When Morning Comes

September 20, 2017 / Terrill Welch / 5 Comments

When morning comes, I like to go down to the sea, particularly after a rain when the mist rolls across the water and slips up through the trees.

Miners Bay Mayne Island British Columbia – after the rains.

The mist is not the same as our pinkish smoke-filled days from the summer’s forest fires.

McLeese Lake, British Columbia – reflections in the heavy smoke.

I can breathe loosely, deeply and freely in the mist.

I have a thousand, at least a thousand, stories to tell but they too have slipped through the trees with the mist.

Instead, lets take a breath and release it into the autumn coolness.

What are you wanting to release today?

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

Creative Potager – Visit with painter and photographer Terrill Welch

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

For gallery and purchase information about Terrill’s photographs and paintings go to http://terrillwelchartist.com

Early Autumn Misty Morning Blessings

September 30, 2013October 1, 2013 / Terrill Welch / 13 Comments

When September begins to draw to a close, early morning arrives much later for a photographer. It is almost a sensible hour to be out catching the first light of the day.

Sunflower maidens milk the scant light as they swing their heavy heads through the mist towards the drifting dawn. These beauties are both received and given as blessing one.

Detailed view and purchase of quality prints available HERE.

I am counting my blessings both received and given on this Monday morning and for every Monday following until the end of the 2013. This proposed practice has come about because of an invitation from Kathy Drue in her Lake Superior Spirit Blog post “Count our Blessings” blogging practice. Even though life can be contrary at times there is no particular reason for accepting her invitation other than, well, there are so many everyday ordinary blessing that I feel compelled to notice. Such as these sunflowers in the fog above.

The day’s colour is caught on the ridge and chases the mist across the field in a sparkling two-step. Autumn is almost upon us. She is not in her grandest finery yet. But her undergarments hold out a promise as we caress the landscape – seeking and hoping. Softly, her golden jewels remain slightly hidden from our wanting eyes. Her beauty is profound, hushing our pleas before we dare to speak. I bring her to you as my blessing two.

Detailed view and purchase of quality prints available HERE.

The poplar trees stretch as if they have an invisible string attached to their bushy early autumn crowns with the other end anchored in the heavens. It is too early for leaf-kicking and too late for a swim. But the trees give it no mind as they shine and shine through the morning mist. I bring these trees as my final blessing in threes.

Detailed view and purchase of quality prints available HERE.

These photographs were taken on September 23, 2013 at Sturgeon Point Farm, Vanderhoof British Columbia and the home of my parents. I am back on Mayne Island now and up late or maybe possibly it is now considered early 🙂 In any case, I shall release this post immediately and then be off to catch a few winks.

What Monday morning blessing are you feeling compelled to notice?

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

Creative Potager – Visit with painter and photographer Terrill Welch

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

For gallery and purchase information about Terrill’s photographs and paintings go to http://terrillwelchartist.com

Golden Plums An Apple And A Green Vase Still Life Painting (terrillwelchartist.com)
Haiku for Early Autumn (discoverjapannow.wordpress.com)
Recent sales of Terrill Welch oil paintings and pending price increase (terrillwelchartist.com)
Morning In The Kitchen – Small Abstract Painting by Terrill Welch (terrillwelchartist.com)
“Count our Blessings” blogging practice (upwoods.wordpress.com)
Sunday Night Thoughts of Blessings (onthehomefrontandbeyond.wordpress.com)

Overture in mist – the southern Gulf Islands in November

November 5, 2012November 5, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 21 Comments

Four o’clock in the afternoon the day before the time change in November 2012 the southern Gulf Islands rolled and heaved the light and mist across sea and land.The Mayne Queen has just left Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.

