Mayne Island May Day Celebrations

May 21, 2012May 21, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 16 Comments

Mayne Island May Day celebrations on Saturday were an amazing colourful and entertaining event where a mime artist helps us wait for the fun to start

children grow wings for the day,

a queen is crowned with a garland wild flowers,

adult cloths are layers of frolicking miss-match

and shoes go missing as the community dances together in circles

while all is softly punctuated with very short greetings from our federal MP the Honourable Elizabeth May.

But what is this Mayne Island celebration with its dancing around the May Pole and organized each year by the Mayne Island Conservancy ?

I could tell you but a Mayne Island musical group Jaiya has an incredibly detailed post that will fill your cup with delightful details.

There are more of my photographs for your viewing pleasure in my smugmug album that is dedicated to this event.

Also, our good friend and writer Leanne Dyck has a special post that has a photo-essay of even more about what was happening on this special Mayne Island day.

Happy May long weekend from Mayne Island, British Columbia Canada!

SPROUT: If you could come to the Mayne Island May Day celebrations next year what will you be wearing?

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Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Mayne Island Super moon on May 5 2012 (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Hanging at the Bennett Bay Bistro (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Second Hanging – this time at the Green House Bar and Grill (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

From Moonlight to Nomads Essentials

May 9, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 19 Comments

On Mayne Island we are flexible. We can go from shooting the moon to finding natural solutions for smelly feet in one blog post. Not bad eh?

First, allow me to welcome all the new people who have subscribed to Creative Potager as a result of “Mayne Island Super moon on May 5 2012” being Freshly Pressed yesterday. It is a pleasure to have you join our creative community.

So now back to smelly feet. Well, not really smelly feet but it is one of the many things you might want to discuss with the owner of Nomads Essentials, Barbara McIntyre, here on Mayne Island off the southwest coast of Canada.

Some of you may remember that Barbara has shared the space with me to show our photography at the Green House Bar and Grill for the past 1.5 years. But even if you don’t remember, that is okay because I do. I also remember that it was with her encouragement that put my work up in this venue. Now she is off on a new adventure and I want to be the first to share it with you. Welcome to her new store located on the right side of The Root Seller Inn in downtown Miners Bay.

Isn’t it just gorgeous!?

Nomads Essentials will have its grand opening on Saturday May 12, 2012 between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm

Barbara is the most warm, caring and giving person who I am overjoyed to call my friend. She is often making things upside down right

particularly when it comes to the “Four Rs” of reduce, reuse, recycle or refuse. This is not always an easy task when providing body and home products designed for the contemporary nomad. But she does it with a creative flare many would envy. She views her new store as she does herself – a work in progress.

Barbara as you might guess is not new to providing us with her artisan products. My first purchase of Barbara’s wares goes back several years and it was a bar of her handmade soap. Sometimes I get one in fancy gift wrapping if it is for a present.

But if it is for me, I get it start up with one small band of recyclable paper identity card.

Out of curiosity, I asked what was her best seller? I was sure the answer would be her bath salts but I was wrong. It is her Reclined Bed Freshener.

Yes, I did bring home some to try.

But what about sore muscles from hiking or kayaking around the Gulf Islands?

Chapped Lips from the sun and sea breeze?

Moths in the closet where you store your best outdoor wool sweater for watching the sunset over at the lighthouse?

Or chocolate that is delicious but won’t melt in your pocket on a warm day clambering up to the view from Henderson Hill?

Or huh-hum… those smelly feet as they exit your summer sandals?

I promise you that Barbara can fulfill almost any nomads essential needs for body, mind and spirit. Speaking of spirit, I was most amazed at how Barbara’s photography shows up as part of her signature being when displayed in an environment where she has carefully chosen the colours for Nomads Essentials.

Just beautiful!

As you can see, we are very flexible here on Mayne Island as we go from moonlight to smelly feet to twinkle toes. Now you will have everything you need to come along with me on my next photo shoot. Oh! Better bring your camera. I didn’t notice any at Nomads Essentials. But then again, I am sure I didn’t notice everything. It is always good to leave a thing or two for others to discover 😉

Thank you Barbara for allowing me to share your new store with Creative Potager and I wish you all the best with this new adventure. Warm hugs as always and we shall see you again on Saturday at the grand opening of Nomads Essentials!

SPROUT: What are your personal nomadic essentials?

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Mayne Island Super moon on May 5 2012 (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Hanging at the Bennett Bay Bistro (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Second Hanging – this time at the Green House Bar and Grill (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Great Blue Heron and the surf (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Mayne Island Super moon on May 5 2012

May 6, 2012January 2, 2018 / Terrill Welch / 189 Comments

What a moon! What a Saturday night day night out here on Mayne Island, British Columbia Canada. A crowd of about a dozen people joined me at Seaview Beach in Bennett Bay for the moon rising. It is the first time in my five years of living on the island that I had company join me on a photo shoot. Quite festive really and great to see others out capturing the experience first hand as well.

