Every year in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, thousands of people gather along the river and watch a group of swans as they are released from their winter shed and waddle back to the river (do swans even waddle?!) This year, at least the weather will be agreeable, as last year it was snowing and -8. People wear paper swan hats and as the swans pass them on the road, they start to follow the swans as well. It is a mesmerizing event. The swans are actually desendants of the Queen's swans when she came to visit Stratford in the 1950's. The swans are followed by bagpipers and often there is a goose who likes to slip in front and lead the pack.
As an artist, I will be painting in the tourism office all weekend. I was there yesterday, and this was what I completed illustrating the event. My name is Vicki Schofield and I live and paint in Stratford - the tourism season begins with the swan parade and then it gets more eventful after that. This is my first post and I look forward to writing more about painting in Stratford, Ontario.