Mayne Island

Mayne Island Backyard Bandit Capers

/ Terrill Welch / 8 Comments

 

 

Mayne Island is a quite rather bucolic southern Gulf Island off the west coast of Canada. But this island has also been known to have its share of mischief. There are roving masked bandits during the night that frequently get up to no good. It is worth keeping an eye out for them just to be on the safe side. Let’s see if I can assist you in knowing what you are looking for. Ah yes, here comes one now…

“Who me?” she says.

Yes you! We are talking about you Miss Curious Cat.

“Well how interesting” she softly growls.

But then she thinks “what else could I possibly expect with such frequent trips through their property?”

“Lovely evening isn’t it?” and she almost smiles before looking farther up the tree to make sure the children safe.

Three of these are hers and one is the baby of a good friend of hers who is guarding the bottom of the tree and too hidden by the underbrush to get an identifying mugshot. The tree is like a raccoon hotel at the moment with the guests swinging from the rafters.

I suspect that they stopped at the compost fruit and salad bar before coming up because they sure know how to be entertaining and silly. Raccoon tail hat anyone?

 

If you do see any of this masked bandits do keep your distance. These photographs were taken with a telephoto lens so you can get good look at them. They may look cute but are fierce and can be aggressive if cornered. If you note those powerful back legs it is easy to see why they can spring a good distance to attach if they feel threatened or their young are in danger.

SPROUT: Who have you recently caught roaming around your yard at night?

 

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

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Sold! Art and other adventures

/ Terrill Welch / 15 Comments

March 17, 2010 was the beginning of my  full-time painting and photography adventure. Starting with oils in my early teen years, I had been working in water colours for years and now decided to return to oils. These were not just any oils but water miscible oil paints. I always liked oil paints but not the toxic odor issues. About the same time, I purchased a good quality camera and began some serious shooting. In between painting and photographing I showed my work in both physical and online venues. To my humble surprise work sold and continues to sell. About 50 paintings and photographs are mostly with collectors in Canada and the U.S.A. But some have found their way to England, Switzerland and Australia. One of these is KEEPING WATCH a 36 x 24 inch of an almost iconic Mayne Island view.


I have now set up a specific SOLD! page at Terrill Welch Artist that has a few of these displayed together – not all as it would be too many – just a few. More of the photography and painting prints that are that have sold can be found in my redbubble storefront gallery where you will also see a gallery with 45 new painting details that have been specifically selected for greeting cards.  My personal favourite in this series is the detail of “Red Romance by the Sea” card.

But then there is the card from “The Sea to Me”

Or how about this one from “Pears by the Sea” ?

If you have an order of more than 16 cards there is a 30% discount which makes if an affordable option to gather a collection to have available for any occasion. With 45 different cards of painting details to choose from I am hoping you will find it easy to find at least 16 that will meet your needs and fill your heart with painting impressions.
It has been a good couple of years and a bit. But what now? A very good question. As midsummer leaves me with a lots of room to contemplate.

I am off on a bit of a solitary painting adventure which I hope shall lead me through to a new understanding and way of expression with paint. But one never knows. Sometimes these explorations just reaffirm and clarify the path we are already on.

However, it is not the paintings themselves that are at issue – rather it is my intention as I create them. When I am working things out like this the paintings are not usually keepers. They remain records and works in progress. Hence, for the most part I am more comfortable sharing bits of them – just so you know I am at work 😉

Thank you all for your patience and here is a detail from one of four painting studies I did over the last couple of days.

Happy Monday to you!

SPROUT: What is your personal practice when engaging on a new creative learning curve?

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

 

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Does anyone read blogs and does it matter that you write?

/ Terrill Welch / 29 Comments

Short answer: Yes they do and yes it does!

Sold – photography print on canvas  of  Building with a View #2  in series of five by Terrill Welch

(available for purchase HERE)

There is a wonderful story that goes with this sale. Yesterday, as I was standing on top of a bench-seat in order to hang a small painting in the Green House Bar and Grill here on Mayne Island,  I hear a woman say

“Are you Terrill Welch?”

I turn, raising my eyebrows slightly at the smiling stranger and reply “yes I am”

The woman came bounding forward.

“OMG! I read your blog all the time! I am from Edmonton and whenever it is miserable there I go to your blog. I love your work! It is such a pleasure to meet you!”

Her husband is more nonchalantly and says – before saying hello to me –

“Is this the blog you always send me links to at work and tell me I just have to see it?” and as his wife is nodding he then smiles at me and says hello.

She is laughing and says “oh I send your blog posts everywhere – to my husband, my dad, all my friends”

Teasing she adds “you are famous in Edmonton you know.”

