October 2024
Hello Autumn, and shorter days that bring Thanksgiving, and eerie Halloween trends.

My writing is most pragmatic and less poetic for this entry. As an artist there are always days of struggle, dry zones that are contradictory in that they are positively draining.
I struggled with a hot summer this year resulting in a complete lack of energy. My carving sessions that I usually enjoy outside were few and far between. I chose not to fight it and instead spend slow, early mornings and end-of-days in my garden and reflect in the shade of our sweet gum tree.
A year in review marks many trips to our Cariboo Lake, keeping cool by the water, watching the changing landscape. Even the animals were too hot, hiding in glens, not in the open to be seen… an optimistic outcome is that my hands got a much deserved rest.

Most recently, the roads off Highway 97 are bordered by fiery golden leaves of the poplar and birch trees - the rich glow of sun-drenched leaves floods one’s view. I hope to see them again this week… yellow ochre rules!
Speaking of colours, like burnt and raw sienna, a jaunt into the Canadian prairies to see friends in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan last May delivered visuals of enormous farms preparing rows of soil into the horizon. The land disappears to the edge of sky with no obstruction as far as the eye can see – in the distance a rancher and his machines plow along in miniature scale, a sight I won’t forget!
En route we drove the TransCanada Highway, leaving BC through Jasper before the summer threat of a devastating wildfire. In my creative foraging I was driven to capture the Swedish Guide chalets of Golden, BC, a heritage site built in 1911 that the town and area have been trying for years to save. I carved my rendition of a part of the Eidelweiss Village, an in-progress snapshot below. A natural piece of rustic bark becomes the backdrop of this piece depicting the hillside of trees below the surrounding majestic mountains.

August brought another stint at Federation Gallery on Granville Island in my third entry to On The Edge 2024 showing "Twin Sisters" for which I received 'Honourable Mention' given under the seal of the Federation of Canadian Artists. I am very proud and grateful for this recognition.

“Polar Opposites,” my carving pair of polar bears and penguins on ice floes, found a featured place at the “Art 4 Life” exhibit for youth, and the young at heart, at Pomo Arts on display until the end of October. With this entry I also had the pleasure of including my collaborative work with bark carver, Mal MacPhail. His three carvings are enhanced by my pyrography work and acrylic painting. His “Mountain Chalet” also includes colourful LED lighting.
November 10th marks the opening of Blackberry Winter Market, a new name and new approach for our cooperative society in the combined seasonal sale with Port Moody Art Centre’s juried artisans. My carvings will be featured along with our other 18 members. I have new fresh ideas for ornaments and keepsakes for all to collect, covet and enjoy.
“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” - Jalal Ud-Din Rumi
“Art? You just do it!” - Martin Ritt
Photo courtesy: @eugenelagana
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