Ring neck on Preston Pond in Vermont. Painting by Rob Mullen.
By Rob Mullen
I have done much of the Long Trail (LT) over the years, but not all of it. As a Vermonter and a semi-professional adventurer, not having done the whole LT feels wrong. Since the early 1980s, I have run about 30 expeditions (mostly by canoe) from Labrador to Alaska (and Arkansas, Texas/Mexico, Montana, and Kentucky). The last 20 of them, since 2001, have been art expeditions in support of a developing boreal forest exhibition. This year, we were headed for the “Barrenlands” of the Northwest Territories. The Coronavirus changed all of that.
Among the less tragic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the closing of the Canadian border to U.S. citizens. Wilderness plans were put on hold. And not only that, but like millions, I got hit with a major challenge to making a living. Being a self-employed artist (www.paintnpaddlestudio.com Signature member of the Society of Animal Artists), I did not have a job to ‘lose,’ but virtually all shows were cancelled, and galleries closed. Moreover, I have become somewhat addicted to yearly adventures. Then, reading something about ‘staycations’ brought the Long Trail out of the mist of my mind (it passes close to our house).
“End-to-End” of course (time to get it done!), and not just doing the LT, but doing it like my Canadian and Alaska art expeditions; as a painting trip. I will depart in the second week of September, allowing three weeks for hiking, one week for painting. Hopefully, this will help me adapt my work to the changing world we live in.
Along with any benefits to me, I also want to use the trek to raise the profile and funding for the Vermont Wildlife Coalition (VWC).
To that end, I am offering an opportunity to claim some artwork from the journey in exchange for sponsoring me on a mileage basis (LT is 273 miles) as follows:
$0.05 per mile - One hi-res (300 dpi) digital file of a painting from the trip suitable for printing. (This equals a $13.65 pledge IF I finish the entire 273 miles.)
$0.10 per mile - One hi-res file of a painting from the trip plus a satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.20 per mile - Two hi-res files of different paintings from the trip plus a satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.30 per mile - Three hi-res files of different paintings from the trip plus a satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.40 per mile - Four hi-res files of different paintings from the trip plus a satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.50 per mile - Five hi-res files of different paintings from the trip plus a satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.60 per mile - Five hi-res files of different paintings from the trip, a selection of ten photographs from throughout the hike, and satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.70 per mile - Five hi-res files of different paintings from the trip, fifteen select photographs from the hike, satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.80 per mile - Five hi-res files of different paintings from the trip, one original black and white (pencil or pen) from the hike, satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$0.90 per mile - Five hi-res files of different paintings from the trip, one original black and white (graphite or pen and ink) from the trip, ten select photos from the trip, satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
$1.00 per mile - Five hi-res files of different paintings from the trip, one original painting from the trip, ten select photos from the trip, satellite map link to my real-time position throughout the hike
Prints and photographs: 75% of proceeds go to the Vermont Wildlife Coalition and 25% to the Green Mountain Club. Originals: 15% of proceeds go to the Vermont Wildlife Coalition, 10% to the Green Mountain Club, and 75% to the artist.
The Vermont Wildlife Coalition is a registered 501(c)4 charitable organization. Donations are not tax deductible.
This campaign has ended. Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors!!!