SIDLER IN HER ATTIC STUDIO. PHOTO: MATT STETSON
The Studio Artist nan sidler BY KAYDI PYETTE
F
or environmentalist and watercolor artist Nan Sidler, wild spaces have always been important. Based in the canoe-culture mecca
of Peterborough, Ontario, it’s only natural the canoe would make a regular appearance in her work. “I paint what I love and canoeing has long been a wonderful part
of what I love,” she says. “Canoes are often a focal point in my work because it’s the vehicle of entry into the natural world.” Watercolor is an ideal medium for capturing that world, she adds, whether it’s reflections in the water, rays of light filtered by trees, clouds or campfire smoke, or the early morning mist rising from lakes and waterfalls. “It’s spectacular. All of these are inspirations for my paintings.” Though known in the paddling world for her canoescapes, Sidler paints equally lovely close-ups of natural world objects in exquisite detail, including shells, leaves and plants. Since she does most of her painting in her attic studio, Sidler takes
a series of photographs when a scene inspires her and refers back to the photos at home when it’s time to paint. “I sometimes take a spit box—a tiny collapsible watercolor set with
some favorite brushes and small sheets—and paint if there’s time on a canoe trip,” she adds. However, those are just drafts for larger, formal paintings, which take anywhere from a few days to a week to complete. Sidler has painted since she was a child, but since retiring from her
career as a primary school teacher after 34 years, she has had more time and more energy to devote to her artwork. “I’ve been very lucky to be able to pursue this second career,” she
says. “I now consider myself an artist and that’s an amazing goal to have reached. As a kid I always said I wanted to be an artist. Everyone was like, ‘Okay, but what are you really going to do?’” When she’s not painting or keeping up with a busy exhibition schedule, Sidler is a longtime volunteer at the Canadian Canoe Museum, where replicas of her work are sold. She says the most rewarding part about being an artist is when she sees viewers connect emotionally with her artwork.
50 PADDLING MAGAZINE
“Traveling by canoe is an opportunity to journey into wilderness,”
says Sidler. “You move in silence and peace, leaving behind only a trail of small waves. When you reach your destination you are tired but restored in spirit, and so appreciative of the beauty around you.” She believes it’s viewing that beauty and fragility of the natural world that creates a feeling of responsibility to sustain it for future generations. “I hope my art encourages viewers to explore this beauty for themselves, and to accept stewardship of this land we have borrowed, so it remains for others to enjoy.”
See more of Nan Sidler’s art at
www.sidlerart.com.
“PASSAGE INTO COLD LAKE” ILLUSTRATION: NAN SIDLER
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