My second voyage with Quark Expeditions has begun and with a truly international crowd. The passengers come from 23 different countries! I love hearing so many languages and am particularly delighted by the francophone folks on board. It’s great fun to use my French and to learn new vocabulary (such as for “life jacket” and “penguin.”) There are also some avid sketchers on board and which is inspiring and invigorating for me.

After an incredibly smooth Drake Passage (a relief), we arrived to the Antarctic Peninsula and spent time at Danco Island and Wilhemina Bay, both regions surrounded by glaciers and full of icebergs. We were encompassed in soft light of alto stratus clouds that came and went throughout the day. I love the warm and cool greys and feel calm with the simple shapes and forms that emerge. With my paintings, I’m experimenting more with an initial warm wash (Daniel Smith buff titanium with a touch of warm or cool yellow) and then adding my greys mixed with alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, blues, and burnt umber on top. I’m building my “palette of place.” Today on the Peninsula, I had ample opportunity to further explore shades of grey with chilly drizzle, wind, and rain. In spite of the weather, there has been great cheer on board. Meanwhile I’m doing a dance for the sun.