with prismatic aurora dancing across the night sky.

Silent Fire

Varnished watercolour on 10 x 10 inch panel

Value: $600.

Nothing compares to seeing the aurora in person, as luminous ribbons drift across the night sky like vast curtains of silent fire. In this imagined scene, their brilliant colours ignite a frozen river.

Canada Rocks! #5

Varnished watercolour on 6 x 12 inch panel

Value: $500.

My husband and I have explored every province and territory in Canada, collecting beautiful stones along the way. Those warm-hued pebbles inspired this rustic Canadian flag.

Port Perry is a wonderful day-trip destination, with charming shops, excellent dining, and a scenic waterfront along Lake Scugog. If you're visiting in August, I hope you'll stop by Meta4 Gallery to see my Feature Artist collection and experience the beauty of handmade Ontario art.

I'd love to hear from you. Please click the Leave a Comment button at the top of this post to share your thoughts or ask a question.

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Summer has arrived in full force, bringing some wonderful news from the art world.

Today I learned that three of my paintings received awards in the 7th Annual Women in Watercolor International Juried Competition. It is an honour I never imagined and one that still feels almost unbelievable.

This year's competition attracted 1,750 submissions from artists in 59 countries. Only 254 paintings were accepted into the exhibition, making these awards especially significant.

My winning paintings are shown below.

Love Changes Everything
Varnished watercolour on 24 × 24 inch panel
Currently available at Meta4 Gallery, Port Perry, Ontario

Simply Amaizing
Watercolour, 21 × 14 inches
Private collection

And Nothing Else Matters
Varnished watercolour on 16 × 20 inch panel
Private collection

Receiving recognition in three different categories made the news especially noteworthy, as it reflects the diversity of subjects that have inspired my work, and acknowledges technical skills honed over decades of practice.

If you browse this year's award-winning paintings, you'll quickly see the extraordinary level of creativity and technical skill on display. Seeing my work recognized alongside so many exceptional artists from around the world makes these honours even more meaningful. Click here to view all the winning paintings. 

I am grateful to Women in Watercolor, an organization founded in 2020 to encourage, support and promote women watercolour artists around the world through international exhibitions and competitions. They awarded me Signature Member status in 2023. My sincere thanks also go to the nine international judges whose expertise made these awards possible.

After decades of navigating the ups and downs of an artist's life, moments like this still fill me with the same excitement I felt as a child. I never take them for granted. Sometimes I simply have to stop and think, "Pinch me, somebody!"

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please click Leave a Comment at the top of this post and let me know which painting is your favourite.

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This week I was thrilled to learn that the largest landscape painting I ever have created has been accepted into the 58th National Juried Exhibition of the Society of Canadian Artists.

I Think I Found One, a varnished watercolour on a 28 × 40 inch panel (pictured above), is one of only 91 paintings selected for the exhibition. The jurors chose these works from 554 submissions by 223 Society of Canadian Artists members from across Canada.

The theme of this year's exhibition was Home, and this is the story that accompanied my entry:

"Home is more than a house. It is a place that shapes who we are. This large watercolour of my husband on Pebble Beach along Lake Superior near Marathon, Ontario celebrates my love of travelling and exploring with him, my fascination with the timeless beauty of stones, and my lifelong connection to the Canadian Shield. While growing up in northern Ontario, I learned to love this rugged landscape. Whenever I return to the shores of Lake Superior, I feel a profound sense of belonging. It is, and always will be, home."

To have my work included in this prestigious exhibition is truly an honour. I send warm congratulations to my fellow SCA members whose beautiful paintings and sculptures were also selected. I invite you to explore the exhibition online from July 17 to August 31, 2026 at Society of Canadian Artists 58th Juried Exhibition.

The SCA was founded in 1968 and is a respected national organization that promotes excellence in Canadian visual art through juried exhibitions and professional membership. I achieved elected member status in 2025.

Crossing into Labrador felt like entering another world. Ahead of us lay more than 1,100 kilometres of wilderness, where black spruce forests, rocky rivers, and endless lakes stretched to the horizon. It was time to experience the legendary Trans-Labrador Highway.

