Lilies, Nests, Floating Homes and Longboarders (with bananas)

I visited Granville Island this week and was literally stopped in my tracks when I came upon a painting by artist Janie Lockwood.

I saw Connecting and quickly motioned my sister to gaze upon its loveliness as well. The online pic of this painting does not do it justice, of course. The detail and texture are subtle, and must be seen “live” to be fully appreciated. As Janie articulates in her artist statement:

My focus has been to emphasize on the beauty of nature. I do this by abstracting my composition somewhat, zooming in on the subject or painting it slightly out of context. In doing this I hope to entice the viewer to feel involved with the piece.

Both my sister and I were thoroughly enticed. Visit her online gallery to discover whether her aesthetic resonate with yours, as well. But if you can, visit The Federation of Canadian Artists Summer Gallery to meet the work “in person.”

Tranquility ~ by Janie Lockwood

At the Peter Kiss Gallery, I laughed out loud viewing the artistic antics of Peter Kiss. His human figure sculptures display a wry humour that offers insights into human nature~with a twist.

I was most taken, however, with the Nest series of works, where Kiss collaborated with Tania Gleave (whom, he informed me, worked out so well as a collaborator that he married her). The combination of painting and wood sculpture was visually exciting to me, and each painted nest had an energy and depth that was an absolute focal point.

Tania’s art is quite alluring on its own:

My work combines an interest in the challenges of the human experience with deep satisfaction that comes from exploring new combinations of materials and techniques in making art.  The constant challenge is getting my observations/message across in a visually successful composition.  That challenge is the opiate.

Sheltered ~ by Peter Kiss and Tania Gleave

After visiting the galleries, we made our way to a floating house village. This “block” of homes was charming to behold, with its potted gardens and roof top patios, and the Vancouver skyline behind it. Apparently,

[w]hat you see from the dock is intentionally less interesting than what a passing boater would see from the water. There is minimal glazing on the public south side, the only clear window being a narrow sidelight at the front entrance, offering a mere hint of the jewel-box interior. (see an example here)

An interesting array of floating home designs is offered by Chernoff Thompson Architects, if you are interested in this way of living. You might also wish to peruse FloatingHomes.com. For boaters and canoeists who wish to extend their aquatic adventures, there are floating B & Bs, or cottages that boast “fully furnished suites, each with queen-sized beds and full ensuite facilities. Each suite is situated to enhance your stay with outstanding views of the river.”

Another highlight of the day was observing a large group of longboarders stream down the bike path that follows Vancouver’s Seawall. Their grace and athleticism was a joy to behold. I can’t imagine, unfortunately, being so comfortable and balanced on a small, fast-moving projectile. Many sported bananas, which lent a comic touch, despite the fact that I realized it was a perfect food to consume while ” on board.”

All in all, my Vancouver visit completely satiated my senses. Family, food, and fun ~ enjoyed within a beautiful city ~ are a winning combination.

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