“In a past life I was a commercial illustrator, and am still a maker of images. Valemount is unique in many respects, but I find its status as the beginning and end point of the Chinook salmon’s lifetime run to be particularly exciting. Salmon have an increasingly difficult time getting back to their spawning grounds in Swift Creek every summer. An arduous journey from ocean to creek bed can be ruined by a clumsy unaware person tramping a “redd” (egg nest) or disturbing parent fish in their final moments. I painted this picture entitled, Salmon Song, as sort of prayer for the salmon’s safe passage and spawning, wishing them home.”