Save Studio Art
Just when the school year is finishing and many students in Studio Arts have put up their graduation exhibition, the administration at Capilano University in North Vancouver has announced that they would have to make cuts to many programs... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/05/2013 | 8 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Current Events
too many goodbyes
Sunday was spent traveling to the Victoria area on Vancouver Island for my late aunt's 'remembering'... a sweet event, lovingly and artistically arranged by her daughter, my cousin, at her charming lakeside cottage home. Heartwarming stories and memories shared... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/04/2013 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Home
magnolia
looking up, looking under and looking down while awaiting arrival of old friends on this beautiful Earth Day... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/04/2013 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
February's end
a happy accident of a photo captured by our waitress another birthday lunch in another seaside place, this time for my love a break in the rain, a look over Deep Cove mountains with snowy peaks shrouded in clouds... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/02/2013 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
on Mt. Seymour
"Opa" took the granddaughters up to the mountain for some sledding and captured some striking photographs which he's allowing me to share here. I love that clean bright snow, those moody skies and that beady-eyed raven hoping for a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/02/2013 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
on Howe Sound
A couple of days ago, on Monday, we went out to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, where there is a ferry terminal servicing the islands and the Sunshine Coast. One of our favourite seafood restaurants, where we had lunch... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/02/2013 | 16 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Environment
February flowers
Our typical westcoast warming blanket of cloud cleared overnight bringing us some pretty though short-lived frost. Today's too rare sunshine was a gift though the vision of bright white snow on the mountain tops reminded us that it still... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/02/2013 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Current Events
in Steveston
Yesterday afternoon we headed out to the old fishing village of Steveston, a part of Richmond (a city south of Vancouver). It was a cool drizzly afternoon with a bit of a chill in the wind as we walked... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/02/2013 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC
epiphany
moss and ivy lichen and ferns english daisies winter blooming rhododendron grey drizzly day where is snow white winter on this twelfth day of Christmas? a few past Epiphany posts: Twelfth Day 2006 Twelfth night 2008 epiphany deluge 2009... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/01/2013 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
underfoot, again
On our New Year's Eve day walk I took many photos, posting some of trees against water and sky, where I was looking up and out a great deal. To view the ones above, I'm looking down, something commenters... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/01/2013 | 9 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photoworks, Urban
last day of 2012
A few scenes from this afternoon's walk... how I love the dark lines and silhouettes of the trees against bright water and sky. I love those white clouds and patches of blue behind. As I wrote five years ago:... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/12/2012 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Films, Home, Other artists
morning snow
a lovely scene to awaken upon catching falling snow snow lace on skylight and a paper snowflake while writing here the piano is being tuned in the next room with curious girls watching looking forward to violin/piano duets Christmas... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/12/2012 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
December 6th, 1917
95 years ago today, Finland declared independence from Russia. Windows with two candles, candles at the graves of former presidents and dead soldiers and a President's Ball which many watch on television. Even Google honours Finland with the special... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/12/2012 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, History
December
December is here already! I love the Finnish name for it: joulukuu. Yesterday was a most memorable first day of this last month of the year. We attended a wonderful and heart warming memorial service for the mother of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/12/2012 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
deer, oh dear
Some of us were out this morning at violin lessons and running errands. During our last stop, a message came from home with an image of deer in our backyard! At home, we heard about how they had come... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/10/2012 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home, Neat stuff
white
Yesterday's surprise when the clouds lifted: the mountain tops dressed in white. Beautiful - the first of this fall. The weather report warned of a chance of frost overnight: I scrambled to take cuttings of some of my pelargoniums... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/10/2012 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
autumn equinox
One day last week when I was leaving the studio and walking back to my car, the changing colours on the trees and shrubs along the path made me slow down to enjoy them. Feeling as if I were... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/09/2012 | 8 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
HOT
heat haze at 10:00 am A heat wave persists with the hottest day yet on Sunday breaking some records here and there, 34C (93F) in our backyard. A brief break yesterday afternoon on a holiday long weekend with cloud... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/08/2012 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
100 yr old printshop
The printmaker in me was fascinated by an article in our paper about Canada's first Chinese print shop still in operation here in Vancouver after a century, run by the third generation of the Lam family and the matriarch.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/07/2012 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, History, Printmaking, Tools and technology
suddenly, summer
After a miserable spring and the coldest, wettest June ever, climaxing in a terrific downpour a week ago, summer has suddenly arrived with the heatwave from eastern North America. Afternoons are suddenly reaching 30C (86F)! Must. Not. Complain.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 09/07/2012 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
Canada Day weekend
Hope Canadians had a great Canada Day yesterday! It was thankfully a dry, warm and sometimes sunny day around Vancouver for those out to see parades and fireworks or going to backyard pool and BBQ gatherings with family annd... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/07/2012 | 11 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC, Home
still here
...and still busy with the spring projects. The new wood floor in the bedroom is done; work on the adjoining bathroom is in progress. The whole house is dusty and messy with displaced furniture and may be for a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/05/2012 | 3 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
Wish You Were Here
This is for artists in British Columbia.... I have just put together my little package of prints to mail to CARFAC BC's inaugural postcard fundraiser called Wish You Were Here. If you are a member, or wish to join if... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/05/2012 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Other artists, Recent Exhibitions
magic moments
What an incredible sunset sky on Monday evening, April 23rd, taken from our back deck. Do you see the magnolia tree in the top two images? Here it is again below, taken this afternoon just when the sun came... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/04/2012 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
gallery day
On Saturday, we went with friends to the Vancouver Art Gallery to see a couple of the exhibitions, one historical and one contemporary. We enjoyed both very much. Lights Out! Canadian painting from the 1960's As the country celebrated... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/02/2012 | 6 comments
themes: Art Exhibitions, Canada and BC, Other artists
this morning
Brilliant sunshine streaming in through windows Blinding reflections off water A mood lifter after days of cold stormy rainy Visit to the dentist for cleaning and checkup This view as reward, for it never bores Now to the garden... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/02/2012 | 9 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
first snow 2012
In the last hour of Friday, January 13th, big fat wet snowflakes began falling, our first measurable snow this winter. I wish I could have stayed up all night to watch it. By morning it had stopped. It was... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/01/2012 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
icicles
No, not down here but from a visit to Mt. Seymour a few short weeks ago. I'm enjoying dipping into those photos! Though the weather is much warmer this week (8C or 46F this evening!) I'm still dreaming of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/12/2011 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Home
Sunday drive
Escaping the three-girl-band practice coming to our house this afternoon, we went on a drive up to one of our local mountains to see the snow. A short-lived snowfall down here near sea level this past Thursday night had... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/11/2011 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
autumnal reds
My current passion for the colour red in my latest printworks is also jumping out at me with its abundance amongst the fall colours of many trees around here right now, especially the maples. Added November 13th... this quote... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/11/2011 | 10 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Hallowe'en time
BOO!! Too busy in the studio and too tired and sore after some heavy gardening this past week, I'm taking the lazy route and reposting my spookiest image from two years ago. To put you and me in the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/10/2011 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Folk Legends & Myths
jade
Natural rock with amazing colour variation and pattern in what I used to think was always all green, BC jade. I like this better than the usual jade jewelry or carvings, such a rock lover that I am.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/09/2011 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
Figaro on the beach