When I shared a few of the photographs on Google Plus a fellow artist C.J. Shane asked what music I heard. I replied – with my lungs filled with sea air and the mist leaving intimate jewels on my skin and hair, I heard the sound of the diesel engine of the small ferry and the rolling wake of the water along the occasional cry of the gulls. But if I was to think of music, it would be a classical overture such as maybe the Italian romantic composer Giuseppe Verdi’s 1862 , The Force of Destiny-Overture

Verdi – The Force of Destiny – Overture

There are great spaces of quiet with the seascapes building and building into these surprising moments where even the deepest breath does not seem to provide enough. It is like – breathe in and in and then exhale into such a sense of inner peace a person wants to hold themselves in that place for as long as possible. Then the tension of the landscape will start to build all over again as the mist and fog moves in its mysterious ways across the sky.

Alone in the mist…

in early November.

The sky rolling and heaving as if it is breathing and extended breath of awareness, inviting, demanding that I do same.

The golds of autumn are only hinted at beneath the cloak of November mist.

Mist is threaded across the landscape with such speed we are witness to the seamstress.

Hiding and revealing with equal wonder…

the southern Gulf Islands in November.

A welcomed beacon blinks against the lowering light.

Then land seems to escape from sea and sky – protruding in its deep and dark glory.

We move on to the outer edge of the November mist.

The hour, the moment has passed. Not the memory though. The moment is captured here in this overture in mist so we can breathe it again and yet again.

SPROUT: What music do you imagine would accompany your creativity?
P.S. none of these mist images have been made available for purchase yet. I need to let them sit for awhile before deciding which ones will go.

ONLINE GALLERIES with Terrill Welch paintings and photography include –

Xanadu Studio Gallery for large original paintings

Artsy Home for most original oil paintings currently available

Redbubble for photography prints, greeting cards and posters

Current Local Mayne Island VENUES –

Green House Restaurant – small original oil paintings and photography prints

Farm Gate Store – one large painting

And by appointment at Terrill Welch’s home studio

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 Artist website at http://terrillwelchartist.com

Autumn Sliced with a Tear (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Special Report on B.C. Ferries – Part 2: Gulf Islanders pay a price (nanaimobulletin.com)

When the Wind Howls

March 13, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 16 Comments

When the wind howls in the big voice of the southeasterly through our valley we listen all right. Well, I listen. David seems to be able to sleep through most anything, except me jumping every time a branch or fir cone is slammed onto our tin roof.

Such was our Sunday evening when I first heard the whipping of the branches. I listened. I got up and checked for a Mayne Island wind warning. Sure enough:

Southeasterly winds up to 80 km/h will spread to East Vancouver Island, Southern Gulf Islands, Greater Victoria and the Sunshine Coast early Monday morning.

The Southern Gulf Islands is us. The Weather Network confirmed what I already knew. We were in for a bit of weather. I send out a note here and there to let people know I may be off line due to power outages. You see, it has to do with these big fir trees that get blow around like reeds of grass in these storms. With the heavy rains we have been having the earth is soft and then against their best efforts over they go onto the power lines.

I head back to bed, sleeping lightly until about 5:00 am when the winds are really getting carried into a frenzy. The chair on the deck gets knocked over, cardboard boxes from my prints are flying around and it sounds like the roof is getting hit with machine gun blasts of debris. But the electricity is still on. I get up, make coffee and post my painting in our G+ with Brushes group gallery. The lights are flickering and my fingers rush. At 5:50 am the room goes dark. The winds continues to howl. I call down from the loft to David to turn on the battery lamp that is by the bed so I can see to get back down the stairs. I take it from him to read until daylight. He rolls over and begins to snore. I want to shake him! But I don’t. I take up vigil in the grandpa chair in the great room reading and wait for the soft light of dawn and the storm to end. Daylight comes and the storm continues.

Eventually, I notice someone is up trying to find breakfast while keeping one eye on the sky for falling objects.

She is braver than me. I wouldn’t want to be out there.

After a nice long sleep-in David finally gets up and decides he just has to have toast for breakfast. No problem.

In the early afternoon the rains come and I know the storm has about blew herself out. After awhile the rains stop and the mist starts to roll its beauty through the trees.

An eagle rests quietly. I exhale and say to self – well that wasn’t so bad. It is the same thing I say after having dental work.

