Into The Arctic: II explores scenic Canadian north

Passionate about the Canadian landscape and its natural beauty, artist Corey Trepanier ventured into the nation’s arctic regions for months at a time, braving extreme weather conditions and dangerous wildlife in order to capture on canvas the Canadian landscape which may never be the same again.

Into The Arctic: II, Trepanier’s second film, provides an extensive look at some of Canada’s most stunning and unpopulated regions, as well as a look at the creative process of an artist.

In 2006, Trepanier began his multi-year Into The Arctic project with the goal of completing 50 paintings depicting the farthest corners of the Canadian north. He has since completed three extensive treks through the arctic regions capturing landscapes on canvas that have seldom been seen and painted even less frequently.

During the three months it took Trepanier to gather sufficient footage for his newest film, the artist travelled to some of the most remote areas of the Canadian arctic. Among his destinations were Quttinirpaaq National Park, Clyde River, Pangnirtung, Bathhurst Inlet and Wilberforce Falls, a 197 foot tall waterfall in Nunavut which Trepanier describes as being among his most “stunning” destinations. None of the destinations captured on canvas are accessible by road, giving one insight into the kind of terrain that is covered in the film.

Nunavat, a location much of the documentary is filmed, accounts for staggering one fifth of Canada’s landmass, and only a tiny fraction of its population. For these reasons, many Canadians will never witness the landscape firsthand.

Trepanier aims to communicate the experience of his travels to these remote locations through his paintings. One piece still in the works in Trepanier’s collection is a fifteen by nine-foot oil painting entitled “Great Glacier.” This painting will be one of the largest landscape paintings ever from the Canadian arctic.

Speaking to The Cord, Trepanier recounts some of the most thrilling moments during the filming of Into the Arctic: II. “One night, two arctic wolves came right up to our tent. We had learned that you don’t need to fear them when their fur is stained red, because it means they’ve been hunting. We noticed that about these wolves, so we didn’t get too worried.”

Another creature encountered on the voyage was polar bears. “They’re the only animal that will really hunt you. At one location we saw four within the span of twenty minutes,” said Trepanier.

“I hope that through this film, more people will come to recognize and appreciate the beauty of our country, by seeing the landscapes through the eyes of an artist,” Trepanier said.

By fusing the worlds of exploration and art, Trepanier brings both a new meaning to travel and an intriguing element to his artwork.

By witnessing the creative process, one is sure to gain a heightened appreciation for both the artwork itself and the great dedication of the man behind it. The film debuts at Princess Twin Cinema on Nov. 17.