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My inspiration for this painting was the rocks of the Boundary Waters. After spending about 25 years guiding day trips in the wilderness of Minnesota, upon numerous occasions, I've had the personal experience of passing by these rocks covered with moss and lichens in several areas surrounding my home. They've always been one of my favorite sights and I built this painting around them.

After laying down countless brush strokes of color, I finished the rocks and tree scene in the middle but the rest of the canvas fought me. I came really close to painting the entire canvas white, rocks and all, white and going with some other scene. I could not give up the rocks however and one night in my sleep, the idea came to me as to how to finish this painting and the red canoe resting on the rocks was born. After about 70 hours, I finally finished the scene and now I consider it one of my favorites. -JB-

Joe Baltich is a veteran wilderness artist born and raised in northeastern Minnesota. Growing up on a wilderness resort which he still operates and having served as a wilderness guide, Joe developed his artistic skills and observations in his early life. He sold commissioned works that paid for much of his college education. Then, life and business got in the way and Joe took a 32 year hiatus from painting only having returned back to the brush in 2014. He now paints commissioned works with a growing art business as well as many pieces for his Inspire Wild Art Exhibit at Northwind Lodge which features the famous Painted Canoe of Ely. Joe presently serves as the head artist for the non-profit educational organization, Into The Brush...