Barry M. Cohen

Spirit Island

Spirit Island is a tiny tied island in Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.
I thought it was time to start featuring some of my photography. We arrived at Spirit Island after a short boat trip accross Maligne Lake and were rewarded with one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen.

Painting of “Hogwarts Castle”

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, England. Alnwick Castle is the location used for Hogwarts Castle in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' and 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.' It has been featured in other famous films as well, like 'Elizabeth' and 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
I created this painting from my original photo taken in Great Britain on our wonderful trip. We didn’t get to visit the castle; only a quick drive by. I decided to get creative and add the sheep in the foreground. I thought it was a nice touch.

Painting of "Edinburg Castle, Scotland"

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position on the Castle Rock. Archaeologists have established human occupation of the rock since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD), although the nature of the early settlement is unclear. There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until 1633. From the 15th century the castle's residential role declined, and by the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks with a large garrison. Its importance as a part of Scotland's national heritage was recognized increasingly from the early 19th century onwards, and various restoration programs have been carried out over the past century and a half. As one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle was involved in many historical conflicts from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite rising of 1745. Research undertaken in 2014 identified 26 sieges in its 1100-year-old history, giving it a claim to having been "the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world".

I created this painting from my original photo taken on our visit to Scotland. The sun sets very late in Scotland in the summer and I had to stand and wait until almost 11:00Pm for the sky to get dark and the castle lights to come on but it was worth the wait. Your comments are always appreciated.