I was inspired by Emily Carr’s: New Perspectives on a Canadian Icon at the Glenbow. The exhibit was a smash, so much so, that I went twice. How wonderful to be surrounded by all her amazing works of art. I went back on my own, sometime before the show closed in January.

For the moment I am still assimilating the incredible sensory overload I experienced. It was like being transported to another world of turquoise, trees and totems and airiness of skies and light.

Let me tell you people, seeing works of art in a book is lovely. Having them at your fingertips for easy reference is great, but nothing compares to seeing the works in person. Something magical and sacred is involved in being surrounded by the energy, the forms, and the colours. I do believe something has reached me by osmosis. It knocked me out, like energy shifting, specifically in the solar plexus region.

I have her writings which I have not read, but I can assure you, my Emily Carr Omnibus, which includes most of her writings, has soared to the top of my reading list. It is incredible to think what that woman accomplished. Aside from the large body of work she produced, she was able to transcend many hardships. Being a woman, and blazing a trail like she did at that time is truly an inspiration to me.

All of that said, here are a couple of small offerings I have begun and nearly finished. I started the ‘Forest Path’ before the exhibit and worked on it afterwards. ‘Mountain Sunset’ was done the evening when I got home from the show. Both were painted from photographs taken by me. These are 8 X 8 on gallery wrap canvas.

“The spirit must be felt so intensely that it has power to call others in passing, for it must pass, not stop in the pictures.”
~Emily Carr