Mazinaw Rock / Bon Echo Art Project 2024 - Shelley Leach ©

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 "Inspired by the land, shaped by the Journey"   

Bon Echo & Mazinaw Rock  

Art Project Contemporary Narrative  

Shelley Leach © 2025   

Mazinaw Rock is, located within Bon Echo Provincial Park in Southeastern Ontario. Through this project, I weave together historical research, personal reflection, and creative expression. While creating this project I did a artistic residency in the area from Late June to Mid October  2024 ( over 15 weeks). My time at Bon Echo and Mazinaw Rock will always be extremely important in my artistic journey. 

While my artists residency was not hosted by Bon Echo Provincial Park itself, the park was the subject of my work. It’s worth noting that Bon Echo has not offered an artist residency program in over a decade. 

Art plays a vital role in culture, serving as a means of expression, reflection, and connection. It fosters engagement, conversation, and deepens our understanding of our immediate surroundings. Through my 2024 project done during my residency in the area it gave me time to explore and reflect upon this area, part of Canada’s unique landscape. 

My narrative of my time at Bon Echo is crucial to my project, embodying an interdisciplinary approach that I hope, fosters deeper connections and adds to the provenance of the original work. I hope it enhances my artwork by providing depth, cultural relevance, emotional engagement, and a unique perspective to the story of my time at Bon Echo.

My series consists of paintings, watercolours created on location, photographs, and importantly, this narrative, it was an evolving process as I worked to create my finished project. 

During early winter 2024 I was fortunate to show a portion of my painting series in Renfrew, Ontario. Each project I take on is something I dedicate myself to. Painting is my expression of creative exploration. 

While most of my time is spent working to create my projects such as this Bon Echo series I also work on pieces from other areas I have visited. Each year I try to focus myself on one area, 2024 was focused on Bon Echo/Mazinaw Rock. I find this fulfilling as an artist, learning in-depth about the areas I paint. I don't just pass though, it becomes a full circle experience and part of my artistic journey that I hope to share with you by "Fostering a deeper appreciation for these areas and the uniqueness that connects them to our lives" 

Mazinaw Rock rises approx. 330 ft above Mazinaw Lake and it approx. 1.5 km in distance. Mazinaw Rock is known for its indigenous pictographs and the imposing size of the cliff. Mazinaw rock was opened as a public Provincial Park in 1965 and is the largest indigenous rock art site in the southern Canadian Shield in 1982 it was designated a National historic site of Canada. Ontario Parks staff provides a interpretive boat tour of some of the pictographs where you can learn about possible meaning of some the pictographs. 

This area has a colourful past also engraved on the cliff is a very large quote from a poem by poet Walt Whitman. In 1919 this was commissioned by early feminist, and successful business woman Flora McDonald Denison, stone masons carved this poem below into Mazinaw Rock, Denison had started the Canadian Suffrage Association and was also a proponent of the arts, especially writing. 

When she and her husband owned the Bon Echo Inn it was turned it into a haven for artists and thinkers, an artistic and intellectual retreat in the Ontario wilderness where they could work and relax and create. Flora MacDonald Denison died in 1921, her ashes were scattered in the lake at the base of the Old Walt poem. In September 1936, lightning struck the Bon Echo Inn. The whole building burned within 1 to 2 hours, and the Bon Echo Inn was no more. The poem quote says in part... 

“My Foothold is Tenon'd and mortised in granite I laugh at what you call dissolution and I know the amplitude of time” 

In 1982, this site was designated a "Historic Site of Canada" because: it is the largest rock art site on the southern Canadian Shield and the only major pictograph site in Southern Ontario; and, it is a very complex site containing many more abstract and geometric symbols than is normally the case. " refer- Mazinaw Pictographs National Historic site of Canada - Parks Canada  

Lake Mazinaw has a permitter of 49 km and an astounding depth of close to 500ft. making it one of the deepest lakes in Ontario. Mazinaw Rock, rising 330 feet above the waterline, means likely it extends a similar distance below the surface. While I haven’t yet found the exact underwater depth of the cliff, it is reasonable to assume it is comparable. As someone who is curious it certainly has peaked my intertest to know what it looks like below the water. 