In my last post, Our Labrador Adventure Caravan Begins!, I described the start of our Expedition 51° Airstream camping tour that took us through the wilderness of northeastern Canada this spring. 

That post ended at the Labrador border, after two challenging days on a mix of gravel and paved roads in the mountains of northern Quebec.

CROSSING LABRADOR

The next leg of our journey took us across the immensity of Labrador from west to east, along Hwy 500 and Hwy 510, collectively known as the Trans-Labrador Highway.

Labrador City and the adjacent town of Wabush were built in the 1950's and 60's as work camps for nearby iron ore mines. Serving a population of about 9,000 is a Walmart and our two favourite stores (Canadian Tire + Marks), as well as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and a pharmacy.

We had stayed in Lab City in the winter of 2016, for a fantastic snowmobile trip, and we were looking forward to feasting on the legendary seafood chowder served at the Two Seasons Inn (named after Winter and Last Winter).

Sadly, the restaurant had run out of chowder earlier that day. Hopefully we will enjoy some on our way back to Quebec next month.

After our overnight stay with full utility hookups in Lab City, we topped up on propane, gas, and fresh water, and headed east towards Churchill Falls, about three hours away. 

The route was hilly and the road curved through wetlands and forests, around ice-crusted lakes, and over countless rocky streams.

The scenery reminded me of Ontario's northernmost routes. Early spring meant colours were understated: dull evergreens, pale granite, bronze shrubs, and lingering patches of snow. I found myself mentally mixing paint colours as we travelled.

The Trans-Labrador Highway is a remarkably recent achievement. Construction began in the early 1980s and wasn't completed until 2009. Between 2015 and 2022, the remaining gravel sections were paved, creating today's smooth, modern route stretching 1,149 km (714 miles) across Labrador.

With so little traffic, it often felt as though we had the entire highway to ourselves.

We often saw evidence of extensive forest fires from previous years.

Charred black spruce tree trunks still stood on boulder-strewn hillsides; the turf had been burned away, revealing the rocky skeleton of this land.

CHURCHILL FALLS

Churchill Falls is a tiny, modern company town of 700 people, established in 1967 to support the build and operation of the huge hydro-electric generating station there. 

The powerhouse of the station is located roughly 300 meters (about 900 to 1,000 feet) below the ground. It is carved out of solid granite and is considered one of the largest underground hydro-electric facilities in the world.

We parked overnight for free beside the municipal arena and enjoyed dinner at the only restaurant, which was in a multi-purpose indoor town complex. The building also housed the pool and fitness centre, municipal offices, school, library, hotel, and grocery store.

We drove up to see the earthen dam above the town site. Standing atop the dike, it was almost impossible to comprehend the scale of the Smallwood Reservoir.

Instead of using a single large dam, the reservoir relies on a massive network of 88 dikes to contain the water. 

The Smallwood Reservoir spans an immense surface area of 6,527 km² (2,520 square miles), making it the fifth-largest reservoir in the world by surface area.

Below the dike, we hiked along the shore of the Churchill River to see Hamilton Falls (pictured here), which is 75 metres (245 feet) tall. With much of the water flow diverted to feed the turbines of the power station, this section of the river is almost dry.

Observing how the river had carved a path through solid bedrock over millions of years was fascinating. 

Imagine the power of the Churchill in its unfettered heyday, especially during spring runoff. It must have been incredible to witness!

In this view, the brink of Hamilton Falls is shown in the lower left, and beyond it is the canyon carved by the river. The Churchill River is 856 km (532 miles) long, making it the longest river in Atlantic Canada.

Labrador is not a place of dramatic tourist attractions every few kilometres. Its beauty lies in its vastness, solitude, and rugged resilience. As we travelled through this immense landscape, I gained a deeper appreciation for just how wild and untouched much of Canada still is.

We spent a cold, rainy night sheltered in our cozy Airstream cocoon, before travelling three hours eastward to Happy Valley Goose Bay, following the immense Churchill River valley much of the way. Our next day's drive across eastern Labrador would become the most anxious stretch of the entire crossing, when our fuel gauge dropped lower and lower with no service station in sight. I'll share that tale in my next post.

I'd love to hear what you think of my travel story. Please click the Leave a Comment button at the top of this post to share your thoughts.

