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
heartwarming
I know I've been quiet here lately. We've had a full and wonderful week, first with friends visiting from Alberta whom we had not seen in something like a decade. Then yesterday friends from Victoria came for lunch. The... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 27/04/2013 | 9 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events, Human, Photoworks
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
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
Christmas card
As mentioned previously, my current art work is centered around images of hands with objects. Thus came the inspiration for this year's Christmas card, with both our granddaughters' hands holding a Nordic straw Christmas ornament. Giving a gift. I... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/12/2012 | 26 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Culture, Current Events, Home
12/12/12
Interesting date today, isn't it? This sent me for a quick look through my archives for posts on past December 12s. On December 12th, 2005, I wrote about juggling the many roles in my life in this busiest time... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/12/2012 | 8 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Books, Culture, Current Events, Home
solstice 2012
Reading these words about the annual Juhannus/Midsummer Fest and summer holidays in Finland always make me long to be there: ...the country tends to go on holiday from the Midsummer or Juhannus weekend and Finland is more or less... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/06/2012 | 4 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
postcard art fundraiser
I first wrote about this fundraiser, Wish You Were Here, a few weeks ago. It is an inaugural event put on by CARFAC BC for artists. Everyone is welcome to attend the event on Friday, June 22nd at W2... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/06/2012 | 3 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events, Other artists, Recent Exhibitions
pause
Life is happily busy with family. As you probably know, our 'English' family arrived over two weeks ago. Yesterday our eldest daughter arrived for a weekend visit from where she lives about five hours away by car, so all... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/06/2012 | 6 comments
themes: Current Events, Home
mothering
Most of us remember our mothers, whether they are still with us or have passed on like mine, on the second Sunday of May in many countries, or on other dates in other places. I like to quietly remember... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/05/2012 | 7 comments
themes: Current Events, History
the Finnish language
A talk about the Finnish language
Marja-Leena | 21/04/2012 | 4 comments
themes: Anthropology, Current Events, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, Linguistics
to friends & lovers
Happy Friendship Day, or as the Finns say: Hauskaa Ystävänpäivää, dear readers! Or if you prefer, Happy Valentine's ! And here is a heartwarming and exceptionally well-done video which I hope you will enjoy as much as I have:... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/02/2012 | 17 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events
revisiting the past
I wonder how many bloggers go back over their archives and get lost rereading old posts? I've been doing that a lot since the blog redesign went up for I've had to check for certain funky things going on,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/02/2012 | 13 comments
themes: Blogging, Current Events
demolition
Two days ago we became quite distracted by the demolition of a house next door, spending much of the day watching... no, gawking out the window and taking photographs. We were most impressed by the skill of the operator... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 19/01/2012 | 17 comments
themes: Current Events, Environment
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
near year's end
images captured early morning, December 22nd Christmas with our family was wonderful though too short a time. On the morning of the Feast of Stephen our eldest daughter and partner left and that afternoon our good friends arrived. A... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/12/2011 | 9 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events
Winter Stories 2011
Since Christmas 2003, our granddaughter Lael, now eleven, and later joined by her six- year old sister Niamh, have told the most delightful winter stories to share as holiday greetings with family and friends around the world. It's a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 25/12/2011 | 9 comments
themes: Current Events, Other artists
solstice and yule time
at 9:30 pm here in the Pacific Standard Time zone on this evening of December 2011, if I understand it right, it is Solstice Time, time to nod to Midwinter and the pagan traditions of Yule, Yulefest, Jul, Joulu....... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/12/2011 | 5 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Culture, Current Events
two years ago
While browsing through some photos from two years ago, I was struck by the one above which looks like a double-exposure but I think it's a combination of views and reflections on windows. I probably rejected it as a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/12/2011 | 9 comments
themes: Culture, 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
Santa Lucia
Illustration by Satomi Ichikawa in Merry Christmas - Children at Christmastime around the world (Wm.Heinemann, 1983) in white dresses and red sashes..... Today is Santa Lucia's Day, celebrated by the Swedish and other Nordic communities. As I wrote a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 13/12/2011 | 6 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
getting into the mood