(For those not familiar with Edmonton – population 752,412 in 2007 and it is in Alberta, Canada – right next to British Columbia and about a two-day drive away from Mayne Island. Many make this trip at least once a year and sometimes several times. Anonymity intact!)

Before the couple even get their lunch ordered, this piece is selected and set aside for purchasing when they were ready to leave. She was able to ask for it by name and fortunately it was one of the photography prints I had selected to show this time.

I tell this story because if, as an artist, photographer or writer, you ever doubt the impact of your blogging efforts and all the time you put into posting your work – think again. It does matter. It does make a difference in connecting your work to those who will and do enjoy it.

I had never met this delightful woman before. I did not know this reader as one of my regular readers who comments here on Creative Potager.  And the post with this photograph was made on February 19, 2010

https://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/simplicity

I allow those who have a subscription to my blog to receive the whole post so they can read it and share it – the consequence of this is the views do not show up in my viewing statistics. But none-the-less, she is a regular reader and was able to comment on past and recent posts with great joy.

A fine moment for any artist, photographer or writer.
Thank you, thank you to my dear reader who has quietly enjoyed these posts and shared them with her family and friends. Thank you to all those readers I have yet to meet. And thank you to those readers I know well and who comment and share my work regularly. You are wonderful! You are a joy! You make my heart glad to be alive!

 

SPROUT Question: __________________ (you decide:)

 

P.S. This wasn’t the only sale yesterday as I was putting up the new show – but that is another story! 😉

 

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

 

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How long did it take you to paint that painting?

/ Terrill Welch / 10 Comments

 

 

I’m still working on getting that show ready to hang. With a bit of luck I should have it up by this afternoon. This morning I am putting the hanging gear on the last six paintings. Then it is just a matter of pulling the venue consignment sheet together and loading everything up in the vehicle. So while I am sipping on that second cup of coffee I thought I would check in and let you know how things were going.

Art Studio Still Life photograph by Terrill Welch

This brings me to one of the hardest questions I find I ever have to answer as an artist. Can you guess what it is?

How long did it take you to paint that?

The question brings up this jumble of activity that goes into each painting. I know if I start to articulate that list it will either sound like justification or a whine.

Who wants to hear about the years of exploration of one colour – such as blue which I got just right between the sky and the water in this particular painting. Further, it seems unnecessary to explain how it can take several paintings to figure out a particular problem that has been satisfied in this particular painting. Or the days, weeks and months I spent meandering around until I found this particular composition which pleased me enough to pick up my brushes. Of course the trips to town by ferry to buy supplies, no point in mention that either. Then there is the photographing of the finished piece, painting the edges, getting it in the inventory program, posting it on the web and sharing in social media. The actual standing there painting the darn thing was the shortest length of time in the whole process. So I don’t say. Instead I have these rather vague answers that go something like this….

Oh, it took me a couple of months to get it this far – easy shrug.

I have been working on this particular challenge of getting the light to reflect for a while now… seems it worked well here.

If pushed –

The painting itself is actually the fastest part of the process. It is all the background work, preparation and finishing work that takes the time. Not unlike repainting the walls in your kitchen. Then there is the work of getting out there so people know that it exists. That is a whole other story. – big grin.

So there you have it! Thanks for hanging out in my loft studio with me this morning while I do up the last bit of work for the next show at the Green House Bar and Grill right here on Mayne Island.

Well that coffee cup is empty and I really must get to work. Have a nice day all!

SPROUT:  What creative process do you have difficulty explaining?

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

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HAYING original oil painting by Terrill Welch

/ Terrill Welch / 6 Comments

Recently, I have been photographing the haying process at one of our local farms. It brought back many memories from when I was still living at home in farming country. One of the images I captured really resonated with me and so I pulled out a canvas and set to work. The painting pretty much painted itself so I am going to give you just the end result this time.

A 14 x 18 inch oil on canvas  – available for purchase HERE

I was particularly pleased with how my star in the painting came together – the tractor! Here is a close look so you can see that it is just blobs of paint giving you a suggestion of a person on the tractor pulling a hay rake.

Haying time signifies summer in most farming areas in North America. This impressionist style painting holds the desire for coolness in the deep shade of the big tree yet directs our gaze to the heat in the bright sunlight in the fields.

 

SPROUT:  What summer activity sets your creativity to the sundial?

 

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

 

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An interview with Terrill Welch by Charles van Heck

/ Terrill Welch / 4 Comments

Every once in a long while someone reaches out and gently grasps your elbow to steer you over to a quiet spot where they can ask evocative questions. Such has been my experience in being interviewed by writer Charles van Heck! When someone is really listening in a deep and meaningful way I often have lots to say – so this in not a short read. However, I hope you will find it an interesting one. Enjoy!

