Blakeney Rapids

#2251113 Time Passing 11x14

#2251120 Blakeney Rapids 40x30 SOLD

Ask plein-air painters in these parts and they will tell you that they love painting at Blakeney.

Situated down stream from Almonte on the Mississippi River, Blakeney features a park and wild rapids ending in major waterfalls. The trails are rough: one needs to be careful of open water and rugged paths. The thick trees allow glimpses of the action. The roar of rushing water is everywhere.

I made a painting trip to Blakeney late last fall before the colours lost intensity. When I was setting up, our web design photographer arrived and took some video footage. (See the first page on my NEW website) (charliespratt.com). Accompanied by outdoor painting friends, I remained until the shadows were lengthening.

The small canvas on the right was painted near one of the streams in the park that day. Years of practice allowed me to summarize a painting in my mind, while the roaring water reverberating in my ears and I observed limited glimpses of rushing water through the trees. 

In my studio, a second look at the 11”x 14” sketch raised my expectation for a large canvas, so I cleaned it up and stored it away. This winter I decided to paint a large 40”x 30” based on the sketch and my recollections from that day in November. 

I have been painting for a long time. The process of learning to paint directly from nature has taken years, painting with oils first, then watercolours and finally acrylics to a point where I can trust my instincts and inspirations and express these impressions in my work. The paintings are not always successful; failures are discarded.

When I am satisfied with a piece, one that expresses a narrative, i give it a title, a catalogue number, a date and my signature, all inscribed on the back of the canvas. One painting turned up recently after 43 years. Still looking good.

Charlie | January 7, 2026 • { 11”x 14” (28cm x 35cm) / 40”x 30” (76cm x 101cm) }
Send your comments and queries to: csprattart @ gmail.com