for Christmas, that is... a favourite photo posted three years ago ~ Visited the annual Christmas Craft Fair: at the Scandinavian Centre a week ago Sunday and bought some Christmas gifts and lots of Finnish pulla and Karelian pies, a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 05/12/2011 | 7 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events, Home
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
weathering october
Summer was short. The rains of fall started early and I'm wondering if we will get any Indian summer. Gardening has been hit and miss. On some rare dry days, I'm trying to take cuttings and divisions and bring... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 09/10/2011 | 13 comments
themes: Current Events, Home
tender 2
Marja-Leena | 23/08/2011 | 18 comments
themes: Current Events, Nature, Photoworks
care of seniors and prisoners
Let us put our old folks in prisons and the criminals in old folks' homes! This way the elders get daily showers, exercise and fresh air. No one can steal from them... and they receive money instead of having... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/08/2011 | 18 comments
themes: Current Events
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
early Sunday morn
Opa spotted the grandgirls enjoying a sunny morning story time while most of the house occupants are fast asleep!... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/06/2011 | 12 comments
themes: Current Events, Home
whirlwind weekend
photos by FVR Whew! What a full weekend of travel, visiting family and attending the lovely wedding in the woods of one of my nephews. Lots of talk, hugs, love, reconnecting with extended family and meeting new family. How... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/06/2011 | 8 comments
themes: Current Events
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
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
hope and optimism
sleepless for hours last night, with churning thoughts and emotions, including despair and anger and tears, over the tragedies in Japan as well as the messages in the Suzuki film (see previous post) sitting in the dark with only... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/03/2011 | 8 comments
themes: Current Events, Environment
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
lunar eclipse at winter solstice
Photograph by Heribert Proepper, AP Tonight or actually in the wee hours of tomorrow morning, if you are lucky with the weather and live in the northern hemisphere, you can celebrate the Winter Solstice in grand fashion with a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 20/12/2010 | 9 comments
themes: Current Events, Folk Legends & Myths, Neat stuff
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
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
a reunion
home late from an amazing reunion of 'preschool moms' my ears are ringing from all the excited chatter and laughter some of us haven't seen each other in more than 30 years plus a few good friends who are... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/11/2010 | 6 comments
themes: Current Events
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
saving time
Prague Astronomical Clock, photographed on our visit in spring 2002 In most parts of Canada, early Sunday morning our clocks will be adjusted back to regular time (remember "spring forward, fall back"). It used to be at the end... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/11/2010 | 10 comments
themes: Current Events, History
to carers
It is Mother's Day here in Canada and a few other countries, but I'd like to honour not just mothers, but all people, young and old, who care for their families, friends, patients or strangers! You make this mixed... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 09/05/2010 | 10 comments
themes: Current Events
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
Happy New Year 2010
My husband and I will be home tonight with sleeping granddaughters. We'll enjoy a quiet evening with a late simple supper of turkey soup, then some games or a movie, accompanied by some Christmas baking and chocolates, some Finnish... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/12/2009 | 15 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events
happy winterfest
Happy Christmas, Hauskaa Joulua, Frohe Weihnachten, Joyeux Noël, God Jul or Blessed Midwinter! Wishing all of you a joyful holiday, full of cheer with those who are dear, as well as some quiet moments for gratitude and peace. Many... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/12/2009 | 15 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Culture, Current Events
safe arrivals
Our middle daughter and our granddaughters arrived late this afternoon safe, sound and tired from their long flight from London, England with only slight delays but nothing like during last year's snowstorms. How excited we all were to see... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/12/2009 | 11 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events
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
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
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
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
a new day
Tom Montag and I have collaborated once again to create a postcard with a short poem called A New Day for Postal Poetry. Though they accepted this some time ago, the editors Dana Guthrie Martin and Dave Bonta have... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/01/2009 | 9 comments
themes: Blogging, Current Events
together for peace
It's been very foggy for several days here in Vancouver and matching it is my brain fog caused by a head cold. It's a bit like being tongue-tied. So once again, I'm using the words of others here, this... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/01/2009 | 8 comments
themes: Current Events, Films
cease the fighting
