Two Canoes for Team Rubicon Canada’s Salute to Service

When Team Rubicon Canada invited me to support its annual Salute to Service fundraiser earlier this year, I thought of a painting with two canoes, one red and one green. I’ve painted canoes many times in my work about Canada. In this painting, what stands out to me is the relationship between the two boats. Their complementary colours give each canoe a presence of its own, and seeing them together makes me think about what it takes to move in the same direction. It felt like the right painting to donate to an evening that honours teamwork and service.

On November 5, 2026, Team Rubicon Canada will mark ten years of service at Salute to Service: 10 Years of Resilience at Rocky Mountaineer Station in Vancouver. The fundraiser will bring together community leaders, supporters and Team Rubicon Canada’s volunteers, known as Greyshirts. Through interactive activities, visual storytelling and firsthand accounts from the front lines, guests will hear what disaster response looks like from the people who do the work.

Team Rubicon Canada brings military veterans and civilian volunteers together to help communities respond to disasters and humanitarian crises across the country. That partnership was what drew me to the invitation. I spend much of my time working alone in the studio, so I’m especially glad when a painting can leave that space and contribute to something people are doing together.

I’m honoured to have my two canoes be part of this year’s Salute to Service. To the Greyshirts who show up for communities across Canada, thank you for what you do.

If you’re part of a national Canadian organization looking to offer something unique at your next fundraising auction, I’d love to hear from you and talk about how an original painting could support your cause. Contact here.