Last year I was commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint to design two coins for the 2014 O Canada silver coin collector’s series. When I first listened to the voice mail I didn’t believe it was real at first. I was so excited to be contacted by the Royal Canadian Mint to design not only one but two coins!
They told me that they also selected other artists to submit designs. To me it was a huge honour just to be asked for a submission, but to my delight my designs were chosen for both the limited mintage 1/2 oz. Fine Silver Coins O Canada 10 coin set as well as the 1 oz. Fine Silver Coins O Canada 5 coin set. I have been waiting since last May to see my designs as engravings on the coins. They were finally released last night and I was so excited to see my coins!
This $10 silver collector’s coin was engraved from a watercolour painting of a skier floating through champaign powder. The soft snowy slope contrasts with the steep rocky mountains in the backdrop and gives some suspense as to what terrain the skier will find over the ridge.
This $25 silver collector’s coin was engraved from a watercolour painting of a skier making first tracks on a gorgeous sunny day in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It appears as though the skier is floating on air and indeed that is how it feels to ski on fresh powder.
Designing these coins for Canada was a huge honour for me and the highlight of my career as an artist. It’s amazing to see my watercolour painting transformed into engravings. They take on a whole different look and it wasn’t at all just a matter of copying my designs onto the coins. The engravers are true artists, interpreting each line and value and translating them into a 3D replica of the artwork. I am amazed by the fine detail they were able to achieve.
