Spirit of the Quest

Oil on canvas

Spirit of The Quest was chosen as the official poster for the 2013 Yukon Quest.

As a handler for the Yukon Quest 1,000 mile race in Canada and Alaska, I was delighted to see the dogs’ boundless energy leaving each checkpoint. This particular painting is based on the arrival at Mile 101 after the team’s triumph over a stormy, unforgiving Eagle summit. One husky, Porter, began to bark. Soon they were all howling, pulling, lunging ready to go again… fuelled with excitement from the mountain, determined to continue… Full of Spirit. 
 
The scene begins from the left as a line sketch, an idea… much like the quest. An idea slowly becoming a reality into a competitive 1,000 mile race. Then it actualises as the dogs become more prominent, and the storm thickens, but their excitement does not fade… just as the financial pressures and modern restrictions thicken each winter, still the determination of the volunteers, fans and organisers of the race does not fade… full of Spirit. 

For me, as an Artist and Yukon Quest fan, it is this “spirit” that shines through more so than in any other race… you don’t race the Quest for fame or money, each musher has his/her own reason, but you can be sure they all start with the admirable bond when musher and dogs become one. 
 
A magical, energetic scene – embodying the Spirit of the Quest.