The lake is located in the headwaters of the Mississippi River watershed. Mazinaw lake is also a habitat for Lake Sturgeon, they are a "species at risk" and considered threatened. Lake Sturgeon are bottom feeding fish, with the depth of Mazinaw I was told it would be rare to see one, it was explained to me when at the park by park staff the largest one recorded at Lake Mazinaw to date was 9ft, 500lbs and approx. 103 yrs old. I think this size could be more legend and possibly a bit exaggerated. However, they are extremely large fish and I would expect with the depth of Mazinaw indeed there are some very large sturgeons lurking in its depths. 

Most certainly the dinosaurs of Mazinaw. 

The lake is divided into two basins and is home to Bon Echo Provincial Park. The Boundaries of Bon Echo Provincial Park protect is approximately 20,000 acres of this diverse ecosystem with its natural rugged beauty. The park really has what I refer to as two sides, the Lake Mazinaw side of the park is actually the smallest area of the park at approx. 2000 acres, its also the most visited for obvious reason... Mazinaw Rock. However there is 18,000 acres beyond Lake Mazinaw and Mazinaw Rock ...18,000 acres is approx. 72 sq km in comparison to the approx. 8 sq km of the Mazinaw side of Bon Echo. In this larger part of the a park the lakes are smaller, there are numerous backcountry hiking trails and more rustic camping areas. The entire park is within the boundaries of both North Frontenac and Lennox & Addington county. 

Bon Echo was named for the acoustic properties of the rock surrounding the Lake. Mazinaw, comes from Algonquin words “Mazinaabikinigan-zaaga'igan,” meaning “painted-image ,picture” or “writing,” The Rock ( Cliff) on Lake Mazinaw, and the surrounding area, is significant for the region’s Indigenous Peoples, evidenced by the more than 250 pictographs. 

The pictographs were painted on the rock (cliff) at or close to water level with red ochre , pigment made from clay rich in iron oxide. The creators of these pictographs used animal fat or plant material as binding agent to adhere the paint they created to the rock surface. 

Out of the almost 260 pictographs, one stood out to me: a turtle depicted in an orange tone, contrasting with the deep red ochre of the others. It was explained that the ochre may have originated from different locations, with only two known sources in the area. I questioned whether the colour difference might instead be due to the binding agent used in the pigment. As an artist, this was my initial thought. I found it intriguing that this one orange tone pictograph represents a turtle, a significant symbol in Indigenous cultures, embodying creation, wisdom, protection, nurturing, and balance. Mazinaw Rock holds profound meaning, interpreted in our own ways, the essence of its captivating presence. 

Something else about the pictographs and why in some respects I believe my project is timely. Many of pictographs have faded over the years, especially when compared to the vibrant colours they once had. Many of the images found online show them as a deep oxide red, but in reality, the colours have dulled significantly. This deterioration isn’t due to natural weathering or environmental factors; rather, it’s primarily caused by human interaction when touching the pictographs. As visitors touch the pictographs while exploring the area, the oils and dirt from our hands contribute to the fading leaving some barely visible today.  

Despite this heritage designation thousands of visitors engage directly with the pictographs each year, leading to accelerated deterioration. These pictographs are estimated to date back anywhere from 300 to 1,000 years, but in under a century of human interaction, many have become barely noticeable. This observation underscores a crucial point about our curiosity—it can sometimes lead to unintentional harm. While it's natural to want to connect with these artifacts, it’s essential to consider the impact of our actions and encourage more respectful engagement with these cultural treasures, ensuring they can be appreciated by future generations. It’s inevitable that there will be some human impact when we’re out in nature that can be concerning. I believe that the deterioration of pictographs is concerning, and there is a direct lack of meaningful interpretation surrounding them for those who go to see them. 

For me, the pictographs are essential to understanding Bon Echo and Mazinaw Rock. They have been part of the area for an estimated 300 to 1,000 years, while the Bon Echo Inn existed for only about 36 years. I appreciate all aspects of Bon Echo’s history and am now adding my own perspective as a visitor to the park and a Canadian artist who painted Bon Echo! 

Although most of my time was spent on the Mazinaw side of Bon Echo Provincial park there are in fact two sides to the park, Bon Echo features: Mazinaw Lake, Bon Echo Lake, Abes Lake, Essens lake, and Joeperry Lake, alongside numerous trails leading to smaller bodies of water and lakes. I spent some time in these areas of the park, Bon Echo Lake is a smaller lake within Bon Echo.

