The Best Inspiration Found off the Beaten Path

Let me tell you about how my inspiration came to be for my artistic image used in my “The Secret to Being Happy in 2022” post. 

Seawind Landing Country Inn is a bit out of the way, definitely off the beaten path, but so worth the trip!! 

Inspiration

Derek and I took a trip to see the fall colors on Cape Breton Island last October. This was our first trip to Cape Breton since we moved to Nova Scotia and it did not disappoint. We absolutely recommend putting the fall colors tour on your bucket list. We found the best time to go was the week after the Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October. 

Since we live about 5 hours from Cape Breton, we decided to stop and see some friends in Boylston, just north of Guysborough, as they are close to Cape Breton. 

Linocut reduction print of Seawind Landing

We went through an online book service and ended up finding Seawind Landing Country Inn. It was about 40 minutes south of Boylston and a bit out of our way, but it had a vacancy at this late date so we booked the room. One bit of advice, should you decide to visit this wonderful location, call Seawind Landing directly for the best rate instead of going through a booking site!! AND make sure your gas tank is full before heading there — the closest gas station we found was in Philips Harbour on Highway 16 (what they call Trunk 16 in Nova Scotia), 20 minutes away. 

Once we arrived, in the Larry’s River area… it was like stepping back in time. Such a stunning area on the Atlantic Ocean. Seawind Landing is located in Charlos Cove, part of a historic Acadian village located about half way between Halifax and the Cabot Trail along the Eastern Shore — a simply beautiful area. 

Seawind Landing is located on 25 spectacular oceanfront acres — just off Highway 316 and Wharf Road on a peninsula with amazing 360 degree views, walking trails, a beach, and Adirondack Chairs to relax in and take it all in! It was breathtaking. 

Needless to say we were glad we packed our cameras as we were inspired to take hundreds of photos!! We also made it a point to get up and take photos of the sunrise!! Truly a magnificent site to behold!! 

I am not typically an morning person, but I think if I had that view to see every day I might turn into one. 

The Inn is run by Dave and Ann Marie de Jongh. It’s pet friendly, and offers dining packages, including breakfast and dinner — the food is amazing!! 

Linocut and Digital Art

Upon our return home I combed through my many photos and decided to use a couple of my favorites I took at Seawind Landing at sunrise to work with in an app called PAINNT. I made some lovely digital art using this app, including the image I used for my “Normal is okay, but happy to be unique” blog post. 

Original photo (left), digital art design using PAINNT (right)

I also used this same design as inspiration for a linocut reduction print I made during the Intermediate Printmaking without a Press class I took with artist/printmaker Allison Tremain at the Lunenburg Art Gallery the end of November 2021. Allison was an amazing instructor and I learned so much from her and the other talented artists in the course. 

The limited edition linocut reduction print (above, left) is now available for sale with only eight prints remaining.  Also available is a 5X7 inch linocut greeting card (above, right) with an image of an iris. In addition, the images I’ve designed through the use of PAINNT will be available for sale soon in greeting card format on my website.

Let me know if you make it out to Seawind Landing, and please share  your photos and tell me what you think!! 

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