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?

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)

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)

Second Hanging – this time at the Green House Bar and Grill

May 5, 2012May 5, 2012 / Terrill Welch / Leave a comment

A hanging of small proportions happened on May 2, 2012 at the Green House Bar and Grill. No it is not an act of violence on quiet Mayne Island this week but rather the unveiling of the second exhibit of my art work. This time it is a new collection of fourteen of my small photography prints and oil paintings.

Before I take you for a stroll around the restaurant to see what is here, let me introduce you to Shawn who prepared me the most delicious grilled salmon with green salad for lunch. Hanging a new show is hungry work you know 😉 Standing beside Shawn is the owner of the Green House Bar and Grill, Gerry McCulloch, who will serve you up a smile before you even have time to sit down.

So be ready for it should you have the chance to grace this warm and friendly establishment here on our small island. Now how about we have a look around?

These seven here are the main part of the show…

The two smallest oil paintings are only 5 x 7 inches. There is room for one of these in almost any suitcase, backpack or even a bicycle saddlebag. For those that are far way, the other three oil paintings shown here can be purchased from the Artsy Home Online Gallery. But for the little wee ones you will have to email me directly to inquire until I get a chance to get them included with the others.

Here is a couple more small oil paintings….

Again, the little one at the bottom is not listed in the online gallery yet. Soon, I promise but not yet.

And a couple of photography prints…

Most of the photographs in this showing are from my 2012 Earth Day Celebration collection and can be purchased in various formats and sizes from a special album on smugmug HERE. This collection includes some of my personal favourite of recent images of Mayne Island and neighbouring Gulf Islands.

Another small window to the sea over in the corner…

And here are the final two photography prints…

These piece will be shown until about mid July if you are on Mayne Island and want to stop in for nice meal and have a closer look.

Some places just feel like all the best parts of being at home. The Green House Restaurant is one of these places. It is a true honour and a privileged to have my paintings and photography prints contributing to this experience.

However, you may notice that the beautiful photographs of my colleague Barbara McIntyre are missing. This is the result of yet another hanging on Mayne Island that will be opening on May 12, 2012. On Tuesday, I am planning taking us behind the yellow tape so we can be some of the first to scene. Until then my friends may you have a chance to see the supermoon this evening while enjoying the simple and good things your life has to offer.

SPROUT: If you were going to do a creative hanging where would you most likely to perform the act and who would you invite to the scene?

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

Hanging at the Bennett Bay Bistro (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
ORCAS IN EVENING original painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Say Yes Whenever Possible (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Looking Over My Shoulder in the Studio (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
New paintings by Terrill Welch in the Artsy Home online Gallery (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Hanging at the Bennett Bay Bistro

May 4, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 10 Comments

No it is not a murder mystery. It is paintings – my large oil paintings on canvas are now hanging at the new *Bennett Bay Bistro* at the Mayne Resort on Mayne Island.

Summers are usually my busy time but you may ask – doing what? Well,during the summers our small island doubles in size with visitors and part-time residents and weekenders. This means getting my home studio ready for visitors and also put up new shows of my work in venues on the island.

The latest request came from Colleen Wadsworth, the owner of the Bennett Bay Bistro at the Mayne Resort. When she asked if I would be willing to hang some of my paintings on her huge wall in the Bistro I had to swallow hard not to drool before I said a simple “of course, what did you have in mind?” Colleen took this photograph just after we got the four largest paintings up.

It was most fun and a pleasure to see the work display together like this. I afraid, my small studio does not afford such a luxurious viewing of these paintings. Here is one of the smaller paintings which most of you will be familiar with hanging on the far wall in a space by itself.

But dear readers, I also want give you a glimpse of the view if you look the other way from these paintings.

Isn’t this lovely? Even on an overcast day like today it is inspiring. How about we go out on the deck for a minute?

All this is served up with a fresh, fresh tasty small Bistro menu that will grow as the number of customers grow during the summer. I will try to get back to capture Colleen serving up some of these sumptuous offerings soon.