Yesterday afternoon, a Labour Day holiday here in Canada, we had the pleasure of seeing and hearing a delightful and well-done performance of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro on the mainstage of Bard on the Beach. The energetic young... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/09/2011 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Music
on a beach
a quintessential scene of summer made black and white becomes somehow both timeless and historical looking, like something found in old family albums reminding me also of these images... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/08/2011 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photography
early one morning
around 4:45 a.m. a week or so ago, the insomniac's sweet reward... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/08/2011 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
beach walk, Victoria (2)
More of my favourite images from our walk on Cordova Bay, on our visit back in May. Can you spot which of these show the hand of man upon nature? P.S. Happy 140th Birthday, British Columbia! No, really.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/07/2011 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photography, Travel
visitors from Hawaii
left to right: Terry, Marianna, Marja-Leena and Fred by False Creek, looking north at Vancouver's condo towers Yesterday's highlight was a wonderful visit with blog friend Marianna (of Hattie's Web) and her husband Terry who are in Vancouver for... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/07/2011 | 6 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC
beach walk, Victoria
I'm so glad to have my blog back after the server problems - strange how it broke my rhythm in writing. As I'm thinking of what to post, I remembered that I'd not finished describing the latter half of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 15/07/2011 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photography, Travel
raccoons' morning bath
It is 8:00 am and I am sitting at my computer preparing a blog post when at the corner of my eye by the window I see some movement outside in the backyard. Lo! a family of raccoons having... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/07/2011 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home, Neat stuff
happy July 1st
It's Canada Day here and a holiday long weekend also for our southern neighbours. Wherever you are, have a good weekend!... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/07/2011 | 17 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
weekend's wildlife
photos by FVR Oh my! a not-too-shy hummingbird in the catmint next to our table and chairs in our daughter's garden, and turtles sunning on logs in a pond in the woods where the wedding was held Related: a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 15/06/2011 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC
sensuous rocks
Still sorting through photos of our little Gabriola vacation, I'm enjoying revisiting the excitement of many discoveries. Each beach we visited had amazing rock formations, with some similarities in their rough weathered hole-y textures, common also on Hornby Island,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/06/2011 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks, Textures, Travel
Gabriola Petroglyph Park
Back to our visit and explorations a month ago (already!) on Gabriola Island. I previously featured a few images taken of some petroglyphs we found on one forest trail. The next day we visited the Gabriola Museum. Though closed mid-week... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/06/2011 | 8 comments
themes: Books, Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology, Travel
on Pilot Bay
Too too busy** to write more about Gabriola Island's petroglyphs but I will as soon as able. Instead, here are a few of my favourite photos taken on the beach of Pilot Bay on Gabriola. I do love these... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/06/2011 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks, Travel
Gabriola's petroglyphs 2
Learning of our interest in petroglyphs, our excellent B&B host on Gabriola Island told us of one accessible trail to one collection of them. We were warned that many are so worn that it is hard to spot them... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/05/2011 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rock Art & Archaeology, Rocks, Travel
Gabriola's petroglyphs
a Gabriola Island petroglyph I have more photos plus notes to share on the petroglyphs we saw on Gabriola Island, along with many more rock photos.... when I have some time. I've been quiet on this blog for we... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/05/2011 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rock Art & Archaeology, Rocks, Travel
Malaspina Galleries 4
Still more rocks by the Malaspina Galleries on Gabriola Island, these adorned by the many colours of lichen.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/05/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks, Textures, Travel
a silver quarter
I give you a brief break from Gabriola rocks to tell you about curiosity and an unusual looking Canadian silver quarter which I found in the pile of change on husband's dresser. On one side it has three figures... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/05/2011 | 8 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology
Malaspina Galleries 3
Some exciting-to-me details of the rocks near the Malaspina Galleries on Gabriola. Did I mention that I shot hundreds of photos on this island, mostly of rocks? Such a rich abundance of Nature's amazing creations....... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/05/2011 | 27 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks, Travel
Malaspina Galleries 2
As we move further out to the point away from the most striking 'wave' rocks of the Malaspina Galleries on Gabriola Island, we continue to see and admire amazing formations and textures and colours. Nature's art work worthy of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/05/2011 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks, Travel
Gabriola's Malaspina Galleries
(photo by FVR) (photo by FVR) (photo by FVR) As mentioned in my last post, we recently visited Gabriola Island and its noteworthy limestone formations called the Malaspina Galleries. We were told that they have eroded a great deal,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/05/2011 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks, Travel
island getaway
As some readers may have suspected, we've been away on a week's getaway to a couple of islands. The day after our disastrous federal election, we took a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, then a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 11/05/2011 | 18 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Travel
orchids, art, election results
Ah, what a busy and lovely weekend we've had here. Our eldest daughter arrived Friday evening for a visit from the interior of BC. We'd last seen her at Christmas which we'd spent with her and her partner. For a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/05/2011 | 11 comments
themes: Art Exhibitions, Canada and BC, Current Events
pond reflections
While organizing this year's photos into albums, I came across these almost forgotten images which instantly transported me to that delightful discovery of a wonderful walk around the creeks and ponds of a local public golf course. A rare... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/04/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC
Easter, Earth, Elections
Today is Good Friday, Earth Day and the first of several Advance Voting Days for our Canadian national elections on May 2nd. Husband was visiting his sister on Vancouver Island for a couple of days this week (by bike,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/04/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Current Events
a little ennui
May I blame our cold, wet late spring for a little blog and personal ennui? I have many things I've wished to write but haven't felt the energy. The recent sunnier days have given me incentive to get outdoors... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/04/2011 | 23 comments
themes: Canada and BC
Beaty Biodiversity Museum - 6
Next in our walk through the Beaty came the sections with small animals and birds in their skins with fur or feathers that are laid down in rows upon rows on shelves inside glass-doored display cabinets. I found these... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/04/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Environment, Nature, Photoworks
Vancouver's 125th
Happy 125th Birthday, Vancouver! Still young and beautiful. Check out the cool video of Vancouver streets in 1907 on the bottom of the linked page. I was surprised to see that the traffic moved on the left back in the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/04/2011 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, History
Beaty Biodiversity Museum - 5
More from Vancouver's Beaty Biodiversity Museum. This particular section of big cases of gorgeous animals such as the crocodile, the African buffalo in the middle, and, sorry I can't read the label, another handsome African big curly-horned creature, made... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/04/2011 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Environment, Nature, Photoworks
Beaty Biodiversity Museum - 4
Marja-Leena | 01/04/2011 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Environment, Nature, Photoworks
Beaty Biodiversity Museum - 3
Moving along in the Beaty to look at the specimens in the glazed display cases, still in the Atrium and below the Blue Whale, I was immediately enthralled by the gorgeous skulls of many creatures. I'm sorry I don't... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 29/03/2011 | 10 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
Beaty Biodiversity Museum - 2
Here are some closer detail shots of the massive Blue Whale at the Beaty that I could not resist sharing. Looking at the image of the bones in a human hand, isn't it astonishing how similar they are to... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/03/2011 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Environment, Human, Nature, Photoworks
Beaty Biodiversity Museum - 1
One day last week, we made our first visit to Vancouver's new Beaty Biodiversity Museum, located on the campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC). A teaching and research facility, the museum is now able to showcase UBC's... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/03/2011 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Environment, History, Nature, Photoworks
spring, lichen, moss
Last Saturday night turned clear so were fortunate to be able to watch the supermoon's rise but were not so impressed with it, for we've seen better, August moons for example, though it looked pretty reflected on the sea.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/03/2011 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
forces of nature
I've been struggling to put words together, more than is usual even for me, about the horrific events in Japan, all that devastation caused not just by a powerful earthquake in a country that has them so frequently but... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/03/2011 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Environment, Films
tracks in snow