We listen to CBC public radio on our excellent emergency transistor and hear that the winds reached 100 km/h and other than a roof being blown off in Campbell River, 300 marine emergency calls, ferries had been cancelled and tens of thousands of people without power, all is well. I make hamburger stew for supper and we visit by candlelight in the quiet.

Sometime during the night the power comes back on and David volunteers to get up and turn off all the lights we had switched on absent-mindedly during the day when they were not working. Then I sleep – really sleep, until the moon is shining in the window at 6:00 am this morning. Making toast is a little less like camping this morning.

SPROUT: How do you weather a creative storm?

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

High winds rock Metro Vancouver, cancel ferries (vancouversun.com)
Coastal Winter Storm original oil painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
High winds whip parts of B.C. causing blackouts, cancellations (canada.com)

No Hard Edges

February 17, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 10 Comments

Some days have no edges as light filters through the morning mist. We may want sharpness, clarity and defined perceptions, but on a morning like this we must trust and wait. I find it is not a hardship really as I notice the coastal mountains in the morning light across the Strait of Georgia.

(image available for purchase HERE)

Today is like this as I think about what I need to do before taking a few days off from much of my online community. I have tasks that need to be completed such as sharing my 15 versatile blogger awards following the recognition bestowed upon me by Laurie Buchanan at Speaking from the Heart and Leanne Dyck from The Sweater Curse. I sigh a little in the soft edges of time and when I might follow through. I want clarity but I must wait. It will happen but not for a while. For now, please do drop in and visit both of these inspiring bloggers and enjoy.

SPROUT: What is filtering through the misty edges of you commitments?

Best of the weekend everyone and I shall be in a few days with a story about my mother’s lipstick. Until then!

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

February Flight at Sunrise over Strait of Georgia (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Mayne Island Dawn of 2012 (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
A Whale of a Story (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

February Flight at Sunrise over Strait of Georgia

February 7, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 10 Comments

Everyone once in a while my heart seems to stop as I focus an image into the frame. I usually must click the shutter release at the same moment as this happens if I am going to capture it for us. Such is the case with this image of the sun rising over the Strait of Georgia…

(image is available for purchase HERE)

It is dawn on the west coast in February with a bit of fog for added mystery. Yes, it was taken shortly after yesterday’s image of “Queen of Cumberland Ferry on a Morning in February” Having just three seagulls fly up like that and being able to click the release for the shutter to get them in that perfect position is nothing short of a miracle. I know highly skilled photoshop users would put as many birds as they wanted wherever they wanted in an image. But this is not me. I have to do it the old fashion way.

SPROUT: What mysteries have you been able to capture lately?

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

ORCAS IN EVENING original painting by Terrill Welch (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Queen of Cumberland Ferry on a Morning in February (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Three Mayne Island photography landscapes go to Vancouver (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Queen of Cumberland Ferry on a Morning in February

February 6, 2012 / Terrill Welch / 20 Comments

It may have been super bowl Sunday for much of North America yesterday but for this Gulf Islander it was simply another lovely morning in the mist at Sunrise.

The Queen of Cumberland Ferry is just coming out of Active Pass and is heading to Sturdies Bay Galiano Island. These small ferries are an integral part of Gulf Island life. They are more than a mode of transportation between islands and to Vancouver Island. These ferries are where novels are read, naps are taken, friends are visited, books are written and meetings are held. These ferries are an extension of home on the islands and of our communities.

I remember the first time I road the ferry to Mayne Island when we were coming to look at what is now our home La Casa de Inspiracion. A woman had gone to the washroom and left her purse open sitting on top of the table. Middle-aged musicians were practicing for a performance they were going to do the next day beside us. A sleepy child was nursed by her mother as she listened. Another group had papers and pens in hand as they discussed something that I could not comprehend or accurately hear over the other noises of the diesel engine and the acoustic practicing. I thought to myself, in a few years this will be normal. I will be part of this life instead of an observer. And now it is so.

