It is October, and winter, although still a ways over the horizon, is looming and threatening an extended period of being indoors. That means the possibility of lots of time in my studio which would be a good thing for my sanity. There is a problem though. I have run out of space to store any more paintings.
In an effort to remedy the situation, I have decided to have a sale of originals through my Etsy shop. For one month, October 7 to November 6, I am offering 20% off the listed price of all of my originals. It could be that you are interested in a painting that is listed on this website but not on Etsy but that is not a problem. Just contact me and I will rectify the situation.
I also offer free shipping on original paintings.
Thinking back, I realise that I had a pretty good and restorative summer. I had enough swims to keep me happy until next year. I had a few short local camping trips, a change of scene being the therapy I needed after so much Covid enforced stay at home time.
Because I have family near there, I visited picturesque Fanny Bay where a previous year, I had painted the estuary on a less sunny day.
Nootka Estuary oil on canvas 20" x 16"
Another favourite destination on Vancouver Island is Kitty Coleman Provincial Park just north of Courtenay. The usual peace and quiet that I find there was disturbed by an excavator hired by the local Salmon Enhancement group. A couple of dump truck loads of boulders gave the excavator something to play with (very noisily) to create a new pool for the salmon to hang out in. It was heartwarming to think of all the money being spent to help improve and maintain the salmon`s spawning grounds. I walked far down the beach to find some peace and quiet.
Ah, the ocean, the soothing quiet bliss of still water in the morning. I breathe in the peace before the machines start work at 8!
Above the campground, there is a small but delightful forest trail where tall maples caught my eye on a previous visit and the dappled light of the meandering creek also called out to be painted.
Every year I have to go out to Port Renfrew to camp at the Pacheedaht Campground. It is the ocean that calls me. From year to year, the beach is ever moving. The trees torn from Vancouver Island`s wild west coast by winter storms are battered and bruised by the time they are swept into the calm waters of Renfrew Bay. Cast up onto the beach by the surf, they have found their final resting place. Testimonial to their past magnificence their bleached bones thrust skyward out of the sand.
Although it is the ocean that calls me to visit, it is the inland views that invite me to paint them.
From the campground it is a short drive out to Botanical Beach. I clamber along the rocks and find wild flowers ruggedly growing out of minimal soil and bravely facing the often wild weather.
Mimulus by the Sea acrylic on canvas 24 x 36
Paintbrush Coast oil on canvas 24 x 24
So now it is fall, the big leaf maples are yellowing up their leaves to brighten our world as it darkens into winter. Some red leaved maples and oaks along with purple plums splash colour across the more urban landscapes. The flowers may be losing their battle with the rain but trees and berry laden shrubs are breaking through the monotony of green.
I hope you have enjoyed my blog today. It is kind of like a `How I spent my summer holidays` story. Now my mission is to decide which direction to take with the ideas that are bouncing around in my head. First things first though, I must create more space in my studio!
Have a lovely day!