It’s hard to ignore the beauty of Iceland when half of the internets beautiful imagery is tagged with an unpronounceable but lovely Icelandic word. Thats why, when we saw a two week gap in our calendar we knew it was time to see its unique landscapes through our own eyes and camera lenses.

Glacier Lagoon, South Iceland. Lagoon Car Rental were kind enough to get us on the road with one of their new rentals, a golden Kia which camouflaged perfectly into the fall landscape of orange and yellow leaves. If anyone is heading to Iceland, I can’t recommend them enough. Its one of those countries that you just need to hire a car. All the beautiful sites are linked through scenic drives that you want to navigate in your own time. Theres nothing quite like a road trip, especially in one of the most scenic places in the world.
We landed in Iceland just as the sun was rising which lit the sky up all around the barren volcanic landscape. Little did we know this was one of the few times we were going to see the sun in two weeks as the country prepared for the wettest October in over 30 years. Somehow it didn’t take away from any of the beauty we were about to see.

Myvatn, North Iceland.

Near Vik, South Iceland.

Vatnajokull National Park, South Iceland.

Dancing on the viking beaches, South Iceland.

Iceland is one of the easiest counties to navigate. The small island is connected by one major ring road that leads you around the coast of the island. The hardest part is deciding in which direction to travel. We were lucky enough to have two weeks to explore but it is possible to drive the ring road in as little as 7 days if you are pushed for time. It’s worth noting that Iceland’s population is only just over 300,000, most of which makes up the main city of Reykjavik. Once your outside the capital city, you’re pretty much on your own apart from the touristy car parks along the way. Although theres plenty to see off the main road, like jaw-dropping waterfalls every 100m, make sure you venture off onto the side roads leading you to different Fjords, towns and peninsulas.

Waterfall highlights:

Skógafoss (on the Skoga River) South Iceland.

Godafoss (waterfall of the gods) North Iceland.

Kirkjufellsfoss, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland.

Iceland is full of the most stunning visual contrasts and natural phenomena. It’s hard to believe that such a tiny island can offer to much variety in the landscape from the thundering waterfalls to the steaming thermal vents and geysers. There is so much to learn about the geology as nature performs around you. We were so lucky through all the rain and clouds to get one clear night to witness the amazing Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. To lie back and watch the lights dance around the sky is something I will never forget.

Thermal Area, Myvatn, North Iceland.

Black Sand Beaches, South Iceland.

Northern Lights, Myvatn, North Iceland.

Happy to finish these three sisters, Maiya (eagle), Eiva (owl) and Aeyla (swan).
Watercolour and Graphite on Arches Hot Press Paper.

There’s one thing more amazing than hiking to the top of a mountain… sleeping on top of a mountain. The past few weekends we have been getting out into Kananaskis Country, just an hours drive from Calgary. Kananaskis is one of my favourite areas in the Rocky Mountains. Once you get above the tree line the sea of mountains carries your eye forever into the distance. We have been starting our hikes late, with our tents and sleeping bags on our back making the most of the long summer nights and beautiful golden light. Waking up at 4.30 on these mornings is like waiting for a polaroid photo to develop. Light creeps in through the darkness and exposes some of the best sunrise views I have ever and will ever see. Theres nothing more beautiful than a sunrise from a summit, then drinking a warm coffee and heading down a mountain before the sleepy world has begun its day.

It’s so hard to draw in this country. With the mountains being so close and so beautiful any spare time we have we are out hiking and camping. Last week I was thankful for all the rain as it let me replace my camera for my pencils and make some new work.
This is Maiya, the eagle lady – first in a series of bird ladies.

Today has marked a month living back in Alberta. The Rocky Mountains welcomed us home with beautiful June weather and even brought in some good friends from around the world to hike with. Its been amazing exploring the peaks and lakes of this amazing area again and feeling the energy of the mountains around us.
Growing up next to the ocean I’ve always felt at home in the sea but theres something so powerful about the mountains that keeps pulling me back. Victoria Erickson put it perfectly into words: “Although I deeply love oceans, deserts and other wild landscapes, it is only mountains that beckon me with that sort of painful magnetic pull to walk deeper and deeper into their beauty. They keep me continuously wanting to know more, feel more, see more.”
I carry my camera and sketch book when hiking and camping through the mountains as if to try and capture some of the beauty that the landscape makes you feel. I hope you enjoy some of my favourite images from the past month.