Art, Music and Culture

This last week the work on the farm as well as our adventures have winded down. We are gearing up for the next part of our journey to the south Okanagan, which already has me planning our travel routes, where we will overnight and packing.

Since we have stayed close to home, it has allowed me much time to finish up my art projects, research my future travels, music and art as well as dream.

I have fallen in love with this painting by Julie Hilgemann, a local artist on the island. It is called 'Little Pirate' and is a potrait of Hilgemann's daughter. The painting is done in encaustic which is a method I have never before heard of in my artistic experience. Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid/paste is then applied to a surface—usually prepared wood, though canvas and other materials are often used. Hilgemann's painting won the Award For Excellence in Combined Media at the C.I.P.A. National Portrait Show, in Calgary, AB. It is beautiful.


The local Haida art is also renowned. I have been able to pick up a few smaller pieces of argellite jewellery, carvings of a stone only found on these islands, as they were the only pieces within my budget. Art is one of the few concessions I make within my fairly tight travel budget, because I like supporting artists, local economies and appreciate the handy work of others. However, I never fail to be disappointed that I cannot bring home some of the exquisite pieces I see on my travels because I have neither the room nor the money. I always have to tell myself that those pieces are for when I have a home to display the work and the income to support my purchases. Until then I can dream - or maybe buy my parents their birthday and Christmas gifts well in advance!


This month has been quite productive for both Bonnie and I artistically as well. I started out knitting a new pattern and make a scarf, but only ended up having enough for a scarf for a teddy. Then in preparation for Easter, I painted a number of eggs - my favourite is included above on one of the very special blue eggs laid by one of our chickens. Last, I did an oil painting of a horse (see left). Elizabeth has been the recipient of most of the goodies produced, and the painting is a big thank you to her for our stay. Elizabeth loves horses.

Bonnie has knitted a sweater for a friend, a hat and painted a beautiful horse painting as well (see right). She even went to all the trouble of having it framed on the island, but it was well worth it.

I always enjoy doing work with my hands and hope that my artistic and creative skills will be able to develop through my travels. I find that when you are thrown into the work place, the ability to be creative is the most common element missing from the majority of jobs. When a person is not allowed to be creative, they stop thinking beyond the tasks required of them which eventually leads to all loss of thought all together! It is definitely a sad demise, but one I believe so many people are subject to in order to be able to pay for the lives they are trying to achieve. One of the reason's I left my job is because I had far too many days when I was not able to think for the sake of efficiency - though understandably necessary, this is not what I want for my life.

I miss music the most living in the country. The exposure here is limited, and I am very much looking forward to going to the Sasquatch! Music Festival at the Gorge in the state of Washington for Memorial Day long weekend. Lately I have been splitting my time updating myself on the bands that will be playing at the festival and downloading their latest albums. I am most looking forward to hearing the Foo Fighter, The Decembrists and Sam Roberts Band.

Last year I went to the Sasquatch Festival but only for one day. The music was outstanding, the energy of the crowd electric, and the setting unbelievable. The Gorge is a natural amphitheatre on the Columbia River. There are no trees, only rolling hills and the warm sun.

After living in Europe in 2007, I also became a little bit obsessed with all things Canadian. The best source in my opinion for Canadian music both new and old is the CBC Radio 3 website. Not only do they have thousands of songs available to stream, but also in depth profiles on artists, concert listings of Canadian artists from Coast to Coast, music reviews and really so much more. Try giving The Sheepdogs, The New Pornographers, Keys'n Krates or Boxer the Horse a listen.

The magazines that I read the most and the only two to which I have a subscription are U.S-based Outside Magazine and Canadian-based Explore Magazine. The primary reason that I enjoy these magazines so much is because I find the stories compelling and inspirational. I like being able to look up to athletes or adventurers for the feats that they have accomplished. I equally enjoy reading about places and events in this world that are considered off-the-beaten path for most tourists, but are meccas for outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers. I consider myself amongst the latter group. I also hope to become much more knowledgeable about outdoor gear and companies in order to satisfy both my safety and fun requirements for my adventures.

Though, one of the common themes I have come to recognize in many of the magazines' features, is the theme of depression (and death). I am unsure if tragic tales really make the most compelling reads or if depression is in fact what unites the top adrenaline junkies, travelers and outdoor athletes. It seems that those who are able to push the limits of human ability and human bravery are also the most troubled with the mundane quality of everyday life. It's as if such a person cannot actually feel alive unless they are in fact pushing the boundary of their mortality and glimpsing death. A perfect example is Norwegian Redbull athlete, BASE jumper Karina Hollekim. If you watch "20 seconds of joy", you will see a girl that is unable to be present in her everyday life and is forced to dive after death to feel alive.

I can certainly relate to these feelings, though luckily not to such an extreme. I feel most happy when I am travelling to new places, am pushing myself outside of my comfort zone or am physically pushing myself to my limits. It does make slowing down depressing at times, but I am hoping I have these feelings primarily because I am young. Only time will tell.