Robert Bateman, the revered Canadian wildlife painter, turns 90 this year. To mark this milestone his foundation created Sketch Across Canada and distributed thousands of small sketchbooks across Canada to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get out and sketch nature.
Part of the motivation was also to help people alleviate anxiety and stress. To this end, the foundation has partnered with AnxietyCanada.com. On the foundation’s website are many resources for all ages: batemanfoundation.org/sketch-across-canada
On an unusually warm day at the end of March, I sat with a friend on her sunny deck, overlooking the snow-covered garden, and started drawing in my wee sketch booklet. I began with her bird feeder, which was a very busy spot that day.
I’ve been adding to it from time to time since then. Only 11 pages to go.




