Category: Uncategorized

Every time I am on the ferry returning home to Vancouver Island I breathe a sigh of contentment when the ferry docks in the terminal. I always enjoy watching the scenery change on the ferry; there is a slow transformation of surroundings, from malls and the coal terminal to the trees and rocky beaches of the gulf islands. This painting depicts islands that can be seen from the ferry just before it docks in Swartz Bay.

The original diptych on two 24×36″ acrylic on canvas painting is available for sale here.

It is currently hanging at the Victoria International Airport, and can be viewed there until April 14, 2019.

Summit park is located in the same forest of garry oak trees where my house is. Every spring, for a fleeting week or two, the ground is carpeted with crocuses. These were among some of the first I observed the year I painted this; and I’d never seen them in this yellow colour before. They were nestled in the grass amongst oak leaves that had fallen the previous autumn, slowly nourishing the soil for more crocuses in years to come.

The original 30×30″ acrylic on canvas painting is available for sale here.

It is currently hanging at the Victoria International Airport, and can be viewed there until April 14, 2019.

Photo credit: Saanich News

Tonight I attended the Saanich Council Meeting, where the Mayor Atwell of Saanich presented a print from my painting, Bear Hill at Sunset from Elk Lake, to Mayor Shinno of Hatsukaichi City of Japan.

It was thrilling to be part of the ceremony, because it felt like a great honour, and because I’m not used to public speaking, and at one point Mayor Atwell handed me a microphone and asked me to say a few words about the painting. That, right there, is a thrill!

I talked briefly about last summer, after forest fires swept British Columbia and Washington State, how a smokey haze rolled in and changed the light of day to an eerie greyish yellow. I painted this piece based on a photo I took at sunset on the first day we could see blue sky after the smoke that had lasted weeks started to dissipate. It was a relief to see it go. I felt like we could finally see in colour again.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to thank Mayor Atwell in person for the political will in Saanich that has led to the Cedar Hill Arts Centre, where I use the open studio space to paint. It’s an amazing facility, and I’m very grateful to the municipality of Saanich for the opportunity to use it.

I am pleased, honoured, and humbled to announce that one of my prints, Bear Hill from Elk Lake at Sunset, has been selected by Mayor Atwell of Saanich to present to the Mayor of sister-city, Hatsukaichi City, Japan, in a ceremony at 7pm at Saanich Municpal Hall on Monday, April 23.

Hatsukaichi City is suburb of Hiroshima, and is home to Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.