It's best if you visit ...

There's no substitute for seeing things in the flesh (or the clay, the fabric, the canvas, metal, wire, paper or wood since we're talking about the Blackberry artists' gift shop).

So please come and visit us, tucked in the corner of the Port Moody Arts Centre on St. John's Street. We promise a warm welcome from a genuine local artisan-in-semi-captivity (we don't bite) and a wide range of beautiful unique gifts for you, a loved one or those you wish to impress.

A visit in person makes it all much clearer.

See you soon :)

Wordless Wednesday: Macro Moment

detail from stained glass work by Margret Billings

Seeing Dots?

Wondering what the new addition in the City Hall display case is this month (not seen it? go now)?

All is revealed - it's  a QR code.

Just flip open your smartphone and open your QR Reader app (available for both android and Apple OS) then scan the little square. 

After a few random blips and electronic pings your browser opens to the Blackberry Gift Shop website.

Just like magic!

For those of you who are more security concious, try an app like Norton Snap which automatically screens the destination website before opening it on your device.

September at City Hall: Karen Bagayawa

This month's display at City Hall is mixed media artist Karen Bagayawa.

As usual, all pieces on display are available through the gift shop. Please phone 604 931 2008 ext. 102 to arrange purchase.

Wordless Wednesday: Flower Garden

wire crochet flower pendant by Amanda Maxwell, $26

September's Featured Artist: Vicki Allesia

 This month's featured artist is Vicki Allesia. Not only is she an incredible painter but she also finds the time to prepare Blackberry Artist's Society meetings minutes and agendas as our board secretary.

Vicki paints wonderful views of our local area, often using scenes from Indian Arm as her inspiration. Her style is so lush that I feel pangs of jealousy when I see where she's been!

And here she is, in her own words and pictures. I can't be the only person wanting to see evidence of the outgator in the shop?

1. How long have you been an artist?  Since my first drawing of an “outgator” at age 4.  School and interludes of “real” work sadly infringed on my career.
2. Where did you train? Here and there… Cal State Long Beach (Fine Arts), Shadboldt Centre (Watercolour), Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Acrylic and Mixed Media continuing studies)
3. Do you work in a studio or at home? Yes.  I have a wonderful large studio in my home, and a magical, high in the trees studio at my Indian Arm cabin.  Both built by my creative and supportive husband.
4. Do you work as an artist full-time, part-time, or do you squeeze in the creating as a hobby?  Definitely the squeeze, though it is more than a hobby for me.  I am interested in professional development in my artistic skills as well as management of my sales and shows.  My 8 years as Executive Director of the Port Moody Arts Centre gave me a unique perspective on arts management and administration.
5. Describe how a piece progresses, from first inspiration to finished object in the gift shop. Mostly I see something in nature that I love and photograph it.  Sometimes I am lucky and the light is perfect, sometimes I have to wait for the morning or evening light.  I like sun, and deep shadows.  I usually wind up cropping my photo to get a good composition.  Quite often I will do a small (6 x 6” or 8 x 8”) canvas first, then if I feel the idea merits it, I paint a large version.  I generally transfer the compositions by using a grid.  I’ve been having fun with the colours left behind on my palette by working them into small abstracts.
6. What's your favourite piece to make?  I think I would have to say my 24” x 24” x 3” gallery wrapped, extra thick canvases.
7. Who inspires you, and why?  The Group of Seven, Tom Thompson, Gordon Smith, my fellow Blackberry and Port Moody Art Association artists, my family, my greyhound—you have to be in love with what you paint and some of my favourite pieces have been of my kids, my nieces and my dog.

Summer good bye

copper leaf earrings by Urszula Petrykowska, $50

woven wire earrings by Luci Gimenes, $30

Summer good bye.

"Roses their petals shed.

Apples are turning red ..."

The leaves are turning on the trees and will soon carpet the ground beneath.

Pack away the kayak and lock up the cottage.

Get ready for Fall.