Canada Inspires Us

A post I wrote for the Blackberry Artist's Society blog.
Canada Inspires Us:

Although we are a Tri Cities Port Moody-based artist cooperative, our members are inspired by a whole lot more than their immediate environs.

Take this incredible mixed media piece by artist, Vicki Allesia for example. It's entitled "Future of Attawapiskat" and here's its story from the artist herself.

"Future of Attawapiskat was inspired by a Vancouver Sun article and photo of the Attawapiskat reserve regarding the struggles of the band and the government to achieve a basic standard of living on this neglected reserve. Although the photo portrayed the cold bleakness and desperation of the isolated community, my eye was drawn to the warm colours and interesting shapes of the dilapidated structures.  Reading about the convoluted issues made me realize that there is a depth and complexity in the situation that I tried to portray through interesting textures created with used dryer sheets, frayed cotton, tissue paper and excerpts torn from the Vancouver Sun article itself.  I deepened and warmed the original colours that had drawn my interest and set the whole in varying shades of white. The final flecks of gold indicate a flicker of hope for progress."

Canada Inspires Us

Although we are a Tri Cities Port Moody-based artist cooperative, our members are inspired by a whole lot more than their immediate environs.

Take this incredible mixed media piece by artist, Vicki Allesia for example. It's entitled "Future of Attawapiskat" and here's the story from the artist herself.

"Future of Attawapiskat was inspired by a Vancouver Sun article and photo of the Attawapiskat reserve regarding the struggles of the band and the government to achieve a basic standard of living on this neglected reserve. Although the photo portrayed the cold bleakness and desperation of the isolated community, my eye was drawn to the warm colours and interesting shapes of the dilapidated structures.  Reading about the convoluted issues made me realize that there is a depth and complexity in the situation that I tried to portray through interesting textures created with used dryer sheets, frayed cotton, tissue paper and excerpts torn from the Vancouver Sun article itself.  I deepened and warmed the original colours that had drawn my interest and set the whole in varying shades of white. The final flecks of gold indicate a flicker of hope for progress."

wordless wednesday: new shoots

stained glass leaves by Margret Billings

Eco Green

Green is not just a colour in the gift shop; green is also a way of thinking for our packaging. Although we do supply new tissue paper and bubble wrap to securely package your purchase so it makes it safely home, we do have a range of cloth gift bags at your non-disposal. Once used for gift wrapping, these beautiful drawstring bags can be used for more gifting or for organizing the contents of your purse, for example. I've also seen them in action as iPod holders and cell phone pouches.

I'm sure you can come up with many more ideas - why not add them to the comments below!

Look for the gift bags on our point-of-sale table and on the rack on gift shop shelves.

Wordless Wednesday: Thoughts of Spring and Easter

hide the chocolate eggs in this stunning dragonfly jar by Myrta Hayes

wordless wednesday: critter adoption on a green theme

green jade swan by Tom Reid

Little Houses for Fairy Folk

the elf-next-door by Pat de Couto

In honour of St. Patrick's Day, the gift shop is proud to announce its real estate division. We have a fine selection of tiny houses for the fussiest of fairies, beautifully handcrafted in cottonwood bark by master architect, George Blackstock.

All properties feature their own tiny front door and many are well appointed with step ladders up to the entrance. Windows, rustic roofs and multiple storeys are standard with all available homes.

Please ask our trained realtors for an exclusive tour of these most desirable of residences; we can guarantee a move-in date by the end of the month, if not sooner.

Buy now before the elf-next-door gets there first!

March's Featured Artist at City Hall

This month's artist occupying the display case at City Hall (just up the stairs in front of the reception desk to the council offices) is Pauline Doyle.

Pauline's ceramic work is fun, quirky, unconventional, practical, decorative and, did I mention? fun!

Please do take the short hike up the stairs to see her stegosauri and frogs in residence among squishy soft boxes and jelly beans.

Yes, I did say jelly beans.

As usual, all work is for sale through the gift shop (phone 604 931 2008 to make arrangements).

By the way dear reader, what would be the easiest method for you to buy and collect purchases from the City Hall display case? Please leave a comment below this post on the blog, or reply by email giving your suggestions. Thank you.

wordful wednesday: green's the theme

green shamrock card by Valerie Gilbert

Green's the them for this month - green St. Patrick's day, green for spring just around the corner (!), green for eco-awareness, green for all the moss growing in our abundant rainfall.

Enjoy the green in the gift shop :)

March's Featured Artist: Cathy Rycroft

This month our featured artist in the gift shop is Cathy Rycroft whose work adorns a variety of non-traditional mediums not usually associated with 2D painting.

As you look around the display you'll notice that her incredible lifelike animal portraits are framed on stone and wood slices. One amazing piece figures a cougar on a semi-translucent moss-agate-like slab.


Cathy generously answered some questions for us on the blog. Read on!


How long have you been an artist?
I have been painting for over 25 years.

Do you work in a studio or at home?
I have always painted at home having a studio in home is the best solution to a busy life, I can go up to the studio and everything is layed out and ready to go.

Do you work as an artist full-time, part-time, or do you squeeze in the creating as a hobby?
I stay busy with commission works most of the year so try to paint for 1-2 hours every day.

What's your favourite piece to make?
My paintings on stone and wood burls are some of my favourite pieces as I prepare the stones and wood myself and enjoy working with the natural materials, then I take some time looking at the piece and kind of let it's size shape and color help me to decide what I will paint on it.

Who inspires you, and why?
My love of horses and nature inspire most of my artwork. I love all sorts of art and have a real appreciation for the work that goes into all forms of art. I am inspired by many artists and the list grows larger all the time; from the masters to today's newest artists, each one shows a person who has taken time from their busy life to sit down and focus their energy on a piece of work that will be seen by many and criticised by some. That is courage !!!!