The Relaxing Squamish Mountains

I was inspired by Ted Harrison and decided to paint my own picture using his style! I wanted to create something that held meaning to me. I decided to paint Trevor a picture that would mean a lot to both of us. Every summer we go camping several times up in Squamish along the river and it is so relaxing. I find when I'm up in the mountains breathing in fresh air, away from the hustle bustle of the city and listening to the river flow by there is no other place I would rather be. That is the meaning behind my picture I painted. I drew Trevor's truck (with Rebecca's help here and there!) and then the two of us under the mountains alongside the river.

Gretzky wasn't always the great one.

Encouragement is key. When I started drawing I was no Emily Carr but with my Mom's encouragement I had confidence to try new things. If we don't encourage children to expand their own creativity then we shouldn't be surprised when they want to just give up.

I love this picture I found by Ted Harrison. The bottom of the picture he says, "Paint how you feel and what you feel. Don't allow anyone to tell you that it must be done in a certain way. Be yourself. A lot of people are put off art because they have an art teacher who tells them exactly how to do everything and it inhibits them. It's like going to play hockey for the first time and expecting to be a Gretzky. You've got to start from the bottom and just enjoy yourself. In the enjoyment you become keen and motivated. If you don't enjoy yourself there's something wrong."

When I first read this quote I was moved. I found it so easy to relate to Ted Harrison's view being an athlete myself. When I was starting hockey I was not the best player out there but with support, encouragement, and dedication I was able to improve a lot over the years.

I hope this quote by Ted Harrison will inspire other people the way it inspires me.

Scribbles Are Dribbles to Creativity

Last weekend while I was home in Smithers I came across a picture that my mom keeps under the glass cover of her jewellery box. When I was in my teen years I would often wonder why she valued this piece of scribble I had done for her so many years ago. After reading Chapter 5 in the textbook it is easy to see that I was right on track with my drawings.

I just think it is so neat to now look back on something like this and see how far I have come over the years. I started out drawing pictures of my mom with a massive head full of madness, no body or arms, and rather lengthy svelte legs and now my mom has all her body parts where they ought to be!

By revisiting some of my old art projects from my younger years I have realized the importance of allowing young children to express themselves how they wish. I think if my mom told me at the time that I forgot to give her legs or arms and she was out of proportion, I may have given up on the visual arts altogether. Instead, my mom has cherished this simple picture for so many years!