Pablo Picasso: Guernica 1937 (from artquotes.net) I rarely write about politics and wars here yet I must say that I've been unable to put out of my mind the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Mainstream and alternative media... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 14/01/2009 | 8 comments
themes: Blogging, Current Events, History
New Year's Hope
'Tis the sixth day of Christmas and another New Year's Eve before us, how the year flew by! As I drank my breakfast tea over our local newspaper, the editorial pleased me in putting some of my own thoughts... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/12/2008 | 10 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events, 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
fairy happy birthday
We've just had a delightful iChat (video chat) with our youngest granddaughter Niamh on her third birthday. She opened her birthday presents in front of us, then promptly began to paint with the watercolours and paper we gave... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/11/2008 | 5 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events
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
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
a low-carb diet
Thanks to an email alert from the local Finnish community, last night my husband and I enjoyed an interesting creative documentary film on CBC Newsworld's Passionate Eye : RECIPES FOR DISASTER, a Millennium Film of Finland production, directed by John... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 18/02/2008 | 8 comments
themes: Current Events, Environment, Films, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
busy winter days
- a weekend trip to Vancouver Island with our daughters and grand-daughters - a happy meeting of friends on the ferry, we of three generations each - a lovely memorial/celebration of the life of my dear uncle - the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 11/12/2007 | 3 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events
two candles for Finland
In honour of Finland's 90th Independence Day (Itsenäisyys Päivä) today, I have lit these two candles in a window, as is the custom there. "Why two candles? Well, one is for home, the other is for country. This silent... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 06/12/2007 | 6 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
goodbye, Uncle T
Yesterday, my cousin A phoned to let us know that her father, my uncle on my mother's side, passed away. He'd turned 84 only a week earlier, so T lived a long life. A good man, T was my... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/11/2007 | 23 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events
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
frights and feasts
As you are out tonight chasing ghosts and goblins, watch out for what may be underfoot.
Marja-Leena | 31/10/2007 | 4 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Culture, Current Events
more witchiness
Thinking about witchy trees has been making me see even witchy seeds.
Marja-Leena | 28/10/2007 | 11 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events, Home
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
a queen's birthday
She reigned for 63 years, seven months and two days -- the longest reign ever. She was five feet tall and monarch to one-quarter of the world's population. She was 81 when she died. Her own sons lifted her... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 21/05/2007 | 4 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events
garden tour
You are invited on a little tour of a few highlights in my spring garden: Here are the winter pansies in a pot by the back door, over there are the last tulips amongst the forget-me-nots,... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/05/2007 | 6 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events, Home
Congrats, Grads!
One of the more splendid events in the merry month of May is graduation. This year we join many proud parents of sons and daughters who are graduating this month from institutes of higher education. Our daughter Erika has... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 02/05/2007 | 6 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events, Other artists
earth day
Happy Earth Day, every day! Do you realize that the environmental movement has been around for many decades? It has had its ups and downs in support, but it seems to me that this year there is a greater... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/04/2007 | 9 comments
themes: Current Events, Environment
diversions
I've recently come across some great links on a couple of interesting subjects - the first an important environmental story and the second a fascinating linguistic and ethnological one. 1. At Biodynamic Farming and Gardening I found out about a... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/04/2007 | 4 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events, Environment, Ethnicity, Linguistics
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
International Women's Day 2007
Today we are celebrating the achievements of women around the world on this International Women's Day. It's an important way to remember the struggles of women who fought for equality for their sisters and coming generations of women. My... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/03/2007 | 4 comments
themes: Current Events, History
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
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
Nov.16th
November 16th will always be an especially significant day for us...
[Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/11/2006 | 18 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events
Sept.11, 1906
It's hard to avoid all the nauseous revisiting of the events of five years ago, even in our Canadian media and present government. Unwilling as I am to be drawn into this again, especially since I avoid the subject... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 11/09/2006 | 5 comments
themes: Current Events, History
soccer balls!
