illustration

Coastal Wolf - Colouring Page

in ,

I spend a lot of time in the forest these days. It’s pretty funny how I spent a big chunk of my life on sea level (literally) by living aboard a sailboat, but now I am soooo drawn to the mountains and trees. Don’t get me wrong… I still LOVE the ocean, but the calling for some elevation has been happening for a while, and now its just so much more accessible and doable being down here on the South Island (and year round). Maybe it was the feeling of such small space living that I just have such a desire to MOVE, spread my arms wide, get the blood pumping, and the air through my lungs and there is nothing quite like the vastness of a view from a little bit of altitude. Living aboard can seem like such a romantic idea, but no one tells you that the biggest downside is you can have the tendency to feel like a ‘veal’ (although I am purely assuming as I have never asked one)… 3 steps to the bathroom, 3 steps to the kitchen… it can get pretty challenging if you are the kind of person who doesn’t sit still well. I have been so much more active this past year and so much happier to be out in the open spaces.

I am not sure whether it was Covid lock downs or personal life switchbacks, but I have also been thinking more about bucket lists, and why we tend to wait for them. What is the point of making grand do to lists of amazing experiences if by the time we get around to it, we lack the fitness or motivation to want to do them?? Now is what matters. Why wait for longer days? Why wait for more money… more time… for something to be over… for kids to grow up… for retirement? I am kinda done with that… although I haven’t been one to think that way anyway as I am self employed (seriously…who actually retires as an artist… don’t you just become one WHEN you retire?)!

One of my bigger dreams has been multi-day hut to hut hiking trips. I mean can you imagine backpacking around the Alps or Patagonia with a sketchbook in hand (and some bread and cheese… and okay wine at the end of the day) for a few days? Well my guy and I have just gone ahead and booked. We leave in August to fly to France and hike the Tour Du Mont Blanc, a 170km hike around Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland staying at little rifugios on the way. I am pretty much losing my mind about it and already wrapping my head around training (oh boo hoo… more hiking) as 15-20kms per day with some serious ups and downs is going to hurt like a dickens. I also admit I may be doing a little reconnaissance while there at the logistics of organizing hiking art retreat adventures. I already ‘work’ with one of my passions… but could it be feasible to incorporate more??? Travel, hiking, art… omg I would be in heaven being able to share that with other active, adventure driven, creative types! Talk about a dream come true! 😍 We’ll see how this one goes, but oh the possibilities!

Mt Work in a random March snow fall…

In the meantime… here’s another colouring page for your inbox to keep those creative juices flowing. Feel free to show me what you do with it! After so many years of creating them, I don’t often go past the ‘upload to my page’ phase. I should really colour them too one of these days.

/ / /

For those who are new to my site, each month I offer free west coast inspired colouring pages that are published and distributed in Tofino Time Magazine. They are also available for download as a high resolution PDF here (scroll down to the button below). If you would like them to come straight to your inbox when I occasionally send out a newsletter, please sign up for my mailing list (yeah, that annoying pop up). Personally I hate getting a bunch of spamming emails, so I promise to keep it to a maximum of once a month (more like once every 4 haha)! Please feel free to download them for personal use. If you are a restaurant, school or business that wants to print them for your clients, customers (or to keep their kids happy) or students then I am totally fine with that too. All I ask is you leave my contact info at the bottom of the page please. Enjoy!

Happy New Year

in ,

What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet.” - Anne Frank

Here we go again… the man made calendar has come around and many folks are rearing to crack into a fresh day planner with visions, goals, and resolutions for what we want to see in a new year. 2021 was a great year for me so I am not in a hurry to drastically change anything I am currently doing as it feels as if I am on the right path. Sure… I do plan to focus a little more on personal projects this year, lots more hiking adventures, oodles of time outdoors, packing even more kms on my bike, and of course much more quality time with family and friends. I am also getting a clearer picture of where I want to see my art biz go, and how to get there now that I am feeling pretty solidly settled here in Victoria. All in all, 2022 looks like its going to be pretty good and I am excited to see where it will go. I’ve already seen more inquiries for new client projects as folks are wanting to make sure things get done in time for spring with all the supply chain issues out there, so I definitely suggest connecting with me sooner rather than later if you’re looking to get some creative work done!

