"The North Country" is unabashedly Canadian. I'm not a flag-waving nationalist, however, the idea of becoming a "51st state" got under my skin. So, this painting is an expression of my Canadian roots, of the landscape of my youth: summer lakes, the smell of woodfires (as opposed to wildfires), a cabin, the scent of pine and earth. It is strong, sharp, gorgeous, wild, clean. Long may it last!