Rising above the shoreline of Thunder Bay, the Sleeping Giant has become one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in northwestern Ontario. In this original heavy body acrylic painting, Canadian artist Jeff Dillon captures the quiet scale of the landform beneath a towering cloudscape filled with shifting light, reflective water, and layered atmospheric movement. Visible from many places in Thunder Bay, “The Sleeping Giant” is the city’s most well known natural wonder. The land form resembles a giant lying on its back when viewed from the west to north-northwest. It has a wonderful history that is well worth researching to learn more about. I completed this painting of the treasured landmark as a commission. This piece also features a stunning dynamic cloudscape that is thick and extremely high. The sun pierces through the lofty clouds onto the water in long reflective rays that stretch across the horizon. The rolling cloud formations contrast against the calm horizontal line of the lake and the vertical beams of sunlight breaking through the atmosphere. Subtle tonal shifts throughout the water, sky, and distant city create depth while allowing the Sleeping Giant itself to remain the grounding presence within the landscape.