A huge thank you to everyone for your support this past year. It means a great deal to me, especially with such a crazy couple of years for everyone! May 2022 be full of awesomeness in your worlds!

/ / /

For those who are new to my site, each month I offer free west coast inspired colouring pages that are published and distributed in Tofino Time Magazine. They are also available for download as a high resolution PDF here (scroll down to the button below). If you would like them to come straight to your inbox when I occasionally send out a newsletter, please sign up for my mailing list (yeah, that annoying pop up). Personally I hate getting a bunch of spamming emails, so I promise to keep it to a maximum of once a month (more like once every 4 haha)! Please feel free to download them for personal use. If you are a restaurant, school or business that wants to print them for your clients, customers (or to keep their kids happy) or students then I am totally fine with that too. All I ask is you leave my contact info at the bottom of the page please.

Deep Blue - Colouring Page

in ,

It’s October! I forgot what it was like to live in a place with somewhat stereo typical seasons! To a visitor used to seeing the obvious leaf colour changes, it is harder to know the seasons are changing in Tofino unless you have spent time there as the trees remain green year round, and the temperature only fluctuates on average 15-20 degrees or so all year (I know a couple of people who wear sandals and shorts all year). The changes in season come in different ways. The season for the feeding bears and visiting whales, lifecycle of the salmon, the different birds on the beach, the levels of fog, the measurement of rain and strength of the wind, the weight of the dew, the location of sunrise and set, the size and quality of the swell, the line up at the coffee shop and the brewery, and the daylight… or diminishing daylight. October is on of my favourite months in both places. Wool sweaters, Turkey dinners, my daughters birthday, all the Halloween weirdos… its just a fun creative time. Now I get to explore Victoria area more, visit pumpkin patches, hike through fallen leaves, drink pumpkin spice everything, slurp soup and doodle some Inktobers! Perfect time now to get back on track and get some creative projects finished up.

On the note of hunkering down… Have you seen My Octopus Teacher on Netflix yet? Quite a touching and beautiful story/documentary. Definitely worth a watch. This months colouring page is all about those curious cephalopods… <3

///

For those who are new to my site, each month I offer free west coast inspired colouring pages that are published and distributed in Tofino Time Magazine. They are also available for download as a high resolution PDF here (scroll down to the button below). If you would like them to come straight to your inbox each month as I am planning to start doing sometime this year, please sign up for my mailing list (yeah, that annoying pop up). Personally I hate getting a bunch of spamming emails, so I promise to keep it to a maximum of once a month! Please feel free to download them for personal use. If you are a restaurant, school or business that wants to print them for your clients, customers (or to keep their kids happy) or students then I am totally fine with that too. All I ask is you leave my contact info at the bottom of the page please.

octopus_72dpiweb.jpg

ALONE TOGETHER - COLOURING PAGE

in , ,

Pretty crazy times these days. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken over the media and people minds all over the globe. It’s hard to clear your head when there is so much information… both accurate and inaccurate that is flooding the news and social media. Tofino is pretty much shut down… most of the shops and restaurants have voluntarily closed, and the District of Tofino along with Tourism Tofino and the Chamber of Commerce have asked visitors to stay home and not come (or go home if you are here). Fair enough… we only have one small grocery store, and a big enough population that solely relies on it so it is already stretched thin. No one knows how long it will last, and everyone reacts and deals in their own way, so it’s really important to practice kindness and compassion right now. Thanks to all the front line workers at all the essential services and businesses for hanging in there during this.