More photos from the weekend's snow...you know how I like looking underfoot! Most are obvious but the last one I leave as a mystery for you to puzzle over, as I did when I first saw it.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/02/2011 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
snow, snow, snow
After a week of subzero temperatures and frozen ground, snow has been coming down steadily, at first lightly all day yesterday, then heavily in the evening and all night. This morning it was still snowing but the forecast said... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/02/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
reflected
After hours and days of working at the computer and a bit in my home studio, today I just had to take a break and enjoy the sunshine outdoors. My garden has been much neglected since the fall and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 09/02/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
early signs
[Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/01/2011 | 17 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
rain forest
After a week of sunny frosty weather, followed by a much too short-lived overnight snow, it's been rain, rain and more rain with gloomy dark days calling for lights indoors. I keep my 'daylight' lamp on next to me... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/01/2011 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks, Rocks
leaves in ice #2
Marja-Leena | 10/01/2011 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
Christmas Day walk
I've been absorbed with some intense work on a project this week which I completed yesterday. As I now catch up posting holiday photos, I also look back to those relaxing days of our recent Christmas trip and the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/01/2011 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Nature, Photoworks
leaves in ice
Marja-Leena | 03/01/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
walk in the country Dec.24th
As I wrote last week, we'd travelled to the Thompson River region northeast of us to spend Christmas at the home of one of our daughters. It is such different country from the southwest coast, with its own kind... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/01/2011 | 17 comments
themes: Canada and BC
first sunset
The first sunset of 2011, captured at 4:48 pm. from our back deck. Is this an auspicious sign or what?! Frosty cold clear weather continues.... By the way, since I did not have a chance to mention it earlier,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/01/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
New Year's Eve morn
Oh, what a glorious morning on this last day of 2010! Sunny bright days and crisp frosty nights that are a close second best to having a white Christmas. Frost flowers on the glass instead of roses in the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/12/2010 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Nature, Photoworks
lights of Christmas Eve
As I've written before, Christmas Eve is our big night, a tradition with both the Finns and the Germans, with a lovely meal, carols around the piano, and then Santa's visit. This year at our eldest daughter's place, we... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 29/12/2010 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
Christmas journey
We have been away for a few days, spending Christmas with our eldest daughter Anita and partner Richard at their home in the countryside east of Kamloops. We had a wonderful time, thanks to their generous hospitality, lovely holiday decorations... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/12/2010 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
Happy Christmas, Hauskaa Joulua
Wishing you all a Happy Christmas, Hauskaa Joulua, Frohe Weihnachten, Joyeux Noël, God Jul! Love and light, peace and joy this season and always. I'm recalling the very white and beautiful Christmas period that we had two years... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/12/2010 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Home
on yesterday's walk
The sun was shining, the sky a clear blue, the night's slight frost gone, and we were tempted outdoors for a walk to the park. In this natural woodland park by the sea we spotted some human touches in... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/12/2010 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
cards, letters, music, chats
.....photo by my other half :-) days of card and letter-writing outside, heavy dark rains instead of bright snow a few Christmas decorations set out day by day a relaxing warming fire and favourite Christmas music last night while... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/12/2010 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Current Events
December sun
about 2:00 pm on December 1st looking southwest from our back deck After the monsoon month of November with its tease of snow, sunshine, weak as it is, delights now in December. Yesterday morning a stunning brief surprise when... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 04/12/2010 | 4 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
pattern of leaves
In spite of an unusual-for-us cold snap and biting winds of early winter, there are still leaves on many trees, such as these Japanese maples.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 23/11/2010 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC
in winter sun
In our neighbourhood near sea level, most of Friday night's snow has melted. Lots of brilliant white snow lies low down on the mountains. It's cold and a bit windy, hovering around freezing this afternoon as I go about... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/11/2010 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
wintry
[Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/11/2010 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC
looking north
the view north from an office on the seventh floor of a tower: the highrises of downtown Vancouver bleak against glowering showering clouds hiding mountains, covering them in snow?... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/11/2010 | 3 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
art and healing
detail of a tie-dyed table runner I created a long time ago - not related to subject below Many question the purpose of art. Here's one answer in this wonderful story about art and healing.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 15/11/2010 | 8 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Other artists
yesterday and today
Sandwiched between some cold and rainy days, yesterday was a brilliant sunny one, such a pleasure when it's now more rare and cannot be taken for granted. Above is an iconic Vancouver scene that I enjoyed in the morning... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 11/11/2010 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Home
this is November
Looking southeast on a sunny and mild Sunday morning, 7th November Looking northeast two days later (today) after a fierce rain and windstorm blew through around noon, after which some clouds lifted just enough to reveal a heavy dusting... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 09/11/2010 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC
a full day
first short-lived snow on the mountains, October 27th In the printmaking studio this morning, I'm thrilled with the first large proof of my new print! Over town this afternoon for an appointment, then joined by husband. We met his... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/11/2010 | 5 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
colours of autumn
Suddenly, it is November and for many writers also NaNoWriMo** month. As I'm not writing a novel or poetry, I thought I'd try for the first time to post something every day. It's a busy month for me so... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/11/2010 | 7 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC
family days
Yesterday late afternoon we returned from several days away traveling and spending time with our three daughters and two granddaughters at our eldest daughter's place in the Thompson River Valley region east of Kamloops, BC. A neighbour raises a few... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/08/2010 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC
scent of rain
While doing some photography, I'm suddenly captivated by a scent in the air, forgotten for a while but oh so familiar. The scent of rain awakens a flood of memories of cooling summer showers. Only some time later do... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 03/08/2010 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Neat stuff
evening skies
July 12th, about 8:00 pm July 19th, at 7:20 pm We've had a month of gorgeous summer weather, including an incredibly hot week which I didn't enjoy but it's been quite pleasant since. A month or so without rain... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/07/2010 | 20 comments
themes: Canada and BC
heat
I know I shouldn't complain after our cool spring but I am much too hot! It was 30C (86F) here yesterday and today will be hotter, and it's humid too. I know those in eastern Canada and US are... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/07/2010 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
Canadian Red
It's Canada Day today. Our Queen is in Ottawa this year to celebrate our country's 143rd birthday and give us the gift of a special rock. Below are a couple of other articles Canadians and non-Canadians might enjoy. We... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/07/2010 | 17 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
patterns in sand 2
Here are some more sand patterns, taken in quite different light conditions compared to the previous set. All except the last two here were created by tidal action. The second to last shows some evidence of human mark making... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/06/2010 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
patterns in sand
Marja-Leena | 03/06/2010 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
bones, stones & fossils
As so many of us do on seashores everywhere, I like to pick up interesting shells and stones and take some home. This time, on our recent little vacation on the west coast, I discovered small stones that seemed... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/06/2010 | 16 comments
themes: Books, Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
west coast rocks
And, of course, since I love rocks so very much, I had to capture these handsome ones on one of our favourite beaches during our recent west coast holiday.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/05/2010 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
seaside reflections
My favourite 'meditation' pools by the sea at our west coast retreat... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 29/05/2010 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
sea life
Brilliant evening sunshine, like nature's studio lights, highlighting kelp and seaweed as sculpture in relief. photos from our west coast retreat... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/05/2010 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
west coast retreat #2
Last week we took a few days' escape to our favourite 'treat and retreat' on the west coast of Vancouver Island near the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. We always love the journey - the ferry trip there and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/05/2010 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC
west coast retreat
back from a few days on the wild west coast.... more later!... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 23/05/2010 | 7 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
growing vegetables
Or, really, the trouble with growing some of your own vegetables.... Why did we, a month ago, book a short holiday for next week, at the busiest time of the gardening season? Spring had been so cool that my... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/05/2010 | 14 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
acknowledge the past
As most of you know, the Winter Olympics have been underway here in the Vancouver region. I haven't commented much on it for I'm one of the folks that's been against it mostly because of the extreme costs, commercialism... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/02/2010 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, History
buds of spring
More wonderful signs of spring during the warmest winter in 114 years here in the Vancouver area... Two of the the first-to-green-out native shrubs in the park, the red huckleberry and oemleria or Indian plum (I... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/02/2010 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photography
red hearts and lanterns
Red is for hearts and lovers and friends this weekend - Happy Valentine's Day! or Hauskaa Ystävänpäivää and Happy Friendship Day as the Finns celebrate it. Red is for the colour of the maple leaf on the Canadian... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/02/2010 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Current Events
more spring blooms
Bewitched by a bank of golden witch hazels Captivated by the scent of viburnum bodnantense Delighted by the humble English lawn daisy ... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/02/2010 | 7 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photography
croci, snowdrops, orchid
Putting aside work at the computer for a lunch break, I just had to first go outside into the garden to enjoy some of today's sunshine and spring-like temperatures (12C or almost 54F). I... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 04/02/2010 | 19 comments
themes: Canada and BC
by the Fraser River estuary
Yesterday afternoon was one of sad goodbyes as we saw our daughter and granddaughters to the airport for their flight back home to London. Husband took the afternoon off work too, so we could do a little exploring... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/01/2010 | 11 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
complaints
Just over a month ago, I wrote about how western media is taking notice of the phenomenon of complaints choirs. Just now I found another report, in Canada's Globe & Mail, BC edition about the number of choirs in... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/01/2010 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Music
hellos and goodbyes
Much greeting and hugging and then goodbyes have been a large part of our holidays as our family swelled from seven for Christmas Eve to nine on the 27th, then twelve for just a day on the 28th and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/12/2009 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Home
in the woods
Today's walk in weak sunshine, to clear sugar-overload-cobwebs from my mind. Here, balmy almost spring-like air, while there's snow elsewhere. Vivid green moss on tree trunks, ferns decorating them and forest floor. Fallen trees from past storms quickly returning to... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/12/2009 | 17 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Lucia and lights
How lovely, on Lucia's Day to have our first real snowfall, light flakes slowly dancing down, the frozen ground now white and an icing-sugar-like dusting on evergreen branches. It set the right mood for finishing up the holiday letters... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/12/2009 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, Folk Legends & Myths
Canada in Copenhagen
Taking a break now and then from posting pretty frost pictures and writing Christmas letters, I've been checking into reality: the news on the Copenhagen Climate Summit. Others have been far more eloquent than I could ever be, so... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/12/2009 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Environment
frost stars
Marja-Leena | 08/12/2009 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
full moon, fog, frost
Oak Moon, Cold Moon, Frost Moon, Long Night's Moon, Moon Before Yule, 7:20 a.m., December 2nd fog and sunrise frost on the path... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 03/12/2009 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
in the country
browsing through this year's photos these from a drive in the country one summer day loved the sight of these most beautiful cows and the nervous horse that was spooked by them can you tell... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 29/11/2009 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC
Hornby's driftwood
salt and sun bleached beached tree, roots like twisted tentacles squeezing blue green rocks in captivity ... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/11/2009 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
bursting
I slept deeply after the 'night scribblings' and woke up late and refreshed. The creative binge of ideas and energy continued all weekend. I wonder what I ate or drank or what phase of moon affected me so strongly... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/11/2009 | 8 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
home fires burning
Thanks to Erika for posting my video onto her Flickr account! The past few days we've been without home heating, that is, a central heating system we take for granted in most homes in the developed world. Ours is... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 11/11/2009 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Environment, Home, Music
revisiting Hornby's petroglyphs
This year's mini-vacation to Hornby Island was a sort of pilgrimage for me as we revisited some favourite spots from past visits. It must be over 15 years ago when we first saw the petroglyphs made by early First... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 09/11/2009 | 13 comments
themes: Books, Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rock Art & Archaeology, Rocks
new David Suzuki Foundation website
I'm claiming bragging rights and motherly pride in sharing news about what our daughter Erika has been working on for many months. Now launched, it's the new website for the David Suzuki Foundation! It's still a work in progress, she... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/11/2009 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Environment
more rock lace
...on the very photogenic Hornby Island, naturally!... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/11/2009 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
Hornby rock lace
... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/10/2009 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
more Hornby rocks
a few more photos of Hornby Island's rocks a busy week but in a good way, despite continuing insomnia fall gardening, housework and much art making a most heartwarming time with a friend here for dinner and breakfast life... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 23/10/2009 | 16 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
autumn at home
surprise sunrise scene in the kitchen lovely blossoms still blooming madly but producing only plum sized squash babies from volunteers that appeared late in the summer and have grown like Jack-in-the-beanstalks in the new planting bed the best fall... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/10/2009 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
Hornby: more wildlife
You saw the jellyfish. Here are some more sea creatures found in the tidal pools on Hornby Island. This handsome bald eagle had a prize salmon in his claws as he flew down... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/10/2009 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC
Hornby's jellyfish
On our recent visit to Hornby Island, we were amazed by how many jellyfish were on the beaches and rocks. They had beautiful and rich coloured patterns, were mostly around 15" across, though... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 24/09/2009 | 18 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
exhibition on Bowen
detail: ARKEO 2, Marja-Leena Rathje (may or may not be in exhibition) You are invited to: An exhibition of prints by the Art Institute Printmakers of Capilano University at The Gallery at Artisan Square 589 Artisan Square, Bowen Island,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/09/2009 | 10 comments
themes: Art Exhibitions, Art Institute (Printmaking), Canada and BC, Other artists, Recent Exhibitions
more ferry pics
Arriving at the Denman Island ferry terminal: On the ferry to Hornby Island: ... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/09/2009 | 3 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Urban
on a ferry
The many photos from our week in Paris, way back in May, are still awaiting to be posted! And now I have all these photos of our recent island hopping mini-vacation that I'm eager to share. These were... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/09/2009 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Urban
Hornby Island photos
Still very busy, now preparing for a new schedule for this fall as I head back to the printmaking studio, but wanted to quickly post some photos of the amazing rocks on Hornby Island. More to come...... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/09/2009 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
island hopping
Last weekend we finally, after many years since, revisited Hornby Island, one of our favourite places on BC's west coast. Creating our own five-day long weekend beginning Friday morning (August 28th) we caught the ferry from Horseshoe... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/09/2009 | 19 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
this and that
This morning as I sat at my computer next to the window, some movement caught the corner of my eye - six big crows were strutting about the lawn, looking for grubs perhaps? I was too slow... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/08/2009 | 23 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC, Other artists
'ecological footprint' author
I've been poking about the net looking for information on Bowen Island, just off the coast of Vancouver. In all these years that we've lived in the Vancouver area, we've never visited it. Now I'm eager to find out... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/08/2009 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Concepts, Environment
meeting Miguel
Yesterday evening right here in Vancouver, my husband and I were very pleased and excited to meet Miguel Arboleda, author and photographer of the sublimely beautiful blog Laughing Knees. Miguel had arrived here from Japan a few... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/08/2009 | 11 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC
summer is...
