"Commando Bay Trail," Open Edition Print

Inspiration:

Summer mornings in the Okanagan, the most magical time of day! Pastel colours fill the air. Rolling hills of pine soak up the sun’s gentle rays as Okanagan lake sparkles. The location of this painting is taken from Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park near Commando Bay. The view looks across the Lake to Summerland BC. Original 30x48 digital painting created September 2022.

LOCAL HISTORY:
One of Jaxon’s favourite places on the lake, Commando Bay is rich in local history. Located near the mouth of Wild Horse Canyon, local Indigenous peoples once used the rocky topography of this area as a wild horse trap prior to early settlers using it as a trail to access Father Pandosy’s Mission (which later became Kelowna). As the road network through the Valley moved to the west side of the Lake, these isolated slopes became the perfect spot to conduct secret military ops. During WWII, British Intelligence relied on a select group of Chinese Canadian volunteers for a very dangerous special military operation behind enemy lines in South East Asia. After months of training, many of these soldiers underwent further parachute training in Australia before deployment in Borneo where a number were awarded Military Medals for their courage and bravery! Due to it’s top secret history, this area became known as “Commando Bay”. Now part of Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, it is an iconic camping spot that is only accessible by boat or hiking trail! A fabulous 25 km out-and-back trail run from the end of Lakeshore Road, Jaxon’s favourite part of this area is spotting the Big Horn Mountain Sheep that hang out on the rocky cliffs above the Lake. An arid environment filled with sage brush, ponderosa’s & the odd rattlesnake, Jaxon looks to bring a warm summer feeling into your home with a vibrant creation that is rich with local history!

If you have been following Jaxon for a while you may recognize this piece as an updated version of one of his first ever award winning originals which remains in his Family’s private collection.

Okanagan Lake Artwork by BC Artist Jaxon Jurome:
Born & raised in Kelowna, British Columbia, Jaxon Jurome is a professional artist, 3rd generation REALTOR® & Okanagan adventurer who is so grateful to enjoy the endless list of outdoor opportunities that British Columbia provides! Following the teachings of his grandfather, Bill Jurome, Jaxon began painting several years ago & has formulated a style which is inspired by the positivity & vibrancy of the natural environment! Whether it’s an epic powder day on the ski hill, a hot Okanagan afternoon by the lake, or catching a big winter swell in Tofino, Jaxon feels that nature can teach us so much about slowing down, being present & truly living a fulfilled life enriched by experience. Using this as the spark for his inspiration, Jaxon packs each painting with as much positivity energy as possible bringing great joy, happiness & colour into people’s lives & living rooms! Being a self taught artist, Jaxon’s aim with painting is to inspire others to create. Whether it is art, dance, music, words or sculpting, we all have the power to create positivity!