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Early this spring, my husband and I joined five other couples, each towing an Airstream travel trailer, on a grand adventure to the wilds of northeastern Canada.

Our route would follow the famous route called Expedition 51°, which is pictured in the first two photos of this post.

We timed our trip to be early enough to avoid black fly season and forest fires, and to see some spring icebergs, but late enough that night time temperatures would be above freezing and gravel roads would have firmed up after spring thaw.

THE ROUTE:

This is a remote 1,700-kilometer (1,050-mile) road trip and tourist route that takes drivers through some of the most rugged and remote wilderness in Quebec and Labrador.

The epic loop spans from Baie-Comeau, Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River, up through Fermont, and traverses Labrador from west to east along the Trans-Labrador Highway before ending near Blanc-Sablon on the Lower North Shore, overlooking the Strait of Belle Isle and the island of Newfoundland.

The route features a mix of raw boreal forests, untamed rivers, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and remote coastal villages. 

Because of the vast distances between amenities (up to 400 km or 250 miles between gas stations), travelers are advised to heavily prepare with spare tires, emergency supplies, and satellite phones.

Ten percent of the journey is on gravel roads, all of which lie between Baie-Comeau and Labrador City.

GETTING THERE:

First of all, our group had to get from Ontario to Baie-Comeau. On May 18 we set off on an easy 1,300 km (800 mile) journey that we spread out over the course of a week.

We enjoyed visiting Peterborough, Montebello, Trois Rivieres, and Tadoussac along the way.

After crossing the Saguenay River by ferry at Tadoussac, we camped in a beautiful spot overlooking the river (shown here), and enjoyed a whale watching cruise.

The north shore of the St. Lawrence River is gorgeous and the curvy highway swoops over and around rugged, rocky hills.

One afternoon, we took a side trip in our truck up along the Saguenay River and really enjoyed seeing the Laurentian Mountains in their spring finery (pictured here).

THE EXPEDITION:

We headed north from Baie-Comeau on Hwy 389, into the wilds of northern Quebec, passing several hydro-electric projects including Manic 5. This photo of our truck and trailer approaching the famous structure, the world's highest multiple-arch-and-buttress dam, was taken by a friend on the caravan. 

Standing 214 meters (703 feet) tall and stretching 1,314 meters (4,311 feet) long, the colossal engineering marvel creates a massive reservoir inside a 214-million-year-old meteorite impact crater.

As we crossed the Hart-Jaune River, I took this photo from the truck. We saw countless lakes, rivers, rapids, and waterfalls during our trip.

Seeing these water systems made me realize the Canadian Shield is a massive, impermeable rainwater collector, funneling water toward the oceans. It is easy to understand why northern Quebec and Labrador have so many hydro-electric dams.

On Hwy 389, which is a mix of paved and gravel sections 565 kilometers (352 miles) long, there were no campgrounds in which to stay. 

Shown here is our group parked for the night at a truck stop called Relais Gabriel, near the half way point.

Being without utility connections or cell service, but with full fresh water tanks, propane tanks, and batteries, we all spent a comfortable night. Our Starlink Wi-Fi service was invaluable - providing internet access to upload my photos to secure cloud storage, work on emails, and watch our favourite YouTube channels. This was the first of many cozy 'boon-docking' experiences on this trip. 

At the end of the second day of travel on Hwy 389, we were excited to reach the Quebec/Labrador border, where the Trans Labrador highway begins. The sign reads "Welcome to the Big Land".

Even though we drove carefully at 35 to 50 kph (20 to 30 mph) on the 150 km (95 mile) long gravel sections of Hwy 389, we still had some wear and tear to repair on the Airstream when we reached Labrador City. My husband refastened our under mount kitchen sink to the countertop, re-secured our microwave oven into its cabinet, and reattached our lower kitchen cupboard to the wall. We were all set for the road again!

Stay tuned for the next phase of our adventure as we journey across the vastness of Labrador and witness the unique beauty of The Big Land.

I'd love to hear what you think of my travel story. Please click the Leave a Comment button at the top of this post to share your thoughts.

