“The North”,I wrote in 1986,“is perhaps the most beautiful land I have seen. It has intrigued,inspired,mystified,captured me like no other place on earth”.

Crossing the Yukon border I felt “a physical pull as thou walking into a spirit land”.

Powerful words from a 20 year- old on adventure.

Yet, the Arctic is bathed in drama.

 New” Northern Light” 8×10 Oil

Expansive carpets of crimson tundra, caribou moss and lichen spread in the shadows of purple mountains.

Lands I itched to paint.

“Of course you love the North, you have Norwegian blood!” My Grampa Larson remarked with passion, steely blue eyes sparkling. “You were born a Larson!”

Grandpa Larson & I  abt 20 yrs old.

My Grandpa’s family originated in Fladestol, Norway. He was a man of massive strength, and gentle heart.

Treasures I inherited from my Grampa, aside from blue eyes, are two little original artworks. A drawing and painting by his Uncle, Walter Larson.

“To Louis, from Santa” the inscription reads in Norwegian, on the back of a cigar box.

 Walter Larson original 1901(?)

I wonder if this is Fladstol. I yearn to visit this very place, to paint the fiords and mountains my ancestors loved, called home.

 Walter Larson pen &wash 1901

The Canadian North would pull me back several times, to work and live.

Since, I have embarked on other adventures, witnessed inspiring mystical lands. A special place in my heart belongs to the Arctic.

Perhaps an ancestral pull, love for a home I have yet to wander. ~

 Dawn( Larson) Banning original

I have been requested to submit work, with other artists on the Boreal Project to an online fundraiser exhibit for the Centre for Circumpolar Studies. The CCS is a private, non-profit institution for education and research in all aspects of the natural and cultural environment of the Circumpolar North. New “Northern Light” will be included.