As you go beyond this to the other sites on this side of the park the areas get more distant and rugged from that of Mazinaw Lake. Exploring these less-traveled areas deepened my appreciation for the entire park, highlighting the balance between its popular attractions and the serene, untamed beauty of its wilderness. This side of the park as mentioned is approx.18,000 acres of the over 20,000 acres Bon Echo Protects. In 2022, a storm called a "derecho" devastated this area of the park, characterized by widespread, long-lived winds from rapidly moving thunderstorms, producing winds exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph) and altering landscapes. 

This experience deepened my connection to Bon Echo, reminding me that beauty often lies in the unexpected nature of its weathering. As I traveled through this area, for reasons I could not explain, I actually felt closer to nature. You also can find a journal entry I wrote on this the “day of” its at the end of this narrative. 

Beyond my journal entry- artistically, I found this areas transformation similar to the beauty found in wetlands, where change and renewal are essential to the ecosystem's vitality. Just as wetlands serve as vital habitats for species like frogs, turtles, dragonflies and countless others, the weathering of this forest reflects a dynamic process in which beauty emerges not in permanence but in the evolution of the land. 

The change in the landscape as a result of the storm brought new species and opened spaces for sunlight to nurture growth, creating a new landscape that showcases resilience and adaptation. In my view, this area of Bon Echo deserved a visit for the same reasons I explored any other; it invites to engage with nature differently than other areas of Bon Echo. While wetlands often serve as a living classroom for many, this area offers similar insights into biodiversity and ecological interconnections, I think this rugged landscape reminded me of the lessons in the complexities of nature much like ourselves. 

To look beyond immediate visuals and appreciate the underlying processes at work. As a landscape artist, I thought this area in particular is a reminder that nature’s artistry goes far beyond what meets the eye, revealing complexity and wonder, just waiting to be explored. 

You can find previews of the original paintings created following this narrative. 

My “official” project is now finished. I finished two paintings during my residency, not including all my sketches. I added to this collection after returning from my residency and returned to Bon Echo several times after my residency. Each project I have undertaken has been and will always be a unique exploration in its own right Bon Echo has proven to be no exception to this artistic journey. 

While my time in the area wasn’t part of an official residency program, I like to think of it as my own personal, "unofficial residency" at Bon Echo—a period that has deeply shaped my work and will continue to influence my artistic journey. I’m hopeful that this experience can inspire visitors (both you and me) to reflect on the importance of supporting arts and culture in public spaces. 

On November 18th, I spent some time at Bon Echo after the end of the camping season, and only saw three people and one dog (besides my own) in this vast park. I returned again Dec 14, 2024 where I volunteered for the third annual Bon Echo Bird Count. 

This projects narrative will remain online, highlighting the insights and provenance woven into original artwork created from this project. With this project a tried to create art that invites you to celebrate the beauty, complexity and multifaceted stories that make Bon Echo such a artistically captivating area. For those who value the experiences captured within each of original piece of artwork. 

In February 2025 I requested a tour at the National Gallery of Canada to see all the artwork in their collection of Bon Echo. This included 3 orginal works by Group of Seven member Arthur Lismer and one work by A.Y Jackson. This tour included artwork in the galleries vaults and curatorial notes. I was provided a tour by one of the galleries curators with a vast knowledge of these works. It really gave me a truer understanding of the more famous artwork created of Bon Echo and Mazinaw Rock. To see the artists sketches and finished works in the collection was something I truly took inspiration from as I finished my own work at Bon Echo.

April 1, 2025 I once again returned to Bon Echo, this time to meet with Tim Yearington. Tim is a Metis writer/author, artist and traditional wilderness guide (Thunderbird Mountain Tours). We decided to meet at Bon Echo, I was hopeful he could help me feel more balanced with my understanding of Mazinaw Rock from an indigenous perspective. He certainly did make me feel my work at Bon Echo was worth it. I learned much about Mazinaw Rock historically, from this perspective, we made a good connection. Ending our tour with a pipe ceremony. 

I started my project with know prior knowledge of Mazinaw and walked away from Bon Echo and Mazinaw knowing in someway feel I respected the real spirit of Mazinaw and Bon Echo. To share the knowledge we gain, we really had an afternoon of “storytelling” there are many legends about Mazinaw and Bon Echo. 

This really isn’t legend...yet!

I’m very thankful to Tim for his time and sharing his knowledge and experiences at Mazinaw with me. 

All artwork I created as part of this project is available for purchase. I have detailed description of each paintings inspiration for those interested. It is not available online. I'm always available to talk about the inspiration for the painting in my project. 