If you would like exclusive early access to new paintings, studio updates, travel tales, watercolour tips, and notice of upcoming exhibitions, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter.

This spring, I was thrilled to learn that two of my watercolour paintings featuring rocky subjects were selected as Finalists in two separate Richeson75 International Art Competitions.

Each of these prestigious competitions typically attracts entries from more than 3,500 artists representing over 70 countries. To have my paintings that were inspired by my country's iconic Canadian Shield selected by the jurors is an incredible honour.

My stone circle painting, We Are All Connected (varnished watercolour on a 24 × 24-inch panel), shown here, was chosen as one of only 75 Finalists in the Still Life & Floral competition held in April. The Finalists' and Winners' paintings are now on permanent online display here. There are some truly outstanding works in the exhibition, so I encourage you to have a look!

Then, in May, The Windy Shore (varnished watercolour on a 20 × 16-inch panel) was selected as one of 75 Finalists in the Richeson75 Landscapes, Seascapes & Architecture competition. This impressive online exhibition will open on July 3 and will remain permanently available to view here.

Artists selected for these two competitions come from Canada, the United States, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, England, New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia and China. It is both humbling and rewarding to have my work exhibited alongside so many exceptional artists from around the world.

I'd love to hear what you think. Please click the Leave a Comment button at the top of this post to share your thoughts.

If you would like exclusive early access to new paintings, studio updates, travel stories, watercolour tips, and notice of upcoming exhibitions, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter.

Paint Ontario is one of the province’s most celebrated art events, and this spring it returns to Grand Bend with a stunning collection of representational painting and sculpture inspired by life in Ontario. For over 30 years, the show has drawn artists and art lovers from across the province to the shores of Lake Huron for three weeks of exceptional art, learning, and community. 

This year is especially exciting for me: it’s my first time entering Paint Ontario, and I’m thrilled to have all three paintings accepted into the exhibition (pictured below, thanks to my friend Patti Burke who attended the show on opening day). Artists from across the province submitted 632 artworks into the competition, and only 264 pieces were accepted.

These juried paintings and sculptures are beautifully displayed in a transformed gallery space at the Grand Bend Legion Community Hall. Major awards were announced at the Opening Night Gala on May 1, with the Exhibition and Sale running from May 2–17. Along the way, visitors can enjoy on-site art demonstrations and special events that make each visit unique.

You don’t need to be a collector to enjoy Paint Ontario, just an admirer of beautiful art. The collection celebrates everyday moments and familiar scenes capturing the rich diversity of our province.

Best of all, supporting Paint Ontario means supporting the arts right in the community. Proceeds help fund local music programs, youth art camps, pottery facilities, and other cultural initiatives through the Grand Bend Art Centre.

Spring feels like the perfect time to slow down, be inspired, and experience something beautiful. Paint Ontario offers all of that and more. I hope you’ll make the trip to Grand Bend and enjoy the show with fresh eyes and an open heart.

Click here for more Paint Ontario 2026 details.

Your comments are welcome; please use the 'Leave a Comment' button at the top of this post. 

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I’m excited to share a recent win from the studio. Here’s the note I received from the Society of Canadian Artists:

"Dear Karen Richardson,
Congratulations! On behalf of the SCA, it is our pleasure to inform you that your artwork Starting Over has been successfully juried into the SCA 2026 Open International Online Juried Exhibition."

Here are a few quick details about this show that made my acceptance feel extra special:
•    14 countries represented
•    1,180 artworks submitted
•    180 works selected (about 15%)
•    $14,000 in prize money awarded

Having Starting Over included in this renowned juried exhibition feels both thrilling and deeply affirming. I congratulate all the amazing artists who have work in the show. You can view the full online exhibition until May 15 here: SCA 2026 Open International Online Juried Exhibition.

Ironically, this 12 x 9 inch painting sat half-finished in a studio drawer for five years. Finding it again was the nudge I needed to either finish it or finally let it go.

View the behind-the-scenes-story of how I brought it back to life here: The Painting That Took 5 Years to Finish. It's a lesson in patience and tenacity for us all. Sometimes we just need time to ponder our options and come up with a new way forward. 

Feel free to click on “Leave a Comment” at the top of this post. I read every note.

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