Algoma – Solemn Land 2021

In late September 2021, seven talented Canadian landscape painters travelled north to Ontario’s Algoma District for what would become a remarkable artistic triumph. Under the leadership of internationally acclaimed nature and conservation photographer Gary McGuffin, southern Ontario-based painters Peter Adams, James Aitken, Mark Berens, Jonathan Houghton, Paul Nabuurs, Andrew Peycha, and Peter Taylor explored the gorgeous Montreal River region from McGuffin’s ‘Four Way Lodge’, an iconic retreat ideal for contemplative, creative, kindred spirits.

Canada’s famed Group of Seven made similar treks into the Algoma wilderness between 1919 and 1923, a place where one can feel an intense, mystical connection to its eternal spirit that inspired ‘Solemn Land’ and other iconic Canadian landscape works.

The artists’ output during this wonderful six-day retreat is captured in remarkable detail through world-class McGuffin photography. Each of the six ‘Algoma’ title letters and the accompanying banner line are created from seven individual en plein air (‘in the open air’) pieces created on the beautiful River shores and nearby scenic vistas. Plein air painting allows its artists to leave their studios behind and immerse themselves in Nature – a landscape impressionist painting hallmark for over two centuries.

Aaron Alessandrini took his Solemn Land cover design inspirations from these beautiful pieces and accompanying McGuffin images capturing the artists working in real time as a stunning Algoma autumn cascaded around them. In subtle tribute to the artists’ collective talents, Aaron chose ‘Cosmic Latte’ for his background cover colour. In 2003, a team of astronomers had determined that this shade represented the colour of all light emitted across the entire universe – a fitting accompaniment for Algoma’s timeless, eternal landscape beauty.