Impression and Perspectives from Mayne Island
An Interview with Terrill Welch

at Whitman Pond Charles van Heck – Woodhull Arts Journal

Whitman Pond is the website of poet and author, Charles van Heck. Welcome to Whitman Pond, a fictional place that has had a long gestation.

I know that for those of you that regularly visit here you will enjoy discovering Charles van Heck’s website and his writings and interviews.

SPROUT: Who recently asked you such good questions that you didn’t realize until afterwards how much you had to say?

 

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

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Mayne Island Early Evening At Georgina Point

/ Terrill Welch / 14 Comments

This is a long story from not too long ago, far off on the southwest coast of Canada. The rain has been raining and we have been having grey days well into what should be summer in middle June. But on this particular evening about 6:30 pm or so the sky clears and the sun shines as if she hasn’t been missed. We look at each other. I grab the camera bag and David his sweater. We scramble into my old blue ford truck, Miss Prissy, which right now gurgles more loudly than usual with a small hole developing in the exhaust. About 10 minutes from our home on Mayne Island, Georgina Point Heritage Part and Lighthouse are our destination.

No this photograph was not taken on this particular evening. It is from late in May at about noon. I just wanted to show you where we are going to be situated for this particular story. You can park yourself on that bench there between the lighthouse and the flag pole beside David or you can wander along the rocky shore with me. Either way, it is a quiet evening with the flapping of the Canadian flag overhead being the loudest sound to be heard.

The grass is getting tall and is in full bloom. For those with allergies you will be glad the wind calm. I notice a rather large cedar stump has been marooned on the shore.

It is oh so still.

The sun is warm on our back and shoulders as the smell of the sea water drifts lazily upwards. It is a time of noticing simple pleasures like the crevices in the sandstone.

David seems to be enjoying his time on bench and blends nicely into our surroundings.

I seem to see a few of you have joined him there on his perch overlooking the Strait of Georgia at the entrance into Active Pass. No pushing now! Shhhh. We seem to be the only ones here. But this might not be entirely so. I decide to go back up by the stairs.

Did you notice them in the first photograph of the lighthouse? No this is not the way I came down. That would have been far too sensible. For those that followed me it is a good thing you had sturdy non-slip shoes on.

The large swinging yellow blooms are gone from the tree now but it is still lovely in the early evening light.

Not much to see really.

The sandstone is as always a constant muse and of pattern and light. We sit awhile picking up small sounds and movement that tell us we are not alone. A couple of seals cough and snort a little to the left.

They always seem to have a cold! A Great Blue Heron glides past…

landing at a favourite fishing hole a little farther off.

A shadow moves overhead as a young eagle sores past in the opposite direction.

It circles around and lands in a tall old fir tree and calls out to another feathered friend hidden in a tree a bit farther over.

The sun is warming the stillness as it seeps into those damp crevices down deep where you thought now weary water could reach. Shall we just sit awhile? Ah yes! So lovely.

Wait! What is that over on there on the rocks. Could it be? Yes, I think it is!

Do you see it? Near the top left! It is about the size of a small house cat but with shorter legs.

We are a pretty far away and these animals are fast and timid so lets use a little paintography to get you a closer look.

It is a mink. We have seen them before but never with a chance to raise the camera up and see what I could capture. They are very red here on the coast rather than the dark chestnut that I am used to seeing in the interior of British Columbia. Now for a little seaweed rub.

Who knows what it has gotten into. These fellows are always up to sneaky mischief. It is a good thing there isn’t a hen house near by! Well, one last look our way before it scoots off across the rocks.

Oh good gravy! Look at what time it is – way past your bedtime. Now off you go and if you are coming with us tomorrow remember to set out your raincoat.

SPROUT: Who last told you a long story just for the pleasure of telling?

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

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European Fallow Deer Mayne Island

/ Terrill Welch / 5 Comments

We had a nice surprise visit late yesterday afternoon on the valley floor below our house. These two buck Fallow Deer stood long enough for me to photograph when we whistled at the them. You may wonder what European Fallow Deer are doing on Mayne Island off the southwest coast of Canada and it is a good question. Sometime in the 1990’s they were brought here to farm and eventually a few got away which has led to the foreign immigrants becoming wild inhabitants on the island. Though they are extremely pretty they are not favoured by locals as they compete with the native deer for limited food. They are also much more fearful and wary. This is the best photograph I have been able to get in five years. Enjoy!

SPROUT: If you could see anything you wanted out of your favourite window in your home what would it be?

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

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Mayne Island May Day Celebrations

/ 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? 

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

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From Moonlight to Nomads Essentials

/ 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?

© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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

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