Gwen Frankton

Water Collection

We are water. Water occupies over 98% of the human cell molecule. We are drawn to water,
calmed by water. Our bodies respond to the tides.

Creeks and a River is the name of a solo show which was to be at the Atrium Gallery in June-July, of 2021 ). That didn’t happen because of COVID and now I live in Nova Scotia so it never will. I’ll leave it here for a bit as it really held my heart. This show, comprised of large pen and ink drawings on paper, pastel and acrylic paintings and hand-drawn maps was to tell the story of some of the tributaries in our beautiful Ottawa River watershed.

Here are some of the pieces you would have seen.

Ottawa River in Flood, Crystal Bay. Pastel Triptych By Gwen Frankton. Each panel 24 — ©Gwen Frankton 2018, *Ottawa River in Flood, Crystal Bay*. Pastel Triptych, Each panel 24" X 18". $900

All About Graham Creek

Graham Creek has its headwaters in the Stoney Swamp. It meanders to and fro, through the Qualicum neighbourhood, past the Bayshore Shopping Centre and, passing under a little wooden bridge, through Andrew Haydon Park where it meets the Ottawa River. The Graham brothers once farmed shorthorns on either side of the creek, hence the name. The (very large) drawing below shows the mouth of the creek.

Pen and ink drawing of the mouth of Graham Creek by Gwen Frankton — ©Gwen Frankton 2019, *Graham Creek Mouth*. Carbon Platinum ink on Fabriano paper, 38" X 56". $900

Acrylic painting of Graham Creek in Flood by Gwen Frankton — © Gwen Frankton 2019, *Graham Creek Flood*. Acrylic. $350

Pastel painting by Gwen Frankton. Graham Creek in Autumn. 24 — ©Gwen Frankton, *Graham Creek in Autumn*. Pastel (framed), 24" X 18". $350

©Gwen Frankton, *Graham Creek in Winter*. Acrylic. $250

All about Pinecrest Creek

When Gwen was a child, Pinecrest Creek flowed unimpeded from its headwaters around the Ryan Farm (now the Centrepointe Neighbourhood). Those headwater features have now all disappeared, victims of urbanization. Consequently Pinecrest Creek is now fed entirely by stormwater. Whatever neighbourhoods allow to run off in stormwater from driveways, roads and parking lots near Pinecrest Creek will eventually enter the creek and then the Ottawa River.

In 1966 the part from Carling Avenue almost to the Ottawa River was buried and the John A MacDonald Parkway was built on top. This is called entombment. Yes, it really is! Now thousands of cars run over it every day. What a fate for a nice, little creek.

You can see the mouth of Pinecrest Creek just where the parkway turns and runs by the river. The (very big) drawing below shows that part.