If your interested in purchasing any of my artwork created from this project please get in touch or if you'd like to commission me to painting something specific for you from this area, drop me an email or give me a call I do work on commission for specific paintings. I hope you enjoyed reading about my creative exploration of Bon Echo and Mazinaw Rock.

 Thanks for visiting!

© Shelley Leach 2025 

October 2024, Artist Journal entry – Shelley Leach “ Inspired by the Land, Shaped by the Journey” 

My artists journal/notes, are not publish online I kept a journal during my visits to Bon Echo. My narrative is more a cumulation of my overall experience.

This entry was one I felt really hit all the cords of my experience to some degree as I was in my creative exploration phase of Bon Echo provincial park nearing the end of my artists residency.

This was my Oct 2024 entry… written by Shelley Leach

"Seeing" Bon Echo Provincial Park as an artist is more than an adventure; for me, it’s about embracing a creative perspective. The nuances of the landscape, the people, and the attractions enrich the experience. My artistic exploration here has been particularly shaped by the prominence of Mazinaw Rock. It’s easy to become captivated by this massive cliff and the poem etched into the cliff. The sheer size of the cliff, the evening-to-night glow, and the pictographs tell stories that resonate with introspection—something most artists tend to do. 

Bon Echo features: Mazinaw Lake, Bon Echo Lake, Abes Lake, Essens lake, and Joeperry Lake, alongside numerous trails leading to smaller bodies of water and lakes. When I went to the “ other side of Bon Echo” away from Mazinaw to Bon Echo Lake, Abes Lake and Joeperry it brought me back to a nature I’m more familiar with, closer to a wilderness feel. 

It’s a reminder that beauty lies not only in the dramatic but also in the subtle, in those quiet moments that connect us to nature. 

As I traveled toward the park’s boundary or as far as I could go, I began to notice many fallen trees—a different kind of drama. In 2022, a storm called a "derecho" devastated this area of the park, characterized by widespread, long-lived winds from rapidly moving thunderstorms, producing winds exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph) and altering landscapes, as it did in Bon Echo. This experience deepened my connection to the land, reminding me that beauty often lies in the unexpected nature of its weathering. As I traveled through this area, for reasons I could not explain, I actually felt closer to nature, but of course, my introspection took over, and I began reflecting on this. 

The Group of Seven, particularly A.Y. Jackson, F.H. Varley, Arthur Lismer, and Lawren Harris not only were celebrated landscape artists, but they also served as war artists during World War I. 

Both Jackson and Harris painted at Bon Echo in the 1920s and ’30s, capturing the park's beauty in the wake of their wartime experiences as did Casson, Macdonald and Carmichael virtually they all did! Lismer's painting "Big Rock Bon Echo" from 1922 is in the National Gallery of Canada. As an artist with work in the Canadian War Museum and someone who grew up in a second generation military family, I often visit the War museum vaults to view art that is rarely seen. Each time I go, I am astounded to find my own artwork displayed alongside these iconic 

Canadian landscape painters. To think that my art hangs in the same space as that of A.Y. Jackson and Lawren Harris is a humbling experience, like standing right next to them. But this blog is not about group of seven painting history its about my experience on this day on the "other side of Bon Echo" ! 

It’s a reminder of the legacy of Canadian art and the deep connections we all share with this land. Was this similar to what they experienced and felt after returning from war and finding solace in the solitude of the landscape? I don’t know why, but for reasons I can't explain, it felt prevalent as I traveled through. 

Returning to the landscape on this side of Bon Echo, as I entered the area affected by the storm, I gained a renewed sense of nature—its beauty, unpredictability, and fragility. Everything can change in a second. Still, although the landscape is dramatically altered and looks somewhat sparse with the old-growth trees towering above the newer ones, I could feel the remnants of what it was. This brought to mind the Group of Seven painters who captured Bon Echo after the war, witnessing devastation yet somehow renewing their spirit in places like Bon Echo. 

As I traveled along, I encountered numerous creeks, feeling deeply connected to nature and the art. The fall colours made this especially lovely—I felt a painting in every glance. I left this area of the park feeling reconnected and more attuned to the true essence of nature as I know it—not reflecting in words but connecting with the subtleties of the landscape—a wordless visual narrative that conveys a profound appreciation. It’s a story not merely written, but seen, felt. This experience reinforces my belief that true art emerges from a deep connection to the natural world, allowing me to express emotions that resonate with others and capture the beauty of fleeting moments. 

© Shelley Leach 2024