Spring in Strange Times

photo by JS, Saturna Island 

Even in these unsettled times of the Covid-19  pandemic, signs of spring and art continue on Saturna Island. The requirements of isolation and social distancing seem a bit less harsh here on this island that has always had plenty of room for individuals and different lifestyles. Though the health-related concerns and effects on work, social exchange, travel, and morale affect us all, taking things a day at a time and valuing this day is one approach to a difficult situation.

As a painter, walking to my studio each day and working on art projects continues to be my routine adventure. No one to come see them now, but the work itself is engaging. And I guess the truth that a painter just needs to paint carries its own momentum. Public exhibits in Vancouver, where I often have paintings in a show, have been cancelled. Of course the internet continues as display and interaction substitute venue. But I get rather tired of it and its overload.

So, let me post this affirming picture of spring coming to bloom on Saturna. This wild currant bush greets me on my walk to the studio each morning, as does the buzzing of surrounding bees. I'm reminded there's something to accomplish and that spring happens, whether you choose to notice it or not.

Stay well and good wishes,
Janet  Strayer

Art and Ice Cream? Current Exhibition at ArtSaturna Gallery

Where else could you mix viewing a selection of  works from local artists and artisans with the pleasure of eating hand-scooped ice-cream? Come see for yourself!

 The current show at the Art Saturna Gallery opened on Father's Day and runs through July 24. It features the interpretive landscape paintings of local artist, Janet Strayer. She invites you to visit her website to see recent works (click here).

As always, each ArtSaturna event  diplays a fine collection of work from local artists, including paintings, prints, fabric art, photography weaving, and woodwork.

visitors to ArtSaturna on Father's Day opening, June 21, 2015

Shows are  held in the ArtSaturna gallery at the Saturna Point Store right near the ferry dock --  which means that an added pleasure for all who enter is the terrific ice cream on sale, too!

These shows change regularly, introducing new featured artists and new artworks from ArtSaturna. Come enjoy this one. And we'll keep you posted on the next one coming for July 26.

Enjoy the summer!

Another Kind of Art Festival

Those who come to Art Saturna shows know how special they are. The art is enhanced by its setting, our unique Saturna Island in the Georgia Straight.  Some of our Art Saturna artist participants, like me, live both at Saturna Island and the mainland -- Vancouver, in my case. Straddling the straight like this makes for quite a commute... but it's been my life for quite some time.

As Art Saturna is quietly heralding the winter season with a lovely show at our gallery by the ferry landing, another much louder art show starts in Vancouver. The Eastside Culture Crawl is a popular yearly event involving hundreds of artists and thousands (yes) of visitors. It's on from tonight, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 23.

That's my personal invitation. There's so much to see during the Crawl: original works by painters, sculptors, fabric artists, jewelers, furniture makers and other artisans.  It's  an exciting festival. I'm looking forward to it. And afterward I'll be looking forward to returning to peaceful, inspiring Saturna Island and the special quality of life and of art it supports.

Janet Strayer: Eastside (Vancouver) Culture Crawl Report

photo of Janet Strayer by JK

Thanks to all who came to visit at this year's lively and festive Eastside Culture Crawl in Vancouver. Three days of art, art, art!

Very different from the pace and setting I love at Saturna, but also a welcome experience each year. This is my third year as an artist participant.

Our studio at 1000  Parker Street (#202) contains five painters and has become a lovely showplace. Three other  studio-mates and painters participated in this year's Crawl: Meredith Aitken, Debbie Bakos, and Katerine Gordon.

This year, over 400 artists were part of the Crawl in Vancouver. We and the community meet, greet, and enjoy the too-muchness of it all! An interview I gave to a camera man covering the event for City TV was the last coherent event I recall. The rest, except for some striking conversations and people, is a bit of a blur right now. But I'm still standing in his photo, propped against a studio wall showing my newest paintings.

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Inter-Island Culture Shock: It's a Good Thing

View from inside boat

Galiano  and Saturna are two small islands in the Salish Sea. They are part of a beautiful archipelago called the Gulf Islands (in Canada) and the San Juans (in the US).  Sitting nicely across from Vancouver, BC, regularly scheduled daily ferries take you to these wonder spots. Day trips from island to island, though, are not so easy -- unless you have a hardy boat: some of the water passages are tricky. 

around Galiano dock

I live on Saturna and I'm a painter, as you may know from earlier posts. Each island here is different from the others. But I guess they all share something of an "island culture". One way I glimpse this culture-shift in myself  (I spend half the week on-island and half in Vancouver) is as easy as looking in the mirror. I look different once my feet hit island ground. My face broadens, my eyes deepen, my feet tread differently. 

Janet Strayer & Jack Campbell

Not surprisingly, these islands call to creative artists of all sorts. They're magical in nature, filled with sea and sky and trees and creatures, with breathing room for inspiration, and isolated enough to let one listen to, and do, what creatively is called for.

Although each island has a "culture", planned inter-island cultural events aren't common.  So I want to celebrate one on Galiano that features several Saturna painters and fabric artists.

Insight Gallery entryway

With the help of a small grant, a group of us were picked up by boat at the Saturna dock on a gorgeous day and sped off royally to Galiano (half hour away). Similar arrangements had been made to transport a group of visitors from other nearby islands.  

Saturna artists were escorted from the dock via a cute little bus that took  us to the Insight Gallery, built for showing art in this lovely setting and run by Tish Saunders. We were made so welcome, with food and wine and great company.

It was amazing to see how beautifully the show of paintings and fabric art had been displayed. The setting was just right. And the poetry reading  added another art form to the visual. You can follow more about this show, running all September, on the ArtSaturna website.

The opening party was yesterday, and what a treat it was. People flocked in all afternoon. They were interested and interesting, including a large contingent of fellow artists of all persuasions. 

It was terrific to hear all the laudatory comments and insights. I think all the participating artists shared my enthusiasm. Why curb it?  I want personally to thank several people, all new to me, in whose glowing remarks I still bask. How generous of you.

Lest you think only the big city artists do it, several island-dwelling artists I met told me their works sell out yearly on island! So, maybe "making it" as an artist doesn't  have to go the big city route. I'm no expert on this, but I know there are many out there who may be. What do you think?

Today's Thought

How can you not have an adventure when you live on an island?

-- Janet