for the BEES!

The spring sunshine is finally bringing us some heat and everything is growing so lush and green right now.  Flowers all seem to be blooming at once and amongst the bright petals I can hear happy buzzing — it seems the bees are just as happy as we are to finally feel proof that winter is over!  Even though spring seems to have only just begun, somehow summer seems to be nearly here.  Today we went swimming in the sea (first dip of the year!) and later I enjoyed a lazy tea on my deck, damselflies and dragonflies zooming all around.  For dinner we enjoyed a BBQ (on the deck again!) with baby birds chirping in the birdhouse above our heads and hummingbirds keeping us company.  It really does feel like summer….a trick, I know, as June is quite often cool and wet on our island.  But today I am am enjoying this little gift of sunshine!  One can almost forget that tomorrow we all have school and work to return to….

….and meanwhile, while we are working away, so are the bees!  I finished this piece this week in their honour!  Words taken from a vintage children’s book of poems seem to fit the mood, don’t you think?

gathering roses

You can see this wee piece in person at a SWEET group art show here on Gabriola Island.  FOR THE BEES is on display now until June 17th at  Hive Emporium.  Why not stop by and take a moment to see how we have been inspired to pay tribute to these important animals?

look at me

look at me

My octopus painting is DONE and I wanted to share a sneak peek with you!  I call it “LOOK AT ME” (in part because I cannot stop looking at her)! If you want to get a proper look at her, please come to the SQUARED Art Show happening this weekend on Gabriola!  If you cannot make it, all images go live (and can be purchased online) on Saturday!  My girls also have paintings in the show…Alex is done and Raena is nearly there…here’s a peek at theirs…amazing how somehow all our colours coordinate (and we all painted animals).

three pieces

weekend of art….and new calendars!

Every Thanksgiving Weekend, Gabriola artists are busy showing off their latest creations in the Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour!  More than 60 artists are registered with the tour this year and many more have their doors open to welcome you, including the collective of artists at the Pier Gallery! I am so proud to be a member of this collective and hope you will come by this weekend to see what we have been making.  You will find my new Year-at-a-Glance Poster Calendars for 2017 along with some holiday cards to help you get ready for the coming winter.

Here are the new designs for the coming year!  Can’t decide which is your favourite?  No problem….this weekend, anyone buying two 2017 calendars will get one 2016 calendar* for FREE (you can still enjoy it for the next 3 months).   As always, my calendars are printed locally on 100% recycled paper, 12 x 18 inches.  A cheerful tool to help plan your days!

After the tour calendars will be on sale in Nanaimo at Artzi Stuff and in my Etsy shop! You can also call me for direct orders (discounts when you order multiples of 5 or more).

 * while supplies last (ha ha, I sound so official)

2017 oystercatcher-eating-out2017 -bliss-2017-whale-tail-

While you are loading up on my calendars at the Pier Gallery, make sure to check out the many artists on the Thanksgiving Studio Tour down here at the south end of our ”Isle of the Arts”!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Hope your weekend is full of family, friends, feasting AND art!

holiday shopping – go local

So I made some cards for ME and then some of YOU asked for some too!  After a few special orders, I still have a bunch left to sell at the holiday craft fairs I am participating in over the next two weekends.  Come on by and grab a few and send some West Coast wishes to those you love!  Printed on 100 % recycled paper (as all my cards are), these truly are good for the Earth….and the Sea!  Please send me a note if you want a bulk order (and special bulk rate) on cards, or if you cannot make the holiday sales coming up.

send some peace and mark your page with a whale tail

I also decided to show you the entire painting (DIVE DEEP) in the form of a bookmark. Wouldn’t they make a nice pairing with the gift of a book (used book are the best kind to get, share your favourites around).   To top off the ultimate West Coast gift, you could add my DIVE DEEP calendar (also printed on 100% recycled paper).

dive deep 2016 calendar

You will find my PEACEFUL ocean creations Dec 12,13, 19 and 20th at the Pier Gallery Artists Collective (Panacea has the best stocking stuffers, hint hint Santa) and this Sunday at the DRIFT Home Show from 1 – 5 pm (come see where the magic happens at Black Bird Studios and meet a bunch of fabulous artists) .  Check out the links to see who is involved in each of these fabulous shows.

While you are out and about, check out the other craft sales happening on Gabriola over the next two weekends. The Agi Christmas Craft Fair is at the Community Hall this Saturday from 10 am – 3 pm.    Also this Saturday, Dianna Bonder will have her studio open for an Xmas Blast Open House from 10 am – 4 pm (the perfect place to get those books I was talking about). Another talented group of artists will be selling their wares at Christmas at the Roundhouse over the next two weekends from 11 am – 4 pm.  La Belle Vie Studio will be full of my friend Josee Velsen’s creations, so stop by while you are making your rounds (her homemade teas would be the perfect pairing with the books you are gifting and make sure you get some of your own to sip while you write Christmas cards). 

There is simply no reason to go to Nanaimo when you can get all your holiday shopping done right here on our amazing island.  Shop local and have fun!

P.S. If you are in Nanaimo and cannot make it over this way, check out the beautiful creations made by Katherine Moore at her Breeze On In Open House this weekend.  Or head downtown and see my art alongside so many other locals at Artzi Stuff.

celebrating world oceans day

Today is World Ocean Day and people all over the planet are celebrating and honouring the ocean that we love and rely upon!  I just spent the evening helping set up tables and tents for the community event happening on my little green island tomorrow.  Surrounded by a dozen excited volunteers, passing off a plankton net to a keen young university student, sunset on sparkling sea, feeling so grateful for all the love and energy going into this growing annual event! I hope you will take time today, this week, this month, and every day….to celebrate and protect your ocean!

created by The Ocean Project intern Gianna Pergamo

Tomorrow Gabriola Island will be putting on a great ocean show and we hope you can join the fun!  Ride the Community Shuttle for free to reduce your ecological footprint.  Look at, learn about and touch live ocean creatures from the deep.  Join in some ocean arts and crafts. Learn about organizations that are helping protect our watery world (and find out how to get involved).  Look at live plankton under a microscope.  Try out ocean kayaking.  Learn about safe shellfish harvesting, eelgrass, seaweed, forage fish, boat safety and more.  Bring a picnic and stay for the afternoon.  The event runs from 12-4 pm and everyone is invited!  My daughters will be volunteering at the touch tanks again — come on down and hear their ocean critter stories!

photo taken by Josee Velsen

P.S. Yesterday I organized the annual Oceans Day staff beach clean-up for DFO staff in Nanaimo.  We had so much fun making a difference (and stretching our legs and breathing in the fresh sea air).  I hope you might also consider planning a similar effort with your colleagues and families.  This year the World Ocean Day theme is “Together we have the power to protect the ocean”. Let’s all find ways to get together on this very important worldwide effort!  For more details on how to join a local event or to plan your own for next year, visit www.worldoceansday.org .