Spotted Lake

It's surprising the number of people who have lived here most of their lives who haven't heard of Spotted Lake. You'd think because of its unusual features, more people would be intrigued with this "spot". The First Nation revered Spotted Lake as a sacred site and was thought to provide therapeutic waters. Most of the water in the lake evaporates over the summer, revealing colorful mineral deposits. Large “spots” on the lake appear and are colored according to the mineral composition and seasonal amount of rainfall. Magnesium sulfate, which crystallizes in the summer, is a major contributor to spot color. In the summer, remaining minerals in the lake harden to form natural “walkways” around and between the spots. I remember Mom digging up some of the minerals decades ago and using them in her bath. Of course it is now fenced off, but one can still get close for a view. It's just west of Osoyoos on Hwy 3.

I am drawn to the eerie contrast  in colour and tone. Yet there are many subtleties in the leaves and in the mineral walk-ways. Lots of mauves, blues, and yellows. To me the painting  has a mysterious quality and other worldliness to it.