fresh picked red currants sweetened by sunshine, precious last ones saved for granddaughters' picking pleasure a record heat wave sprinkler swirls sparkling water to delight garden and jumping children a new roof overheated workers start early, quit early... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/07/2009 | 17 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
weather fireworks
We had the most spectacular thunderstorm Saturday evening lasting about three hours. We rarely get them and usually only briefly. Dark billowing clouds were moving in from the east and the north, and soon multiple forks of lightning crackled over... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/07/2009 | 13 comments
themes: Books, Canada and BC
heat wave whine
too hot to plant my garden (I'm way behind because of the trip) too much weeding and watering to do too hot to sleep, too hot to think, too hot to write We've had only one partial day of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 04/06/2009 | 2 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
Film: Recipes for Disaster
If you live in the Vancouver area, you will want to see this important film: On April 16, view the third and final film of DOXA's Documentary Film Series in the lead-up to our May festival. Recipes for Disaster follows... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/04/2009 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Environment, Films, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
cultural identity & CBC
This past weekend Vancouver hosted the Juno Awards, which inspired Miro Cernetig to write an interesting and eye-opening article for the Vancouver Sun. It may be tempting to see the Junos -- now this country's most successful entertainment event... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/03/2009 | 3 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
SAVE the CBC
CBC is Canada's own publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, a part of the very heart of Canada and its culture, connecting us all from coasts to coasts. It's currently being decimated by Harper and his government, after already many... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/03/2009 | 19 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Current Events
English Bay: sky
This is the fourth and last of the series of photos that I took about a month ago in English Bay. The feeling of the immense sky overhead struck me powerfully. It made me realize... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/03/2009 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
English Bay: reflections
Third of the English Bay series, this time of the mirror-like surface of the Second Beach Pool on the edge of the bay in Stanley Park. A lovely aerial view of it may be seen... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/02/2009 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Urban
visiting Victoria
We spent a lovely weekend staying with dear friends in Victoria on Vancouver Island. It was the first time I saw their recently completed beautiful new home on the seashore. Much talking, catching up with each other's and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/02/2009 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC
English Bay: beach
More photos from that lovely day at English Bay.... Wishing all my readers a Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Friendship Day as celebrated in Finland. Addendum: The other photos in this series: English Bay: trees... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/02/2009 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
English Bay: trees
One lovely and warm spring-like day last week, we went out for a walk in the late afternoon along Vancouver's famous English Bay at Stanley Park. Camera happy that day, I captured an amazing... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/02/2009 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
foggy January
19 days of fog few sunny periods cold below, warm above an air inversion they say fog horns, monotonal musical nights black white and grey moody haunting magical inspiration for old English novels Added Jan.25th, 2009: Listen to... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 24/01/2009 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
shape shifting
shrinking shapes of white shifting from all white to black-and-white to green-and-white ... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 09/01/2009 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
epiphany deluge
It's the 12th day of Christmas and Epiphany (or loppiainen, a national holiday in Finland). It's the day we try take down the Christmas tree and decorations and I'm making a slow start on that, leaving some of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/01/2009 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Home
Janus and Tammikuu
Janus - etching, 40 x 37.5 cm. As I crack open new calendars, I think about January and the Roman god Janus and about looking back and looking forward. I wonder about the Finnish name for this month, Tammikuu... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 03/01/2009 | 18 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, Older Works
thaw
yesterday: rain, melting snow, flooded streets this morning, sunshine; this afternoon, more rain? heavy clumps of snow falling off trees and roof edges still deep white yards, snowbanks, tracks on roads tilting snowmen, carrot noses pointed... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/12/2008 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home, Nature, Photoworks
feast of Stephen
Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/12/2008 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, Folk Legends & Myths, Music
season's best to you
Dear readers, take your pick: Happy Christmas, Hauskaa Joulua, Frohe Weihnachten, Joyeux Noël, God Jul, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever you celebrate... or not. And please: peace and an end to poverty! Thank you all from the bottom of my... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 24/12/2008 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Home
countdown to Xmas
It stopped snowing mid-morning yesterday, leaving us with a gloriously beautiful, magical world, especially when the sun comes out. This year we have many amazing huge icicles; I was surprised to see some black-capped chickadees taking a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 23/12/2008 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
white and bright
at 5:00 pm Sunday, December 21st, 2008 It's almost midnight on winter solstice day and it's been snowing almost steadily for 24 hours and it is still coming down. What an incredibly beautiful winter wonderland it is out there.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/12/2008 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
solstice time
At [10:04 a.m. Pacific Time] on Sunday Dec. 21, 2008, the northern hemisphere begins its tilt back toward the sun, marking the winter solstice in this part of the world and slowly leading to longer days. This may be... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/12/2008 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Home
snow and ice
Well, more snow came down on Wednesday and it has stayed. Here, in the usually balmiest corner of Canada, we are experiencing zub-sero temperatures. Instead of the rain quickly washing it all away as usual there's lots more... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/12/2008 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
weather report
Though many areas around Metro Vancouver received a lot of snow on the weekend, our little microclimate prevented us from getting more than a dusting and even that was blown away by the high winds. Funny how the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 15/12/2008 | 13 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
remember peace
It's Remembrance Day here, and the weather matches the sad occasion. Each year on this day, I reluctantly acknowledge this day, understanding the sacrifices made by so many soldiers in wars. I am sad for the millions of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 11/11/2008 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
if walls could speak
(from my photo series of the Britannia Shipyard in Steveston) ... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/11/2008 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Textures
Kekri and Samhain
It's the last day of October and Halloween tonight. With our children grown up and the grandchildren in England this year, I have made no effort to celebrate this occasion here at home. Erika, now living at home... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/10/2008 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
walk in the park
Another glorious fall day today! A walk in the park was absolutely essential. It was amazing how many leaves were covering the paths and they were delightfully dry and rustling underfoot. So often they are soggy and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/10/2008 | 5 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photography
golden
Our October days have been alternating between warm and sunny with crisp nights or cool and rainy. Today was a golden day with a clear blue sky. As I was driving home from the studio, I felt... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/10/2008 | 9 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photography
walls
worn out walls signs of the past portents of the future? (continuing photo series of the Britannia Shipyard in Steveston)... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/10/2008 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Textures
fair votes
I've mentioned before that Canada's electoral system desperately needs to be reformed to a far more democratic system of proportional representation. After another expensive wasted election with record low voter turnout and skewed results, I'm pleased to read that... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/10/2008 | 2 comments
themes: Canada and BC
moving on
test print of a small collagraph Well, the elections are over, for better or worse, here in Canada. Harper and the Tories won, but thankfully only another minority government. What for, at such great expense, and for... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 15/10/2008 | 10 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Thanksgiving and Nobel Peace Prize
The elections here in Canada and the US plus the world economy has taken far too much of our attention lately. Canadians vote on Tuesday, October 14th and that night will be an anxious one awaiting results that we... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/10/2008 | 11 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, Home
an 8th birthday!
