A Salish Sea Sister Says So Long

 A Fond Farewell from Lauri 

 

At the beginning of 2010 we planted the first seeds to grow the Salish Sea Market. Since then, some wonderfully deep roots have grown with our talented family of artists, our loyal customers both in-person and online, as well as with the surrounding community. Through the efforts and commitment of all involved we’ve produced a living, breathing venture that flourishes more and more each year.
 
A warm, beautiful Spring has most certainly arrived on the shores of the Salish Sea, and brought with it the winds of change.  

I have two important announcements to share with you.

The first is that after much deliberation, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the Market and turn my attention to new adventures. 

As a co-creator of the Salish Sea Market, it's been a wonderful journey to build it alongside Sharon, with the valuable assistance of our bookkeeper Simone and teammate Joanne, from concept to reality. I've enjoyed looking beyond the skeptical expressions from the folks who wondered in the early days if an art gallery could grow, let alone succeed, in the tiny rural community of Bowser. What we know now is that the Market has become a key draw to our area, and become a destination for locals, tourists, as well as for Vancouver Islanders from other parts of the island.

The real joy for me though, has been in the relationships we have built with the people - artists and customers alike. It's been an absolute privilege to have a front row seat to watch our artists grow, stretch and reach new heights with their art. And it's been a joy to meet so many wonderful people who frequent the Market because they love to be surrounded by such artistic inspiration. We've shared laughter, tears, high-fives, sorrow and celebration. It just doesn't get much better than that.

And now for the second announcement. Please join me in congratulating Sharon as she takes the helm at the Salish Sea Market. I look forward to seeing how she will offer her personal flavour to the Market and take it to new levels of excellence.

Both Sharon and I are looking forward to our respective new chapters, and we hope you'll join us as we celebrate the fabulously artful journey of the last four years, as well as the exciting new adventures that lie ahead for each of us.
 
So, I wholeheartedly offer my thanks to each of you for being a part of this journey with me.

With love,
Lauri

Art In Unexpected Places

“This world is but a canvas for our imagination.” ― Henry David Thoreau

A most INCREDIBLE work of art has arrived in the Market.

Imaginatively created by the folks at Discovery Metal Creations, each branch has been painstakingly crafted, hand-pounded and given a wonderful patina. 

We love how the roots of this one-of-a-kind piece meander their way down the burl.

We offer a warm welcome to...

 ...artist Esther Sample as she joins our family of artists! 

A commercial fisher-person for many years, Esther traveled all over the coast of BC, hiding from storms in little hidden coves, seeing places long forgotten. This is when she became passionate about the natural coastline and the people who live on it.

Today Esther can be found in her home studio in the Comox Valley passionately painting the west coast as she sees it. Being mainly self taught, she feels the freedom of not knowing the “rules” and just painting as her heart guides her.

Among many other pieces by Esther, "Graceful Diver" print on canvas has just arrived in the Market for your artful perusal.

Wishing you and your family...

...all the best on this Easter long weekend!

We will be closed on Good Friday,

and open 11-4 on Sat., Sun., and Mon.

Pottery by Laura Gosnell
Nest cards by Tammie Hunter
Original Nest on Canvas by Patricia Banks

We're expecting warm weather this weekend...

 ...on the shores of the Salish Sea! 

These tabletop rock mats by Happy Pebble Rock Mats are PERFECT for dining alfresco! 

(okay maybe under a patio heater in April...)

The Spirit of Artist Karen Anema

  

To meet artist Karen Anema, is to feel the power and emotion that emits from her as explains each of her pieces and what inspired her to create them.

"Peace Mask" 

and 

"If I Were a Raven" 

have just arrived and are now gracing the walls of the Market.

Both are original acrylic on canvas.

Do you still have your mum or grandma's the jar of buttons?

Many people tell us about their wonderful childhood memories sitting cross legged on the floor looking at the buttons for hours on end. While you and I are reminiscing (about the buttons and sitting cross legged) the folks from Mile Zero are busy making button bracelets out of them.
What? You haven't tried wearing one of these little gems? They are SERIOUSLY fun and surprisingly work with just about any occasion!

Yippee!! Woo Hoo!!

Thank you for being part of 

our artful adventure!

Brian is one of the bright lights of Bowser. He is always looking out for others, always thinking of what others need. Today, we celebrate Brian, and all that he does for this little community on the shores of the Salish Sea.

Congratulations and Happy 10th Anniversary to Lighthouse Feed and Garden and to Bowser's own Mr. Brian Boyes, a.k.a the "Prince of Bowsaire!" 

Love from, The Salish Sea Sisters
Joanne, Lauri, Sharon and Simone

Spring on the shores of the Salish Sea!!

