Evening on Canoe Lake

Composition 1111
2024
Wood panel, canvas, acrylic paint, ChromaLife100+ ink, paper 
36 inches diameter
Approximately 7,416  paper pieces 

The concentric circles of Evening on Canoe Lake, Composition 1111 by
Lesley Luce pay homage to Algonquin Park’s rich natural and artistic heritage. This meticulously handcrafted piece, 36 inches in diameter, incorporates fragments of birch bark collected by the artist on Canoe Lake and pieces of her own canoe route map, embedding the work with personal ties to the land that inspired it.

The act of creating this piece was one of quiet focus, where the repetitive layering of patterns and details became a meditative practice. The composition features profiles of Algonquin Park’s lakes, camping icons, historic photographs, and details inspired by the Group of Seven—most notably Tom Thomson’s oil painting Evening, Canoe Lake, Winter (1915). Shades of purple and green dominate the palette, evoking the park’s tranquil yet dynamic spirit.

From afar, the abstract structure draws the viewer in, while closer inspection reveals intricate details that echo the wilderness and adventures of Algonquin Park and it’s enduring influence of Canada’s artistic identity. This work bridges the past and present, inviting viewers to reflect on the timeless connection between art, nature, and mindfulness.