December ushered in a fresh dose of stormy weather, following November’s sharp, clear snapping cold (unusual for balmy Vancouver).
Weather shifts make dramatic skies, intense sea-lighting effects below the ever dramatic coast and mountain/skyscraper backdrop.
VANCOUVER MARITIME MUSEUM ART INVITE!
WE’LL TRY SALT MIST SEASONS PAINTING TECHNIQUES AT THE MUSEUM’S TK GALLERY:
http://vancouvermaritimemuseum.com/salt-mist-seasons
This exhibition invites visitors to embark on a self-guided south-to-north coastal sea voyage: highlighting ships, salty glimpses into local histories, and hidden anchorages.
MV Salt Mist (ex-Kagome), centerpiece of this exhibit, was among the swiftest of night vessels plying straits southbound with her cargos of contraband liquor. Explore BC’s coast from the southern Gulf Islands to Discovery Passage and North.
Marine artwork in this exhibit captures the imagined moods of coastal history, inspired by early mariners, shipbuilders and those who love the music of the waves.
Capilano River cuts a deep pathway to the Pacific, foaming en route through millenial Douglas fir, western red cedar and hemlock forests. Rewards for the hiker in ancient wilderness remnants surrounded by north shore cities and suburbs!
Fairy Wilderness in spring, hiding under soft green of old man’s beard.
On Stanley Park’s Seawall there’s more than meets the eye, from Eagle’s flights announced loudly from high in the Doug Firs, to tiny shells hidden under middens of wave action pounding at low tide. From art inspired by beaches, to bike and walking lanes sporting new red paint separations. Where have you found treasures along this coast shoreline? For more fun info about the Kitsilano Beach side of the seawall visit the seawallchronicles video at http://insidevancouver.strutta.com/entries/10263
If you ever catch a glimpse of stark white (heads or tails) on a dark black heavy feathered body, while looking up through the fir branches along the Stanley Park west side seawall, you might also listen for the Bald Eagle’s yodel cry “ee-eeee-ee-eee”. If you’re luckier still you may see baldies swooping low to swipe a fish on the wing. Next post: heron sightings!
Shell Studies in water color and pencil, or pastels and crayons, match up well with shell searches at low tide after the storms.
Stanley Park in winter after wind and wave sweeping high tides last month, when part of the seawall was uprooted, trees, rock wall and all.
Beautiful white snow covered mountaintop trees at Hollyburn Dec 31st across town from blue mountain frostings (above) seen from Vancouver, and then one of a series from blue-inspired leaf swirl painting/collages. 