An admirer on G+ recently said “I will not be there. I live in Denmark. I hope you will share your work on G+” I replied yes and that I could even do better than this. All of these paintings are available for viewing and purchase in the *Artsy Home online Gallery* and arrangements can be made to ship them to you wherever you are. Now how is that for service?

Tomorrow, I will share with you the new show of 14 small paintings and photographs that are now showing at the Green House Restaurant. So see you then!

SPROUT: What is filling your days with vibrancy and simple abundance?

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

Say Yes Whenever Possible (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
STORM COMING THROUGH original painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Looking Over My Shoulder in the Studio (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
RAINY DAY OUT ON THE POINT original oil painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

My gift to you of 12 landscape and seascape photographs for Earth Day 2012

April 21, 2012April 21, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 12 Comments

I was going to wait until morning but why wait? Why not start such a beautiful day of celebration early? Here is my gift to you of 12 landscape and seascape images in celebration of Earth Day 2012 for your personal use are available now.

View and download my gift of all 12 high-resolution photographs at http://terrillwelch.smugmug.com/Photography/Earth-Day-2012-licensed-for/22555682_37czZn#!i=1805146523

Of course, Earth Day is something I celebrate everyday. But for this special day of global recognition I wanted to do something extra – something that didn’t require you or I to necessarily reach into our wallets. I wanted to do something that was accessible to anyone with a computer. I wanted do something that I felt I could share with you that was respectful of our finite and limited resources. This is what I decided.

May these photographs provide you with years of personal enjoyment and reflection on our relationship with our earth and all that she provides for us. Please feel free to share this gift with others – Happy Earth Day 🙂

SPROUT: How will you be celebrating Earth Day on Sunday April 22, 2012?

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

And so we shall sleep – Earth Day April 22 (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
How Are You Celebrating Earth Day? (gadling.com)

And so we shall sleep – Earth Day April 22

April 20, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 8 Comments

When the evening light gets low it is as if the earth is reminding us to go to sleep. But Earth Day is a time I like to be wide awake. Earth Day is celebrated this Sunday April 22.

As I looked at this image this morning, I am pondering and thinking about what it is I can contribute this year to this very important day. My conclusion is that I shall make accessible 12 high-resolution images for personal use that celebrate my relationship to our glorious earth. I chose the number 12 as it would be one photograph for each month of the year.

What do you think? Does this sound like a good idea? Would you like this?

All the best of the weekend to you!

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

Waving at you from Mayne Island with Monet (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Earth Day: What color are you? (urbannugget.com)
8 Gorgeous Nature Blogs for Earth Day (tangentsky.wordpress.com)
Green Things for Earth Day! (pocampo.com)
Every Day is Earth Day (ecology.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)

Evidence of the Sea

March 27, 2012March 27, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 14 Comments

Yesterday, on G+ I shared an image “30 km per hour” that anticipates a view. It was also posted on Facebook so you may have seen it there as well. The perspective of this image of the mountains seen in the distance beyond the road and human clutter of power lines and the image I want to share today have something in common. They are both approaching “the view” indirectly. The beauty and mystery of the sea is only glimpsed rather than being the central visual focus of the frame. However, “the view” is still the emotional drive of both the images.

I haven’t made “Evidence of the Sea” available for purchase yet because it is still only an idea I am exploring. That idea is – what is the power of leaving the most tasty bits of a scene to the viewers imagination. Here the sandstone tells the story in vivid lines about the preceding tides and storms. It is calm and clear and beautiful by the sea today but in the evidence left behind on the sandstone we know it is not always so. I sense that we would miss the glee and delight of this gorgeous day if we had no reference to the dark gray, the freezing winds, high tides, hail and the snow during the weeks before. Tell me, would you feel this blue sea and sky as deeply if this was all that I shared with you?

SPROUT: How do you create depth of experience in your creative work?

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)
Holding the Sea (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Great Blue Heron and the surf (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.