A high-speed chase with one of my subjects? June 2026 update
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
It seems like the weather has finally decided to get damper. Which is good news, because I've planted a lot of trees and other plants! While I wasn't planting in May I was busy painting. Let's get up to date!
In this update:
The first time I saw one of my favourite painting subjects
Psst…put this on your calendar!
This month: two workshops in Williams Lake
On my easel: Birds big and small!
The first time I saw one of my favourite painting subjects
The yellow dune buggy flew down the gravel road, its engine screaming in protest at sudden acceleration. In the front bucket seats, my Dad and Mom sat calmly, though my Dad’s hands gripped the steering wheel hard enough I could see his veins popping. In the back seats, my three sisters and I held onto the roll bar and laughed. Every few seconds we peeked back at the huge black bear in full sprint, its eyes tightly focused on the yellow streak of dune buggy and its squealing contents.
Yes, a black bear. I was 10 years old and this was my first encounter with a bear. I felt no fear, only excitement. I had no doubt my Dad would drive fast enough to save us. The camping trip had been his idea, after all.
In those years, my family didn’t camp like people do today, booking campsites at provincial parks or RV parks, towing their mammoth fifth-wheel trailers. When we camped, my parents piled us all into the car (no seatbelts in those days) and we drove into the wilderness until my Dad decided we had gone far enough (or he had grown tired of hearing four little girls shrieking). At that point, we’d pull over and set up a tent, a large, heavy canvas affair that could fit all six of us (seven when my brother arrived!). No reservations and no campsite required.
Camping was exciting and fun. We fished, we swam, we whittled wood figures, we climbed trees. We never worried about wild animals or getting hurt. The outdoors was our playground and we made the most of it. Finding the bear while we were out in the dune buggy was just a bonus.
I have seen many bears since that first encounter. One year, my husband and I ran into eight separate bears on hiking trips. Most of them were good bears that ran off when they saw us or we yelled at them. Some took a little more persuasion before they turned and loped away. Just last year, I saw six black bears (including two cubs) in one day while we were canoeing in the Cariboo.
Maybe all these run-ins with bears are the reason I like to paint bears today. Maybe, in some small way, I’m paying them tribute, thanking them for treating me well and reminding me there is still wildness in the wilderness.
Oh, the bear that chased us when I was 10? We eventually outran the bear, then drove back to our campsite. My Dad was quite pleased with himself and with how his homemade dune buggy had performed. I guess if I had known then what I know now I might have been worried. But that day I was nothing but happy.
Psst…put this on your calendar!
A few days ago, I received notice that my application to participate in this year’s Lake Country ArtWalk had been accepted.
If you haven't heard of it, the artwalk features up to 200 artists showcasing and selling their original works over two days. As many as 7,000 people attend each year to view and buy art and take part in live artist demonstrations, workshops, a live art auction and more.
It’s not easy to get into the event: each artist must submit several pieces of art that are reviewed by a jury. I have been in the artwalk a few times before, but I never take for granted that I will get in.
I’m painting at a furious pace now to be sure I will have enough paintings to make a good show. My paintings keep selling! But that’s a good problem to have.
I’ll talk more about the artwalk in future newsletters, but for now, put it on your calendar: September 12-13 in Lake Country, B.C. I’d love to see you there!
This month: two workshops in Williams Lake
Later this month I will be holding two workshops in two days at the Station House Gallery in Williams Lake, B.C.
In the first workshop, on Friday, June 19, I will work with participants to paint a bold, beautiful bear. This has been one of my most popular workshops over the last two years and I’m pleased to offer it again for a new community.
In the second workshop, on Saturday, June 20, we will paint brilliant birds. It’s still spring for a few more days and the air is filled with bird song. What better subject to capture in paint?
Both workshops are suitable for all levels and I will be providing all supplies.
If you’re interested in attending, you can register on the Station House Gallery's events page.
On my easel: Birds big and small!
For several weeks now, I've been staying at our off-grid property (I wrote about it in last month's newsletter if you're curious). One of my favourite things to do there is to watch all the birds and paint them.
Lately, I've been working on paintings of two families of Canada Geese that have made their home in our pond. The families have six goslings between them. They are so cute I can't resist painting them! They grow fast, though, so it's important to take photos.
Besides the geese, I've also been working on paintings of hummingbirds. We have a hummingbird feeder at the pond, but occasionally the hummingbirds are attracted to my red hair and buzz by my head — they think I'm a big flower!
I'm sure in the next few weeks I'll end up painting a lot more birds. Let me know what your favourite bird is, and maybe I'll paint it, too!
Thank you for reading my update newsletter! Get in touch if you have questions, feedback or want to talk.
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