Wood s Lot! He continues to produce almost daily posts, each full of very interesting and eclectic links on a wide variety of intelligent subjects from the artistic and literary to philosophical and political, frequently including his own wonderful photos of his home region in Ontario, Canada. Each of these posts would be the equivalent of five to ten of mine! Wood s Lot was one of my early finds and inspirations when I first began blogging four and a half years ago and continues to be a favourite daily read. Thank you, Mark and Happy 8th Birthday to Wood s Lot!
Marja-Leena | 06/10/2008 | 2 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC
Save the Planet: Stop Harper
I feel passionately that the current elections in Canada and USA are one of the most critical in our lifetime. Against previous promises to myself not to talk about politics on this blog, I have already posted one long piece... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/10/2008 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Environment
Arts funding cuts
Last Sunday afternoon, my husband and I went to a concert at the Chan Centre out at UBC. One of the UBC Centenary Gala series this year, it featured BC born, UBC alumnus and acclaimed tenor, Ben Heppner, and the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/10/2008 | 9 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Culture, Current Events, Music
windows
Last Saturday we drove daughter Elisa, J, our granddaughters and piles of luggage to the airport. They are off to Europe to work and travel until Christmas. My, the house is quiet now with just the three of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/09/2008 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Urban
locked doors
Yesterday at the old shipyards in Steveston, BC (more details to come later). Sept 10th update: see next post. Much later: more from the Old Britannia Shipyard here: artifacts walls if walls could speak... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/09/2008 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, History, Photoworks, Urban
busy busy
This first week of August has been a busy one for me with three days spent in the printmaking studio. I signed up for two weeks of summer access in order to complete two editions, of which I'd... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/08/2008 | 14 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
on the pier
Being in the area yesterday evening, my husband and I sauntered over to see the 700 foot long Burrard Dry Dock Pier, just east of Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. According to this History of the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/07/2008 | 2 comments
themes: Canada and BC, History
Happy 141st!
It's Canada Day today. Despite all the hoopla, crowds and fireworks everywhere, we're just enjoying the holiday around home, puttering about and trying to keep cool in a heat wave. This thoughtful Canada Day meditation, written by a Canadian... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/07/2008 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, History
June garden
Still working much too hard in the garden. Here are a few images of what's lovely today, a drizzly day and a relief after yesterday's heat. How does your garden grow? Addendum June 18th: Leslee... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/06/2008 | 21 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
exhibit in Squamish
I'm pleased to announce that my friend Bonnie Jordan and I have a selection of our prints on exhibit in the new Artisan Gallery in the town of Squamish, north of Vancouver. Here's how the space is... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/06/2008 | 13 comments
themes: Art Exhibitions, Canada and BC, Other artists, Recent Exhibitions
'Centigrade' wins Leos
I'm thrilled to share the news that a certain special film has won five Leos just a few days ago here in Vancouver. The Leo Awards honor the best in British Columbian television and film production every year. Centigrade is... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/05/2008 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Films
summer's here
Today is the Victoria Day holiday and what a busy long weekend it has been. My husband took Friday off work and we've been working hard in the garden for three days in a row. Three gorgeous sunny days, the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/05/2008 | 10 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
geologic journey
Spotting a seemingly insignificant looking rock like this one now sends me wondering about its history, its journey through millions of years. Thanks to the powerful series Geologic Journey, my view of our world, especially of Canada and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/04/2008 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Films, History
snow in April
We were shocked last night to receive hail and dry pellets of snow, then wet snow for about four or five hours. A few stunning flashes of lightning highlit the whiteness into a ghostlike eery world. Then it all... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/04/2008 | 16 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
immigrants' journeys
A story of one Finnish family's immigrant experience.
UPDATE April 28, 2008: I just learned about this exhibition on the same theme: Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC is a major feature exhibition at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC's capital. We'll have to see this the next time we go visit!
Marja-Leena | 14/04/2008 | be the first to comment
themes: Canada and BC, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, History
end of March
I was going to repeat the old cliché about March coming in like a lamb and going out like a lion (or vice-versa). The last two or three weeks have been unusually cold here, with locally variable and sometimes... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/03/2008 | 4 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
BC's Finnish settlers
Nordic Spirit: Early Finnish Settlements in B.C. A gallery presentation of over 100 moving historical images depicting the life and times of the early Finnish settlers on the West Coast Clinton Hall Finn Slough Sointula Webster's Corner and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/03/2008 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, History
Sunday afternoon in Burnaby
Yesterday we headed out to Burnaby (a city next to Vancouver) and the Scandinavian Centre where we enjoyed a recital of songs sung in Finnish, Swedish and Italian by a beautiful, rising talent, Finnish-American singer Maria Männistö. Here's the announcement... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/03/2008 | 2 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Culture, Music, Other artists
earthworks #4
Still remembering McKenzie Beach, near Pacific Rim National Park, BC....
Marja-Leena | 28/02/2008 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
earthworks #3
on McKenzie Beach, near Pacific Rim National Park, BC, February 3rd, 2008... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/02/2008 | 8 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Textures
nature's sculpture
found sitting in a tidal pool on a beach in Pacific Rim National Park, BC how I wanted to take it home make a meditation pool for it in the garden but 'twas way too big and heavy... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/02/2008 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rocks
winter journeys
Husband and I have been planning a trip to our favourite place near the Pacific Rim National Forest Reserve, on the western edge of Vancouver Island near Tofino. We call it our 'treat and retreat'. I've written of past... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/02/2008 | 4 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
earthworks #1
on McKenzie Beach, near Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, February 3rd, 2008... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/02/2008 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Textures
and more snow
snowing all night, snowing this morning schools and colleges closed, commuting chaos garden under heavy white blanket, tree branches weighed down silence punctuated with soft thuds, scrape of shovel glad I can stay home today, like the happy... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 29/01/2008 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
ice and snow
a weekend of snow, rain, ice and snow again
so beautiful and bright
and more snow coming tonight!