(Sorry about the 50 cm of white stuff you're expecting today east coasters...sending you lots of warm thoughts from our side!)

This week we had the privilege of being flies on the wall while artists Cindy Mawle and Kevin Johnson exchanged experiences of what happens during the creative process from beginning to finishing (or not) their respective works of art. 

 Their conversation sounded a lot like this. :)

 

It's "International Happiness Day!"

This is how some folks choose to celebrate

 on the shores of the Salish Sea today!

How will you celebrate?

We're happy to report to you today that kindness is alive and well in our delightful little community! 

Within the first 90 min we were open today we had happy Ted from Bowser Esso come and unlock an artist's vehicle for the cost of a handshake. We watched another local help an elderly gal out to her car, and another generous soul who walked over to stand some of our art back up after it had blown over with the wind. 

Yeah for good hearts and helping hands in downtown Bower!! 

Keep an eye out folks...

 there's good happening all over the place!

Bowser artist Elissa Anthony held a "name that painting" for a new piece of work she brought into the Market this week. Congratulations to Stacy Chadwick Havas for suggesting "Morning Glory". 

Come into the Market to see Morning Glory for yourself in person - it'll put a little light in your day.

Artist Tammie Hunter has a challenge for you! 

Are you ready? 

Are you up for it?

Tammie recently finished this red octopus painting for the 'Fin to Feather' Art Show we've sponsored at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station for the Brant Festival. It's an incredible work of art...BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE A NAME!

We want to hear your ideas! Post a comment below, on our Facebook page, come into the Market or visit the Station in person to offer your suggestions. 

She has a special prize for the 

person who suggests the name she chooses!

It's taken two full days with many hands and creative minds to set up the art show at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station, and it's been time well-spent! 

The Gala dinner last night was a sold-out-smash-hit! We quickly took a photo of Fiona Hawkes work before the dinner started. These MUST be seen up close. There's such emotion in the eyes of these whales...

We're excited to share with you...

Artist Ed Oldfield has completed the first of two phases to install this wonderful west coast work of art at the entrance to the Deep Bay Marine Field Station! 

Ed's installation is just in time for the opening of the art show sponsored by the Salish Sea Market entitled 'Fin to Feather' which is part of this year's Brant Wildlife Festival celebrations.

The show features many talented west coast artists including The Pencil Artwork of Kevin Johnson, White Cap Art by Tammie Hunter, Cindy Mawle, West Coast Contemporary Artist, Discovery Metal Creations, Red Cod Forge, Ed Oldfield, Perri Sparks, Corry Lunn, Kastawayz Metal Art, Sandra Fowler, Esther Sample and many more. 

The show runs from March 10–April 14th, 2014 10am – 4pm daily. http://www.viu.ca/deepbay/visit-us/events.asp

Attention!

A new shipment of chocolate has arrived from Salish Sea Chocolate Company. 

Do we need to stress the fact that we just said CHOCOLATE??? 


We thought not.

Well THAT'S a lotta snow!

  

We hope you're staying warm and safe!

What's even more fabulous about this fish?

It required me to lay face down on the cold cement floor to film it. 

Of course, a guest walked into the Market within about a minute and instantly looked concerned. "I have NOT fallen, and yes I CAN get up!" was the only thing I could think of. 

Only in Bowser... ;)

SWEEEEEET!! (and Spicy)

Just in time for 

Valentine's Day!! 

Artisan sea salt caramels by Clever Crow are on their way to the Market as we speak! Each one topped with hand harvested sea salt and individually wrapped with care. Limited quantities so hurry!! 

Puzzled, perplexed and befuddled about what to get your guy for Valentine's Day? We just received more Sweet and Spicy Almonds! 

SWEET AND SPICY - like your relationship... ;)

Still haven't picked up a card for your Valentine?

There are only 3 more sleeps 

BUT DONT FREAK OUT! 

We've got a great selection of artful cards like these by Canadian treasure Charles van Sandwyk. 



In fact, our cards are so beautiful they'll earn you oodles of brownie points with your sweetie for quite some time!

It's the LOVE month!

These wonderful heart pendants created from a selection of west coast wood are just the thing to give your Valentine this year. 

(Or...if you'd like us to whisper in your Valentine's ear to tell them how much you LOVE these, just say the word! We've got your back!)

Farewell Sweet Sockeye

While we're talking about good-byes, we whispered a fond farewell last week to one of our favourite pieces, "Sockeye" - Double Raku Salmon mounted on driftwood by artist Ed Oldfield. Sigh...we'll sure miss this one. 

On the upside, it's going to live in Courtenay with a REALLY nice couple! Their only challenge now is to see which one of them will win with respect to which room it'll go in. (In hindsight we should have made it even more interesting and placed a bet on this...)