But let’s begin at the beginning shall we. A long time ago on May 1, 2012 I was out in the evening on Reef Bay – a pleasant evening though there were rain showers in the distance.

It was then that I looked up and saw this amazing moon high in the sky.

I had been seeing things posted here and there about some super moon. So I said to self – what if you made a plan to see if you could do a Mayne Island photo shoot of the super moon? Would that be a good idea? Self answered – but you know very little about night photography. I informed myself that there was no time like the present to start learning and I reminded myself that I always learn best by doing. With a frown and shrug Self agreed.

The next few nights were cloudy and though I went out and managed to capture the light on the shore at low tide.

No moon. So instead I read about photographing the moon. It was recommended to have something large in front of the moon to emphasize its grand size. This might not happen here at Reef Bay, plus I was likely to get house lights in the foreground if I was guessing the right place where the moon would come up. Where should I be then? I though and thought and on the evening of the May 4th I went to Seaview Beach in Bennett Bay.

But thankfully the moon wasn’t rising on this side of the view with those heavy clouds. Thunderclouds rolled through swishing their wet skirts across the sky last evening. The moon was well up in the sky before the sun kissed him goodnight.

So with after taking this shot I knew exactly where I wanted to be for 8:39 pm on May 5, 2012 to watch the super moon rise. I cast one of my best spells for a clear sky though heavy cloud had been predicted. I check the weather first thing Saturday morning. Yes! It was suppose to be mostly clear this evening. I arrive early at 7:30 pm with a book and watch the evening settle in around me. An otter swims by and the small swallows dart across the water. The tide is in and I am ready for the magic to begin. Just before the prescribed time of the moon rise, to my surprise I started to get company. For the first time in my five years living on Mayne Island others joined me to also photograph the moon and to simply watch it rise with rattles, chants and sage given in offering. It was quiet festive really and nice to share the moment with others. But the super moon, I am guessing you are waiting to see the super moon right?

The super moon starting to appear…

Then a cloud takes a taste…

Soon we have a super moon beam…

And so the super moon rose as seen from Mayne Island…

The light turns magically mauve as it the moon gets higher in the sky and beacon lights and boat lights shine dimly in comparison.

And now to conclude with one portrait shot of the moon alone in the night sky…

There you have it folks – the super moon of May 5, 2012 from Mayne Island.

SPROUT: When was the last time you courted the moon?

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Second Hanging – this time at the Green House Bar and Grill (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Hanging at the Bennett Bay Bistro (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Queen of Cumberland Ferry on a Morning in February (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

STORM COMING THROUGH original painting by Terrill Welch

April 25, 2012April 25, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 14 Comments

Winds howl as the rain slaps driving mist across the landscape. It takes fortitude, girt and a bit of foolishness to be out on a day like this. With shoulders hunched I yell against the beastly day with no effect. The sounds are carried away, across the water, through the trees – gone, like the day that will end in nothing more than a short, perpetual early dawn. Such is a winter storm in January off the southwest coast of Canada.

I’m not ready to make this painting available for purchase just yet. The painting and I are still discussing its current state of completion. If you want to know more about how this conversation is going you can read my account of the dialogue HERE on one of my G+ posts. When we have reached a mutually agreeable conclusion, the painting will be posted at the Artsy Home online Gallery with my other paintings that are currently available.

This a 24 x 36 inch oil on canvas and is my second attempt to capture one of these storms on canvas. Here is the first smaller study I did of just a section of this scene

(available for purchase HERE)

Pssst! May is just about upon us and you know what happens to me between May and September – even October right? I am less frequently online and in front of the computer. It is just the way it is. I wish you the best for the summer and will post as the opportunity presents itself. May you be digging your toes in the sand, tossing your hair in the breeze and enjoying the few short months of fine weather.

Good morning and the best of Wednesday to you!

SPROUT: If you could do any creative project you wanted this summer what and where would it be?

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Coastal Winter Storm original oil painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
RAINY DAY OUT ON THE POINT original oil painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
New paintings by Terrill Welch in the Artsy Home online Gallery (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Sometimes a photographer’s life is for the birds!

April 19, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 6 Comments

I am not a bird photographer. I am mostly a sea and landscape photographer – mostly. But those darn birds! They just keep getting in the way of things and what is a photographer to do? Take for instance this young Great Blue Heron refusing to stop stalking his fish no matter how close I sat beside him.

Then there were those bathtub toy-duck sounding squeakers – the pretty little Harlequin Ducks…

But it was the Red-wing Blackbird singing in the rain that really distracted me from the sound of the surf…

The clouds were waddling their heavy bellies slowly across the sky as the first drops fell. This red-wing blackbird just kept singing as I moved closer to capture his silhouette against the rain-laden clouds.

Those darn birds! 😉

SPROUT: What pleasant distractions have you found in your creative adventures of late?

