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September 15, 2008 | Tips from Us > Salt Spring Island, Artists & Art Galleries
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I have found it! The perfect Salt Spring Island art for me. Not a watercolour or a pastel. Not a wood carving or metal statue. Not a poem or pretty photograph or elaborate woven basket or simple wool shawl. Of course, there are lots of those to be had though. My favourite art on Salt Spring Island is of the soft, mushy, melt in your mouth, can't stop eating variety - cheese!
Hand made Salt Spring Island goat cheese, in fact. A soft, delicate chevre that grabbed my heart and soul and left me wanting more.
On our first day on the island we rode our motorcycle up to the farm shop (newly paved roads are a plus) and bought two flavours - Garlic and Basil. On the second day we were back for more, tried Lemon and Pepper, but bought Chili and White Truffle. By the third day we were highly addicted and managed to grab some White Truffle from a local grocery store on the other side of the island before heading back to our cabin for the feast.
Day four - you guessed it - three packages of White Truffle, a loaf of artisan bread and a bottle bought from a nearby winery. Full on addiction had set it.
David Wood, the "head cheese" (pardon the pun) officially recognized us on day four and gave us a welcoming smile that I have to believe is as famous as his cheese. The dogs ran up to us like old friends.
The Salt Spring Island Cheese Company is open daily. I recommend going in the morning to grab a cup of complimentary coffee and relax on their inspiring patio before indulging in your first, but not last, bite of cheese.
August 29, 2006 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Artists & Art Galleries
Find more information about Victoria, Artists & Art Galleries
The first thing I notice as I walk into room #308 is the amazing array of artwork. The immense
Roy Henry Vickers carving of a Tshimshian Halibut and Octopus Red Cedar House Post dominates the entrance way. An original Jack Shadbolt collage, Birds in a Tree #2, is tucked away in the corner of the living room, humble in its place, yet bursting with colour. The
Toni Onley in the dining room is, unfortunately, too big to stuff into my suitcase and take home, like shampoo and shower caps.
To say I am in awe would be an understatement. I am standing in the middle of a private art gallery / hotel room, filled with the work of famous B.C. artists - who wouldn’t be drop-jawed? And then there are the antiques. Original Louis Vuitton luggage in the bedroom. Asian dressers with secret drawers. Light fixtures, vases, butlers and books. Too many to place in time.
I can easily (and literally) see why the renovated heritage hotel, the
Swan’s Suites Hotel, is known as
Victoria’s “Art Hotel.”
The next morning, in the
Brewpub where breakfast is served, I spot three Toni Onley watercolours in the entranceway, and many Firs
January 4, 2006 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Artists & Art Galleries
Find more information about Vancouver, Artists & Art Galleries
The
Vancouver Art Gallery has changed the night that admission is by donation. Previously on Thursdays, now you need to go on Tuesday nights from 5 to 9 pm to get the deal.
October 17, 2005 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Artists & Art Galleries
Find more information about Vancouver, Artists & Art Galleries
Here is something cool. Yesterday I took the family to the
Vancouver Art Gallery and it just happened to be
supersunday, which meant Family Day. There were kids everywhere, so I didn't feel too bad when my son started to do somersaults in the Chinese Paper Cutting exhibition room.
Since he is only four, I also didn't feel too bad when he decided he had enough of the
Picasso exhibit after a rushed five minute walk through the first floor. Fortunately, there was a mound of a million pennies on another floor that caught his attention enough to convince him to stay. We managed to extend our adventure by participating in one of the hands-on art projects for the kids – tracing our family history with a map of the world, shiny stars and felt pens. Supersundays are the third Sunday of every month and Picasso is showing until January 15, 2006.
September 30, 2005 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Artists & Art Galleries
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When I prepare myself well for a trip, I appreciate the journey more. Practicing a few words in another language helps me communicate. Understanding the geographical formation and history of a particular region helps me appreciate viewpoints.
I started my preparation for a visit to
Emily Carr House in
Victoria over a year ago, knowing, like Emily, I could only appreciate the fullness of the trip if I developed a deeper connection to the subject. Emily Carr, a famous Canadian painter and author, was born in Victoria, lived in Vancouver and traveled throughout the BC coast up to Alaska.
Yesterday, when I finally stood in her garden, I was shrouded in the layers I accumulated from hodge-podging together pieces and experiences that touched Emily’s life in one form or another. Here is what I did over the last year to prepare for a trip to Emily’s garden.
1. First, I read The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. In my opinion this book presents a good visual of British Columbia life at the time, and set a vivid, colourful stage of Emily’s puzzled and courageous life between 1871 and 1942.
2. Next, I read Klee Wyck, by Emily Carr. This is her own account of her travels as she ventured along the coast to paint. Klee Wyck is the aboriginal name given to Emily by the First Nations People in
Ucluelet; it means "laughing one."
3. I have spent many hours wandering through the
Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. I love seeing first hand the totem poles and artefacts of the myriad of First Nation groups throughout BC. I tell everyone to go there. Often.
4. Emily C