Our trek through landscapes that inspired Canada's Tom Thomson and The Group of Seven

Setting up on the deck of a raccoon nursery a sunny, hot day in Seaforth, Nova Scotia.

We were invited to paint at Hope for Wildlife as part of their 2026 Open House. Hundreds of people attended. Hope for Wildlife is a wildlife rehabilitation and education organization. Medical personnel throughout the world visit and intern here to learn how to rescue injured wild animals, including owls, bobcats, deer, moose, turtles, geese, porcupines, raccoons, and more. The Open House raises funds to help operate the facility. Many volunteers help throughout the year.

We set up our plein air equipment on the deck beside the raccoon nursery. Throughout the day we heard the baby raccoons call out from their pens. 

The heat of the day required both of us to continually hydrate and take turns resting in the shade of some trees below.