Here's something fun in honour of the World Cup finals this weekend, from Anthropology.net - "The World Cup, globalization, and cultural representations in the form of soccer balls!" Togo, Ecuador, and Australia have the most beautiful designs, imho. Which... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 07/07/2006 | 4 comments
themes: Current Events
Happy Walpurgisnacht
"Ah, it's May Eve", I wrote last year, "Almost anywhere else on the planet this would not be so very significant, but in Finland it means "Vappu", a kind of Finnish "Mardi Gras meets the Rite of Spring", with... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 30/04/2006 | 2 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
this earth
What a glorious sunny day yesterday, with more ahead! Despite my cold, I was drawn outdoors to check the amazing growth in just a week. Everything is green and lush, the tulips are glowing in their riotous colours, the... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 23/04/2006 | 8 comments
themes: Current Events, Environment
cherry blossoms & snow
A new cultural event taking place right now in Vancouver is the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, a celebration of the 36,000 cherry trees in the city's parks, boulevards, and private gardens, more than in any other Canadian city. According... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/03/2006 | 4 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events
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
arts & culture in Canada
As some readers may know, Canadians have been subjected to another election campaign and will be going to the polls on Monday, January 23rd. An issue that has not been discussed by any party is arts and culture. CBC... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/01/2006 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events
Happy New Year!
It is the sixth day of Christmas and tonight is New Year's Eve. We have been busy getting ready for friends from Victoria coming for this weekend, and friends from Denmark coming next week. What a great way to... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 31/12/2005 | 2 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Culture, Current Events
Merry Christmas, Hauskaa Joulua
Warmest wishes to all for a Happy Christmas, Hauskaa Joulua, Frohe Weihnachten, Joyeux Noël, Happy Chanukah, Matunda Ya Kwanzaa and Happy Holidays.... and Peace on Earth! Thank you, dear readers, for your support and friendship throughout the year -... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 22/12/2005 | 3 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Culture, Current Events
roles
What a busy time of year! I feel like my several "roles" in life are all in competition. Here are the most demanding ones right now: THE ARTIST spent a surprisingly pleasant hour and a half last Friday morning... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 12/12/2005 | 5 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events
EU Flag's 50th
Living in North America, I don't seem to hear enough about European news, especially about the European Union. So it's very interesting to me to learn that recently there was an installation of possibly the world's largest flag in... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 10/12/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Current Events, History
New Orleans
Like everyone, I've been following the terrible tragedy of New Orleans in news and blogs, feeling deeply but not writing much myself. So many of us who have visited New Orleans have been recalling it, thankful for having had that... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 04/09/2005 | 5 comments
themes: Culture, Current Events
September
back to school a new year new pencils and notebooks new shoes new sweater new hopes and fears for little children kindergarten elementary school for teens first high school then university or tech mature student back to university life... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 01/09/2005 | 2 comments
themes: Being an Artist, Current Events
freedom blogs
I rarely touch on politics in my own little blogworld, but thought this international effort worthy of a mention: Reporters Without Borders selected around 60 blogs that, each in their own way, defend freedom of expression. The organisation then asked... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 17/06/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Blogging, Current Events
Hubble is 15
Happy 15th Birthday to Hubble, showcasing nature's greatest artworks for 15 years.... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 26/04/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Current Events
Stolen Art
You may recall my posts last month about Pnina Granirer's exhibition and my visit to her studio. Some time ago, I was horrified to learn that two of her works have been stolen. This is a terrible thing for an... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/04/2005 | 2 comments
themes: Current Events, Other artists
International Women's Day
To all women in the world today, International Women's Day... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 08/03/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Current Events
ArtsNow for Olympics 2010
The monthly Opus Visual Arts Newsletter (in print and online) provides useful information for artists such as calls for submissions, some arts news and, my favourite part, an always thoughtful and well-written editorial by arts advocate Chris Tyrell. Sometimes... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 16/01/2005 | be the first to comment
themes: Being an Artist, Culture, Current Events
Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster
I don't usually touch on political and world events here, but the magnitude of the human and economic disaster in the countries around the Indian Ocean compels me to join many others in expressing early disbelief, horrified awe and... [Continue Reading...]Marja-Leena | 28/12/2004 | be the first to comment
themes: Current Events