Robert Genn 1936-2014

Robert Genn lecturing in theBugaboos

We have some sad news today. We have lost a great Canadian painter, writer and philosopher. Robert Genn not only created beautiful paintings, he also generously provided advice, encouragement and amusement through his Twice-Weekly Letters. He will be greatly missed.

With Bob's blessing, I did this portrait sketch from a photo I took during our Bugaboo 10 heli-painting trip.

When he saw the work in progress above (I never did get around to adding the detail I had in mind) his response was characteristically eloquent and funny:

OMG!  Quite a shock. I think you got me though. Lugubrious old fart. Getting ready to pontificate. Smug. Don’t do much to it. 

Bob

Robert Genn's daughter, Sara, is going to continue the twice-weekly letters, by publishing one of Bob's older missives along with a new one of her own every week.

Final Trip - Bugaboo Spire at Cobalt Lake

Cobalt Lake was the location we all longed to see and fortunately we did get a chance to take a look, which was absolutely wonderful!

In less snowy conditions, this lake is a gorgeous turquoise blue.

Liz Wiltzen - Multi-Talented Painter and Heli-Guide

Here is Liz protecting the cargo as the helicopter lifts off!

Bottom: Liz with Bob at dinner.

Robert Genn - Intrepid Plein Air Painter Extraordinaire

Top: Day 1, at Rocky Point

Middle and Bottom: Day 3, still smiling after the hail storm!

Day 3 - Rain, Wind, Snow and Hail!

Top: Our final painting site - at one point I was holding an umbrella with one hand and painting with the other in a vain attempt to keep the moisture off my oil paints!

(There is an image of another instance where an umbrella was necessary here.)

Bottom: Here is our crew, after a long day, having dinner at the lodge. The food was top notch, with the desserts being particularly decadent!

The Helicopter

Here you can see some of the gang - Dennis Fairbairn, Sharon Stone and Louise Swan are looking this way.

Middle Photo: Louise Swan and Don Hodgins enjoying the ride.

Lower Photos: Sally Pearson, who came the farthest for the workshop (from Florida) having a great time and Robert Genn walking away from our ride.

Heli-Painting in the Bugaboos with Robert Genn

I just returned from the trip of a lifetime, having traveled to heli-paint en plein air in the Bugaboo mountains with renowned Canadian artist and writer, Robert Genn and fabulous oil painter, Liz Wiltzen plus 9 other painters from Canada and the U.S.

This photo shows the breathtaking view from Rocky Point Basin. The beauty is absolutely overwhelming.

This turned out to be our most pleasant day, with the sun peeking through occasionally. Still, for anyone contemplating this experience, you really need a lot of clothing, as the temperature was pretty brisk!