Marja-Leena | 28/01/2008 | 14 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
winter sun and frost
We have had several days of sunshine at long last. As often happens here when the cloud cover is gone, it gets quite cold. At night it's been as cold as -5C (23F) so there's frost on the skylights... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 24/01/2008 | 7 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
winter afternoon
At the mouth of the Capilano River at Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, 4:00 pm Today seemed to be the first day this year without rain, though I haven't kept any notes on it. It's been incredibly wet, normal winter... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/01/2008 | 7 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
lingering lazy days
My, have I been lazy this past week, not even blogging! The preparations and the holidays themselves seem to have tired me out a bit. I'm enjoying these quiet days to replenish body and soul. It's now Twelfth Night,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/01/2008 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
trees of my year
Many of us are looking back on the past year as it's nearing its end. Photography having become more and more a passion for me, I like to look through the year's photos. They may be observations of the little... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 29/12/2007 | 18 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC, Photography
Boxing Day walk
Reminisces...
two lovely days with dear friends
hours of chatting, eating, laughing
long walks in our neighbourhood
Marja-Leena | 28/12/2007 | 7 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
PISA tests
Pardon my bragging... I've written from time to time about how Finland's education system has been well-recognized for its excellence in many areas - reading, music, math and sciences. This has been confirmed by the international PISA tests such... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 04/12/2007 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
a snowy weekend
The first and second days of December brought us the first major snowfall of this winter thanks to a cold front from the Yukon. The brightness and whiteness was lovely while it lasted, putting us into the Christmas... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/12/2007 | 11 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
the morning after
Some areas of southwest British Columbia had their first snowfall of the season late yesterday! No snow in our area though, sadly....
Marja-Leena | 27/11/2007 | 7 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
long weekend storm
The Remembrance Day long weekend in British Columbia turned into an unforgettable one, weather-wise. A large area of the province from the coast to the interior was hit by a powerful storm, from Sunday evening until Monday afternoon. Falling... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/11/2007 | 9 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Home
PEACE
Remembrance Day makes me angry...
Marja-Leena | 11/11/2007 | 14 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
silhouettes
a walk in the park
chasing clouds, dancing light
light and shadow, black and white
Marja-Leena | 10/11/2007 | 3 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Nature, Photoworks
Seven years and Thanksgiving
The amazing wood s lot is 7 years old, and that's a lot in blog years! In addition to his ever rich cornucopia, for the past few months Mark has been posting his own beautiful photos of his home... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/10/2007 | 8 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology
away and back
We've been away for a few days' trip to the beautiful Saanich and Victoria areas of Vancouver Island, visiting friends and family. Most important for us was to spend some time with my elderly uncle and aunt. Because... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/10/2007 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home
forest in our backyard
About two weeks ago, I made a long overdue first visit with some of my family (who'd been there before) to the very popular, though awkwardly named Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve located in the North Shore mountains behind... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/09/2007 | 14 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Blogging, Canada and BC, Photography
rocks bearing fossils
Eight years ago, when I had an exhibition of my works in a gallery in Edmonton, Alberta, my husband and I decided to deliver my framed works by car and make this journey into a bit of a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/09/2007 | 6 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rock Art & Archaeology, Rocks
a busy week
After a coolish beginning to September, we've been enjoying glorious warm sunny days, sometimes even as hot as 27C (80F). Last Saturday I spent one long day outdoors doing garden chores. On Sunday, we met a daughter and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/09/2007 | 4 comments
themes: Art Exhibitions, Being an Artist, Canada and BC
RETURNS
September's calendar is filling up with interesting events. I've just booked seats to see a Finnish-themed music theatre work by an MFA grad with a Finnish name. As immigrants ourselves, my husband and I were quite intrigued by this... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/09/2007 | be the first to comment
themes: Canada and BC, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, Music
evening cruise
An invitation for visiting aunt and us! from niece and boyfriend with boat: come for a sunset boat ride! Docked at Fisherman's Wharf by False Creek (Vancouver) At the end of the westernmost dock, here's... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/08/2007 | 7 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photography
BC Day long weekend
Our long weekend was a wonderful, busy and mostly family-oriented one. First, a sister-in-law arrived from Idaho on Friday. It's been almost a year since we last saw her. Saturday morning a caravan of three cars of family drove... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/08/2007 | 10 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
a labyrinth
I have often wished to visit some of the labyrinths found in different parts of the world. Strangely, the very first labyrinth I ever did walk on was just a two days ago right here in the Vancouver area.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/08/2007 | 18 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Culture, Rock Art & Archaeology
oil spill
For over a week now, we've been appalled over an environmental disaster that occurred in the Greater Vancouver area. Last Tuesday, July 24th, there was a huge oil spill in Burnaby, a suburb just east of Vancouver, on the south... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/07/2007 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events, Environment
fairies in the garden
Oh my, it's been hot here. Last week we had a record breaking heat wave all over BC. It was about 36C (about 97F) in our neighbourhood! As someone who totally wilts, swells up and gets cranky when it... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/07/2007 | 18 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
a day in June
It's the last day of June already. It was an exceptionally wet month here, but we had a few nice days here and there. One day the other week, I had to shop.. As we sometimes do, my husband and I made plans to meet at the end of his workday....we went on one of our favourite walks along a marvellous seawall.
[Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/06/2007 | 8 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
a wedding
A trip and a wedding took us away this past weekend, in more ways than one. The beauty of the drive over mountains and valleys to a lovely lakeside town made us grateful, once again, that we live in... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/06/2007 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Culture
Bella Coola petroglyphs
Chris Corrigan is presently up in Bella Coola, on the northern coast of British Columbia. I'm very excited to read: "...we hiked up to the incredibly impressive petroglyphs...
Marja-Leena | 24/05/2007 | 1 comment
themes: Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology
spring!
May the longer days put a spring in your step, dear readers in the northern hemisphere. As if in honour of the vernal equinox this evening, today we've had a respite from the November-like monsoons. The sunshine is a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/03/2007 | 6 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Current Events, Home
garden therapy
morning sunshine
a rare event
eyes blinded
Marja-Leena | 06/03/2007 | 13 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photography
Ancient British Columbia
I'm thrilled and proud to have two of my photographs of Hornby Island petroglyphs in this book....
[Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/01/2007 | 3 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Books, Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology
snow day
I wish you many new successes, new joys, good health, peace and contentment, and abundant creativity. Hauskaa Uutta Vuotta! Bonne année! Allen ein frohes Neues Jahr! Happy New Year! I seem to be writing about the weather more than... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/01/2007 | 14 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
another storm
The west coast continues to have numerous windstorms, making for an unusual number this fall and winter. On Friday (January 5th) we had snow in some areas, including ours. That night a short but powerful windstorm caused another power outage,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/01/2007 | 10 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
The Big Storm
Our internet is finally back tonight after three days down, so now I can let you know what excitement we've had here! We've experienced the worst windstorm in the 30 plus years we've lived in the Vancouver area. Of three... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/12/2006 | 9 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Current Events, Home
winter rose
in my garden today
[Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/11/2006 | 15 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Home, Photography
snowy Sunday
As I promised last night, here are a few of our more interesting snow photos taken this afternoon on our walk to the park and around our garden. Though there was not much snow yet, even that little bit... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/11/2006 | 9 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home, Photography
snowing
It is snowing here! Will be back with photos tomorrow, I hope. I love the snow, but not everyone does.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/11/2006 | 3 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
weekend joys
We had a gorgeous sunny day yesterday, perfect for a family gathering to celebrate a daughter's birthday. Today is a fall day with rain, the house is quiet and I'm catching up with a bit of blog reading before... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/09/2006 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Neat stuff
McLaren again
NFB is celebrating 65 years of Animation and I discovered that we can view four of Norman McLaren's films on the Focus on Animation pages....