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

RAINY DAY OUT ON THE POINT original oil painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
ORCAS IN EVENING original painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Great Blue Heron and the surf (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Say Yes Whenever Possible (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

A Few Clouds Over the Strait

April 12, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 8 Comments

Sometimes it is the simple wisps at the top of a thundercloud that can have a person’s eyes come to rest. Then there is the noticing of the distant light on the sea. In this way, a quiet scene becomes part of tomorrow’s dream – a gift really. The bits pulled together have little drama and not much of a pronouncement to make.

Yet, I linger over so little for much longer than expected.

SPROUT: What have recently held your attention much longer than expected?

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

A Friday on Mayne Island in January (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Great Blue Heron and the surf (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Edge of the Storm (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
The Coast is Clear (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

In the Rain at Cattle Point Victoria B.C.

March 30, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 9 Comments

With much harder rock formations than the sandstone found on Mayne Island, this urban seascape in the rain caught my attention yesterday when we were in Victoria. The clouds are low and soft rain is falling but the mid-day sun is pushing through a gentle light from above. Last evening’s high winds have passed and this heavy peace remains sprawled over the point.

(image available for purchase HERE)

As the name of this park suggests, this point was historically used to unload cattle for upland farms on Vancouver Island.

And an update on

Spring Studio Sale – Art is not ART until it is SOLD

As far as I know Sam Juliano from Wonders in the Dark did not win the big 500 million U.S. lottery last night so at the time of this posting all five paintings are still available for purchase. Thank you everyone who has shared the link to my spring studio event and for your kind words and interest in these paintings. There is still the better part of five days left and still time to decide or share the link with someone else you think might be interest.

All the best of Friday everyone! I see the sun poking through here in the Mayne Island quiet so sending a little your way.

SPROUT: What was the last rainy day moment that captured your creative energy?

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Mayne Island Rain Wind and Snow (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Edge of the Storm (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
When the Wind Howls (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Spring Studio Sale – Art is not ART until it is SOLD (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Tea Time

March 20, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 18 Comments

I was frustrated waiting for spring so went out to the covered courtyard and started up my wood cook stove to make a cup of tea. While I was there I oiled the cast iron and wiped it all down.

By the time the water had boiled and tea was made I no longer cared if it was spring yet. I sat and read my book by the stove and let the rain and hail fight with the sun for space in the sky.

However, a few days later we drove by the field that has daffodils in the spring. These daffodils are part of Mayne Islands’ present that meets its past.

The tree alone at the back of the field always captures my attention.

So it is now spring blustery March weather and all.

I am away with family this week and shall not be on line all that much but wish you the very best of the week.

SPROUT: Where do past and present meet in your life today?

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Edge of the Storm (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Mayne Island Rain Wind and Snow (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Edge of the Storm

March 15, 2012March 15, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 22 Comments

There was another wind warning yesterday. It didn’t amount to much. Sometimes this happens because Mayne Island is often on the edge of a storm as it sits where the swirly marks on the weather report change directions. But after the last storm we need some more butane for the little heater and cooking element. It is always best to be prepared. We are also low on groceries so I venture out – with my camera too of course. When I am done my chores I go to our favourite beach and see what I can see even though there is a light rain, a good wind and visibility ceiling is low. Yike!

I don’t think we will be going to sit out on the sandstone rocks today either.

(image available for purchase HERE)

Well that is enough of that! The rain is trying to blow into the lens hood and it is not particularly pleasant out here. Time to go make a hot cup of tea and nibble on that fresh Farm Gate Store bran and apricot muffin. I may muse awhile about the packages of seeds and spring plants I saw at the Hardware Store for awhile as well. It seems to be the best sign of spring we have seen for days. Oh, I guess I could work on packaging up the paper work for our taxes too. Hum. Let’s have tea and think about it.

Sprout: What seems so near but is far off on your creative horizon?

P.S. seems to be some trouble replying directly from email notices today. My apologies. I have checked the settings and everything seems to be in order. Hopefully the issue if fixed soon.

But this might help to make you feel at least a little better….

BROWSE THE WHOLE BOOK! For the next 48 hours you can browse my whole book PRECIOUS SECONDS – MAYNE ISLAND IN PAINTINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS plus I made it available on standard paper lowered the profit to $2.00 from $5.00 over the production price – creating a nice savings if you have had this on you wish list. Things will go back to usual pricing with a 15 page preview on Saturday morning. Make that cup of tea and enjoy!

Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.

Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Mayne Island Rain Wind and Snow (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
When the Wind Howls (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Coastal Winter Storm original oil painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Holding the Sea

March 9, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 10 Comments

The rain is steady this morning and the forecast is the same for at least the next five days. I have woke early, very early – 4:30 am to be exact. I have decided something. I have decided to shift my creative routine. Change it up if you will. Oh you might not notice to much of a difference as there is always something percolating to share. But I will notice the difference in my work flow. It feels a little like this photograph of the sea – holding.