We've said good-bye to some incredible pieces of art in the last couple of weeks, including this powerful piece entitled "Shore Patrol" by pencil artist Kevin Johnson. 


 

















While we've had Kevin's work in the Market for some time now, we never lose that awe-inspiring sense of wonder that washes over us when we look closely at his work. It's just so darned incredible that he can do that with a pencil. 

We're thrilled to say that "Shore Patrol" has gone to live with a very nice (and happy!) woman down island.

Perhaps you've been giving "Hallmark" to your sweetheart on Valentine's Day for as long as you can remember. 

What if you shook things up a bit (Whoa Nelly, that's crazy talk!!) and chose to give an artful card created by a local artist this year?

Psst...Here's a hint! Handmade cards are so beautiful they're both a card and a gift in one!! BONUS!!

"I Heart You" card by Sherrin Western, 

Rock Mat by Cindy Hussey

While we love having you come in to admire and dream about owning that artful piece you've fallen in love with...your dream can become a reality. 

Perhaps more easily than you think.

What's a Ceilidh you ask?

Ceilidh: an Irish or Scottish social gathering with traditional music, dancing, and storytelling.
 
In other words, a 'Ceilidh' is a 'Party', and the Bowser Senior Housing Society is hosting one in Bowser on February 1st!! 

Come and warm your winter toes up and dance to the lively tunes from Celtic Chaos. And if you still need to shake of this west coast winter you can warm yourself from the inside out with some fabulous Irish food!
 

Come and get your tickets now, we've got them right here at the Salish Sea Market! 

For more info follow this link:

 http://bowser-seniors-housing-society.org/

It's impossible to not stop and giggle the sight of watching a family of quail as they scurry past you in a straight line, all pairs of feet moving at lightening speed.

It's also impossible to not stop and enjoy the sight of this family of metal quail created by the folks at Kastawayz Metal Art that currently greet you outside the Market!!

Announcing a wonderful event that's coming to the Deep Bay Marine Field Station!

The Wild Windwards

A film about an adventurous duo, Thorsten Boehnke and Laura Winter, who set out on their 40ft sailing vessel named "Corinthian' to raise awareness of environmental stories. They explore the southern Caribbean visiting conservation projects, nature reserves, and endangered species to raise awareness of the beauty of nature and the challenges facing the environment. Through the films that they shoot, they share the stories of people working to protect the environment. 

A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening.
 
Saturday, January 26th 2:00 pm
Thursday February 6th 7:00 pm
Tickets $10 in advance only.
Doors open 1 hour early. Come early for coffee and treats!

For more information contact the Station at 250-740-6611

Follow the link below for more information about the film and filmmakers - http://running-downwind.tv/trailer-wildwindwards.html

Michelangelo said, “I saw the angel in the stone, and carved until I set him free.” 

Maybe that's what happens for artist Corry Lunn ~ she simply releases the wonderful character and personality from the clay she works with. 

While we may not know what goes on in the inner workings of Corry's mind, what we do know is that we released this wonderful Raven yesterday...it's going to live with a really nice family in Qualicum.

If this is true,  

(and it most certainly is)

  then a visit to the Market will make you ecstatic!

Ah winter...

...the time of year we feel the need to cocoon. It's also the perfect time to release your "inner Foodie" and create some comfort food, and we can help you do it west coast style!

Salt / Pepper grinders made from west coast tree branches. 

Flavour-infused sea salts,hand-harvested from the Salish Sea. 

Sea Salt Cookbook filled with glorious tummy-warming food. 

Mmmmmmm...

Art comes in many forms.

Comedy is definitely one of them!

Whether you are living on the soggy "wet coast" or slogging through east coast snow, we figured you could use a little January pick-me-up!

Charlie Todd is the creator of "Improv Everywhere" - bizarre, hilarious, and joyful public scenes he calls "The Shared Experience of Insanity." In this scene, all 3,000 people were listening to the same song on headphones while they danced silently in a park with balloons. Can you imagine how funny that would look if you were walking by?

To see more of these wonderful 'prank missions', like his annual no-pants subway ride, follow this link to watch his TEDx talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/charlie_todd_the_shared_experience_of_absurdity.html

We hope this makes you smile, and maybe even laugh out loud today!

 

Okay...

...so the weather on the west coast isn't even in the same ballpark as the weather the folks back east are having to navigate - but it's still a cold, grey January day. 

Warm yourself up from the inside out with a cuppa Daksha's Chai Spice! This a 300 year old recipe from Daksha's own family...and it's a little bit of warm heaven on this cold, wet day!

How Do You Want 2014 To Unfold?

“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning.” ~ Gloria Steinem
 





 

These wonderful journals created by photographer Patricia McAdie are the perfect way to capture your dreams and imaginings for 2014!