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Simpson Air hangar brightened up with murals Fort Simpson artist harnesses beauty of Virginia Falls and Little Doctor Lake
Jeanne Gagnon
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, September 19, 2013
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Two of the most spectacular views that the Northwest Territories has to offer were the subject of murals painted on Simpson Air's hangar.
Fort Simpson artist Sarah Bradfield just finished painting murals of Virginia Falls and Little Doctor Lake earlier this month on one of the walls of Simpson Air's hangar. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo
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Fort Simpson artist Sarah Bradfield just finished painting murals of Virginia Falls and of Little Doctor Lake earlier this month on one of the walls of Simpson Air's hangar.
She spent a couple of weeks, starting July 1, painting the falls, based on a photograph, using exterior wall paint. On Aug. 1, she started painting a view from Little Doctor Lake with a float plane.
"Both of them are, kind of, quintessential Simpson Air destinations. It seemed natural to do those," said Bradfield, who has visited both locations.
Choosing locations
The South Nahanni River drops 90 metres in the Nahanni National Park Reserve, making Virginia Falls twice the height of those in Niagara, Ont.
Little Doctor Lake, located about 100 kilometres west of Fort Simpson, is a popular spot for fishers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Ted Grant, president of Simpson Air and Nahanni Mountain Lodge, said Bradfield had first painted a smaller mural on the crew trailer where his pilots live.
"It was a nice mural, so I thought maybe a big one on the side of the hangar would look good, too. It turned out perfect," said Grant.
"Well, Little Doctor Lake, I have a lodge there and it's one of the most beautiful views in Canada. And Virginia Falls are the centrepiece of the Nahanni National Park. That's why I chose those two."
Grant said he wanted a mural tourists would see as airplanes land and people would look at as they come in to the airline's office.
"It improves the site of my old hangar," he said.
Painting the murals kept Bradfield busy for the summer.
The artist, a former Thomas Simpson School teacher originally from Revelstoke, B.C., outlined the images on the wall before taking her brushes to fill the spaces with paint, using a ladder for the harder-to-reach places. The walls' rough surface helped with the texture, said Bradfield.
Painting a larger mural was beneficial, she added, as it gives her exposure and practice with this type of medium.
The murals on the Simpson Air hangar are about 5.5 metres high by 12 metres wide.
"I'm pretty satisfied with it," said Bradfield.
"I think it gives me more motivation to keep exploring these types of venues and stuff. It's something I want to pursue a little more seriously so it's a good first step."
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