Tomorrow, I have another image to share from Sunday’s sunrise. A colleague said “I think this must take the prize for ‘my favorite Terrill Welch.'” I wonder if you will feel the same.

SPROUT: What aspects of your community show up 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

Mayne Island Dawn of 2012 (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Mayne Island Rain Wind and Snow (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Studio Tour Tomorrow (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

August morning mist at East Point on Saturna Island

August 22, 2011August 22, 2011 / Terrill Welch / 16 Comments

After two days of hiking and taking photographs on Saturna Island, this morning is our painting day. We had already scouted out where we wanted to be. But when we arrive, morning mist obscured the view.

However, it was gloriously magical. I spotted the old machine storage building behind the staircase which led me to complete a five piece study…

(image available for purchase here)

Interestingly enough it is this fourth composition with the field that viewers most appreciate.

(image available for purchase here)

But for me, it is this last image with the thistles that really inspires my imagination.

(image available for purchase here)

Caught up in the space of a lone tree on the point I was gently reminded we were here to paint.

Though the fog was still keeping us close

and a few families had joined us on Shell Beach we went ahead and set up.

When I say “we” I really do mean “we” as the French box easel and materials were shared in 15 minute increments for a period of 2.5 hours.

My nine year old traveling companion has no idea I have him in the frame. His attention is on the mist, the stones and the sea. Someone stops to observe and comment. He replies “it is the first time I have painted with professional materials.” His eyes never leave the task at hand.

I will share more over the days ahead from our trip but this gives you a taste and foot hold into our time on Saturna Island.

Sprout question: What creative wonders do you have for us to taste this week?

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

Being With What Is (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
Mountain Stands Alone (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Rainy Summer Day in Navy Channel

July 15, 2011July 16, 2011 / Terrill Welch / 15 Comments

Another medium size canvas print of “Witness in Georgia Strait” has sold from the Green House Restaurant where I share wall space with another Mayne Island creative being Barbara McIntyre. It is the second of this image I have sold. Summer is the time when our island doubles in size and we share this beautiful island with weekenders and tourists.

But in all honesty it has been a rather wet and dreary summer so far. Yet, it is the wettest and mistiest days that often find me leaving the house with my camera. It is like I must connect, I must be close to the earth’s surfaces taking in her breath as if we are one.

The day is hot and humid. My bare arms feel the moisture in the air and I leave my raincoat draped haphazardly around my waist. With the tide out, I scramble along the small beach and over the rocks in Navy Channel.

While noticing a straggly molting heron feeds in the shallows

I almost step on the most magnificent huge purple starfish.

(this image may be purchased here)

Looking west it is hard to make out Salt Spring Island in the distance.

But it is two large boulders to the east that have captured my attention. Huddled, as if braving the grayness of the day alone, they squat on the shore.

As I draw closer I can see that they are now separate and each holding a space of its own.

However, I opt for an image that has a stronger connection to their oneness, my oneness and our oneness as we experience being separate.

(this image may be purchased here)

The magic of summer rains and mist defies our capacity to mistakenly dwell on our separateness.

Sprout Question: What clarity comes from your today?

Terrill Welch’s STUDY OF BLUE solo exhibition is up until July 27, 2011. At this time, there are still eleven paintings to choose from. Your personal favourite may still be available and can be purchased today online.

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

Port of call – Mayne Island (creativepotager.wordpress.com)
An invitation to buy a painting (creativepotager.wordpress.com)

Dawn at the Pier

January 13, 2011January 13, 2011 / Terrill Welch / 19 Comments

Well, my underpaintings do not look very promising this week. I may or may not get time to work on them later today. So please don’t have high expectations tomorrow when I post the results. Sometimes creativity is like that. I tell myself there is learning to be had and just keep going. I also look back on other work that has been successful to boost my ability to be brave and bold and take the next step.

For today, I have been thinking about an image that I took early in the morning on New Year’s day. This pier is in Bennett Bay on Mayne Island. I have various images of it but this has to be my favourite. Enjoy.