Bridal Veil Falls (noun, not verb)

Not particularly sunny outside today, but I just had to get out of the house.  At about 3:00pm, after jiu jitsu class, a piano student and a short, but luscious wee nap, I hit the road.  

I had no plans, just jumped in the car and headed east on Highway 1.  I always keep the things I find essential in the back of my vehicle:  sketch book, pencil, rubber boots, rain jacket, umbrella, pillow, blanket, candle and yes, a wine opener.  

As I passed my home town of Chilliwack, I thought of Bridal Falls (FYI, we 'locals' don't always use "Veil" in the title) and how I haven't been there since I was a kid. 

As I mentioned in the video, the poplar tree fluff was oddly suspended in the air - looked real ethereal - too bad I didn't catch it before the breeze picked up and changed that particular aura. Too bad this video is actually too small to see things clearly...

I parked my car, donned my rain jacket (just in case), pocketed my camera and stepped out into a marvelously fresh and mossy aroma.  Before going anywhere, it was a definite MUST to stop right there and take a full moment to close my eyes and breathe it all in to spark my senses.

The sign said:  "Bridal Veil Falls, 15 min".  Well, it wasn't even that, and I arrived at the base.  

Ah yes... this is it [insert nostalgic smile here] ... remind any of you guys from CSSS of the 1983 school year book cover?  Well, that's the first thing that popped into my head at that very moment... here's my similar photo of that cover:

Remember?

I started my decent to do some more exploring.

Heading back to my vehicle:

  

A simple, spontaneous mini adventure that guided me to unexpected memories while renewing my spirit and reviving my senses.  An afternoon well spent.

Obsession with the Sky

I have been intrigued by the Sky's patterns for some time now.  

Various times in the day, change of weather and seasons brand the Sky as a marvelous artist.  I hope She doesn't mind that I took liberties to alter photos of Her original expressions, but using iPhoto at times was just too tempting to pass up...

Vancouver Sky:

Arizona Sky:

Italian Sky:

Abbotsford Sky:

...besides, I believe that seeing as the Sky's masterpieces change so constantly, surely She won't mind me capturing Her creations and adding a bit of "me-ness" to them to share with you.

A Little Change of Attitude

I was in downtown Vancouver today, around Main and Hastings.  I was stuck in the left lane behind someone who decided to turn left at the last minute (that REALLY burns me - "Oh, let me see how many people I can pile up behind me, then I'll turn my left signal on" - ).  

As I stewed on low heat for a moment, my pot was stirred by the addition of a pleasant ingredient:

Yes, it was the happy bus.  I've never seen this patchwork transit monster before, but it sure made my day.  

Seeing as I was waiting anyway, I decided to take a picture.  Now I'm smiling all over again.

I forgot about my stew and decided to throw it out.

Evening Glow

I met a friend tonight for a beer at the Watermark Restaurant.  I've never been there... it's located in one of my favorite places in the city,  on Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver.  We talked a little about this and that... business, art, photography & some light talk about past moments in life.  I had a good time.

As we stepped outside and said goodbye, I turned left down the path and walked toward my car. 

I took a glance to my right to look down the beach and I knew I had to dig (and I mean DIG) around in my purse to find my camera.  The sky was glowing around Cyprus Mountain and the beach sand had a warm reflection from the night sky and restaurant lights behind me.

As I looked around, it seemed like everything had this same warmth emanating from it.  The moon wasn't full, but I suppose my senses were.

It began as a nice evening and surely ended just the same.  

Emerging from the Procrastination Tunnel

I don't know what it is. I start off energized and excited about getting a painting started. I love drawing out the image and composing it on the board.

After I do the ground work of the black base, then I block in my color choices. It's all good... in fact, it's fantastic! I'm on a roll... nothing can stop me!

Then, then there is this horrible stage that almost always emerges. It's the real decision making time. What kind of sky? Day? Night? Sunny? Cloudy? How do I want to develop the rocks (because they will reflect the nature of the sky)?

Half of the problem is that I get so enthralled with all my ideas, that I start too many paintings at one time and overwhelm myself. I know this. But I do it every time.

This time I had eight on the go at once (which is not at all unusual). After my inevitable bout of hair pulling and indecision, I had to put four away (their backs to me so I cannot see them - in fact, they are in another room). I will rediscover them after I finish the first bunch of four.

So after a few days of languishing, anaylzing, shrugging and doubting myself, I somehow emerge from this tunnel of procrastination. Although, it doesn't feel like I'm actually procrastinating because I seem to spend a lot of time thinking... thinking, then thinking some more. I'm not quite sure what good it does, but none-the-less, that's what I do "Dream a Little Dream" 18" x 36"

Now, tonight, I have finished these four and will deliver them to Lions Bay Art Gallery on Friday.

"Early One Morning" (left)

24" x 6"

"Quickening of the Nite" (right)

24"x 6"

"Conducting the Symphony of the Sea"
36"x36"

Now, I'm tired. But surely I will begin this process all over again after I finish the other four paintings that were banished earlier to make way for these four.

An Unexpected Day

It's been foggy for the past few days here at home in the Valley, on the West Coast as well, but yesterday (Saturday) it finally burned off, or blew away, or whatever it does.

Seeing as the sun was shining and the air was crisp, I decided to go for a mini escape out to Vancouver.   

As I drove along the highway further into the city, the fog started up again in thick patches. I felt a little disappointed as I wasn't going to see the sun glistening off the ocean, but I kept driving, looking forward to getting out of the Valley.

I arrived at Dundarave in West Van. at about 2:30pm, parked and breathed in the heavy air.  I imagined I didn't know the area or what lay beyond the bank of fog that blanketed the ocean.

The sound of the fog horn was consistent and comforting. 

Mist surrounded the pier and Beach House, stuck to the trees like cotton candy... Mystical, mesmerizing, mysterious... 

I hadn't walked in this neighbourhood for about 15 years or so and hadn't seen the mini art displays imbedded in the rocks just outside the sea wall path.

Small tiled mosaics sporadically decorated the piles of rocks beside the walk.  They were the colourful bits of joy that made me smile and think of only good things.

My smile turned into a private chuckle when I neared these driftwood reptiles propped up on the beach facing me and the passers-by.  

The afternoon was refreshing for all my senses.  The sunny day I was expecting to experience turned into a whole 'nother one.  Somehow I just saw things differently...