Kickstarter

WREAF - Wilderness River Expedition Art Foundation 

Join our crew of internationally known artists this August and September as they begin a circumnavigation of the rugged peaks of Alaska’s Brooks Range – by canoe. Share the Adventure – Share the Art - Help conserve Wilderness.

(Below: "Coming Into the Country" Angiaak Pass between the Noatak and Kobuk Rivers, by Noatak expedition artist Bill Brody - he's been there before)

Below: "Pair Crossing" by Noatak River Expedition artist Gregory McHuron

As the latest in WREAF’s series of wilderness art expeditions (www.wreaf.org)  the Noatak River Expedition here on Kickstarter will contribute to a proposed exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) combining art, science and Aboriginal perspectives of the Boreal Forest (an announcement due soon). Together with the Kobuk River expedition next year, it will encompass the northern and westernmost extent of the ecosystem in North America and with our expeditions in northern Québec and Labrador, frame all of our Boreal journeys. Completely above the Arctic Circle among jagged mountain peaks with glacier fed rivers, Grizzlies, Wolves, Caribou and the Northern Lights, this will be a challenging and inspiring adventure.

With a superb crew of painters, a pro-photographer and a world-reknowned sculptor, the work from the expedition is sure to be exceptional. Supporting this expedition at all levels includes being able to follow the expedition in real time. Subsequent levels include photographs and videos of the expedition, prints and originals of field art and finally, original studio work inspired by the journey.

Some examples from previous expeditions are below with more at

http://www.wreaf.org/WREAFart.htm

(Below: "A Change of Mind" Missinaibi River - Acrylic by John C. Pitcher)

Below: "Devil's Shoepack Falls" Missinaibi River - Acrylic by Rob Mullen

Below: "Turbulent Currents"                                                                                Harlequin Ducks on the Kamestastin River, Labrador - Rob Mullen

Below: Plein air field painting - Nutilillik River by Rob Mullen

Below: Plein aire field sketches - George River by John C. Pitcher

Girding the northern globe, the Boreal Forest is the largest terrestrial ecosystem on Earth and greatest wilderness in the world. Critical for climate, carbon, fresh water, cultures, wildlife, birds and industrial resources, it is nearby and nearly unheard of. The proposed Boreal Forest exhibition at the NMNH will seek to correct that imbalance (an announcement is due from the museum soon). Your support on Kickstarter will help field this expedition effectively and safely while reducing the financial strain on an appreciative artist crew. We can reward you with the capability of being able to follow the expedition in real time, photography, video and stories of the journey and artwork created to bear witness to the expedition and its goals. Furthermore, such organic support for WREAF would very likely become part of the expedition and exhibit itself. 

Thank you - Rob Mullen                                                                                            Artist, Exhibit Co-Curator and Director of WREAF

Info on past expeditions and artwork is at www.paintnpaddlestudio.com and www.wreaf.org. The crew for this expedition (most are on for next year too) follows with links to their websites and artwork:
1. Bill Brody (AK/FL) www.billbrodyartist.com
2. Gary McGuffin (ON) www.garyandjoaniemcguffin.com Expedition Leader
3. Greg McHuron (WY) www.mchuronstudio.com
4. Rob Mullen (VT) www.robmullen.com Expedition Leader
5. Sandy Scott (WY) www.sandyscott.com
6. Trish Smith (WY)
7. Dustin Van Wechel (AZ) www.dustinvanwechel.com
8. Derek Wicks (ON) www.derekwicks.com

Field painting study for "River's End" alone at the Missinaibi River/Mattagami River confluence; evening September 11, 2001 - Rob Mullen