The Island by John P. Cowan ~ "I was pulled up on Mud Island one day, studying my navigation chart, when I noticed a group of Canada geese loafing along fairly low, making their way up San Jose Island against a light norther. I looked at the chart, then the geese, then the chart, and an idea began to gel. That chart indicated that Mud Island almost intersects the big island at about 45 degrees. If I could get above Mud Island and look east into a nice sunrise, the smaller island would make a graceful lead-in element to the larger island, with its interesting ranch-house complex, runway, and harbor. Even the gulf beyond would probably show. The Canadas, always a graphic bird, could be the dominant element and symbolize the big island's abundant wildlife. This is one of the very few oil paintings I have done." - John P. Cowan