Marja-Leena | 16/08/2006 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Films
postcard from Pier 21
Today I received the above intriguing postcard from a cousin (he lives in Victoria). Here's part of what he wrote: "Finally found my way back to our Canadian beginnings. This is a great museum. There are artifacts from the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/08/2006 | 2 comments
themes: Canada and BC, History
visitors
Things have been quiet here in blogistan lately while we've been busy with visitors. We've had a really heartwarming reunion with friends whom we haven't seen in over 30 years. Naturally we've been showing them around our beautiful city.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/08/2006 | 2 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Photography
summer lists
these are the dog days hot July, 36C last weekend body and brain sluggish and dull sleep deprived, lazy, unmotivated open windows, catch a breeze smells of distant forest fires, night prowling skunks constant watering garden and self craving... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/07/2006 | 10 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
Happy 139th birthday, Canada!
On this Canada Day, we have pomp and ceremony in Ottawa, parades, musicals events and fireworks in many communities and many vacationers at cottages and campgrounds. We're at home awaiting family guests, some from the US too. The weather... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/07/2006 | 2 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, History
Victoria Day
We've just had a long weekend here in Canada. Victoria Day is a Canadian Statutory Holiday celebrated on the Monday on or before May 24 in honour of both Queen Victoria's birthday and the current reigning Canadian Sovereign's birthday.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/05/2006 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Home
Canadian books
Canadian publisher McClelland & Stewart is celebrating 100 years and has put out their Essential 100 list of books: "Selected from the 700 plus M&S backlist titles currently available, our Essential 100 consists of those titles that should be on... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/05/2006 | 9 comments
themes: Books, Canada and BC, Other artists
Artists in Our Midst 2006
Artists on the west side of Vancouver are once again opening their studios to the public: West Point Grey April 21-23 Kitsilano April 28-30 Dunbar/Kerrisdale May 5-7 Each Friday there is a preview night with entertainment in a local centre.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/04/2006 | be the first to comment
themes: Canada and BC, Other artists
spring!
Some spring flowers from my garden to you, dear readers, on this first day of spring! Well, this year the vernal equinox was gorgeous in Vancouver! Three days of glorious sunshine after a long cold and wet spell, quite... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/03/2006 | 6 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Home
WET!
Weather is a popular subject as it affects everyone. Well, our suffering has been rewarded! Vancouverites can now boast that two records have been broken! One is for the most rainy days in a given month, that is 29 of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/02/2006 | 5 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Current Events
Gung Hay Fat Choi!
Happy New Year, that is the Chinese Lunar Year! "... old debts will be settled, new clothes purchased and homes cleaned and decorated to ring in the New Year with a fresh start. Families gather on the eve of... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/01/2006 | 3 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
a trip with friends
As I mentioned in the last post, our good friends from Denmark arrived last week for a visit! After a day of sightseeing in Vancouver, including a visit at the Museum of Anthropology, we packed up the car and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 11/01/2006 | 3 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Thanksgiving weekend
As you may have guessed from my absence here for a few days, we took a little four day holiday over the Thanksgiving weekend. We had a lovely drive, enjoying the gorgeous fall colours and scenes of numerous mountains... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/10/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Culture
Vaseaux Lake pictographs
My own art work is keeping me preoccupied these days, especially with the exhibition coming up in November, so today I'm being a lazy blogger. May I point you to a link provided once again by reader Bill Knight... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/09/2005 | 12 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology
Labour Day
Today I was scrubbing out dirt and those squatters of damp and dark quarters - slugs, snails, sowbugs, spiders and worms. No, not an art project, rather a gardener's chore. I finally tackled the huge annual task of washing... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/09/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Spirit in the Stone
"Salmon Man" on beach at Quadra Island - drawing by Hilary Stewart I am slowly savoring 'Spirit in the Stone' by Joy Inglis, a book that was recommended to me by reader Irene from Manitoba and which I recently... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/08/2005 | 23 comments
themes: Books, Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology
long weekend
We all like our long weekends, and we are having one now with the first Monday in August being BC Day in British Columbia. I was curious to find out if all our provinces have such a provincially designated holiday... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/07/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC, Culture
island time
We're back! We've had a wonderful little trip to southern Vancouver Island for a few days, visiting family and friends. The weather was in its very best Westcoast summer mode, and we quickly unwound to vacation mood on the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/07/2005 | 2 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Canada Day
Happy 138th Birthday Canada! In honour of the day, the Canadian and inestimable mirabilis has posted a wonderful link to the origins of "O Canada". Calixa Lavallée composed it in 1880 in Quebec City. It remained a French only... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/07/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
weather
When you can't muster a post about anything else, there's always the weather! Yule Heibel, who lives in Victoria, over the water southeast of Vancouver, beat me to it, that is, a discussion of our unusual Westcoast weather. She's said... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/05/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Westcoast retreat
We returned refreshed and relaxed last night from a short holiday, a retreat to our favourite rustic little cabin on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, on Vancouver Island. We were lucky to enjoy the last lovely sunny days... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/03/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Canada and BC
Winter Lights
A 43-year Vancouver tradition, the Carol Ships travel the waters around the city in December, with different destinations each night. People gather in waterfront parks and house parties at homes with waterviews to enjoy these seasonal displays. We vividly... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/12/2004 | be the first to comment
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
Printmaking and Granville Island
It's now raining hard in Vancouver at long last after a hot dry summer and instead of outside work, I suddenly have some free time to blog. Malaspina Printmakers is the subject of a review: Freedom Of The Press... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/08/2004 | be the first to comment
themes: Canada and BC, Culture, Printmaking
Happy Canada Day
It is Canada's 137th birthday! Here's a little background history and how Canada got its name. Many communities have celebrations like parades, free concerts and museums entries, street activities, lots of multicultural performances, and fireworks. Look at capital city... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/07/2004 | 2 comments
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
Canadian culture
'if' backtracked to my post of yesterday on Art in Canada & CBC, so I made a first visit and browse. A recent and particularly timely entry caught my eye, Wyman speaks linked to an interesting and currently very... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/06/2004 | be the first to comment
themes: Canada and BC, Culture
Art in Canada & CBC
Surprise! Google News Canada had linked for a short while, two articles about Art in Canada. Art Matters, by Matthew Teitelbaum, director and CEO of The Art Gallery of Ontario, in the Toronto Star: Teitelbaum makes several interesting and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/06/2004 | be the first to comment
themes: Art Exhibitions, Canada and BC, Culture
petroglyphs in BC
Rock carvings and paintings are found throughout the inhabited world. In British Columbia alone, over 500 examples of this type of archaeological site have been recorded, more than in any other province in Canada. Last week, on our way... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/04/2004 | 1 comment
themes: Canada and BC, Rock Art & Archaeology