As a freelance illustrator, I work from home already so the concept of self isolation isn’t really a new thing for me, but we do live in a small space which certainly makes it tricky to buy lots of supplies to carry us through this. I also miss the spin bike at the gym already… but I bought a yoga mat, and the dog is getting regular walks. I’ve been getting regular text and messages from friends and family, and I am making sure to reach out to them too. Not everyone likes self-isolation so its important to check in with those people who are going nuts stuck at home. Rowan and I are working on staying creative, keeping well hydrated, eating and sleeping well to keep our immune system strong!

I am still finishing up some projects for clients. I am honestly not sure whether that will stop during this global crisis, or whether people and business owners who are forced to stay home and maybe work ON their businesses (creating work for me). Uncertain times, but I am just going to keep on trucking. If I don’t have client projects to do I will create more art and work on finishing up my playing card deck. I am sure the economy will be taking a hefty hit, but there is always plenty to do to keep me busy enough.

On a weirdly positive note, global pollution is way down. Apparently because of tourism and the traffic, Venice hasn't seen clear canal water in ages. Even Dolphins and fish have been appearing, and swans are enjoying the peace! Perhaps nature is taking an opportunity to reset. It will be interesting to see how we all come out of this.

In this meantime, here are some Pacific White Sided Dolphins to colour while you self-isolate. Let them remind you that we will all be swimming together soon enough (and not just in spirit)!

Oh, and wash your hands. xo

Greetings from my window… a few feet away from you all.

Greetings from my window… a few feet away from you all.

FREE COLOURING PAGE:

Each month I offer free west coast inspired colouring pages that are published and distributed in Tofino Time Magazine. They are also available for download here (scroll down to the button below), and on the Tourism Tofino website. If you would like them to come straight to your inbox each month as I am planning to start doing that for 2020, please sign up for my mailing list (yeah, that annoying pop up). Personally I hate getting a bunch of spamming emails, so I promise to keep it to a maximum of once a month! Please feel free to download them for personal use. If you are a restaurant, school or business that wants to print them for your clients, customers (or to keep their kids happy) or students then I am totally fine with that too. All I ask is you leave my contact info at the bottom of the page please.

dolphins_72dpiweb.jpg

Black and White - Colouring Page

in ,

Killer Whales, Orcas, or Kakawin (in Nuu-chah-nulth) are making headlines these days. The Southern Resident Killer Whales (comprised of J, K and L pods) that live in the waters off BC’s Gulf Island’s and Northern Washington are threatened. With their populations dwindling, efforts are being made to educate the public on how to help protect these beautiful creatures. Threats include toxins in the ocean, noise pollution and reduced Chinook salmon stocks (their preferred diet). In the spirit of #oceanoptimism, some ways you can help the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) : https://www.whaleresearch.com/orca-conservation. 

Here in Clayoquot Sound we often get visited by Bigg’s (Transient) Orcas. Unlike the larger family groups of Resident Whales (which show up on rare occasion), Bigg’s Orcas travel in smaller family groups and hunt marine mammals (seals, sea lions, porpoises etc.). Sometimes, we are lucky to get front row seats as they cruise by Tofino Harbour!

I decided to celebrate these beautiful marine mammals for February’s colouring page. Keep an eye out in next months Tofino Time magazine and on the Tourism Tofino website.

BC Ferries - Sea Forward Activity Book Project

in ,

BC Ferries contracted me to illustrate an activity book, a colouring mural, and a tent backdrop for their Sea Forward program.

SeaForward is a program that “brings BC Ferries’ existing environmental activities, conservation projects, community investments, and new sustainability endeavors together under a single umbrella. SeaForward’s goal is to effectively communicate BC Ferries’ efforts to reduce our environmental footprint, improve the sustainability of our operations, and support coastal communities.”

This book was given to children of all ages at all the major British Columbia ferry terminals. The goal of this book is to help educate kids about BC Ferries environmental protection efforts in a fun and ‘colourful’ way.

Decembers Colouring Page - Free Download

in ,

For those cold and crispy (in our case a little soggy) December days! You'll find this free holiday colouring page in Tofino Time Magazine December Issue. If you want the chance to win a print at the end of the month then go ahead and colour in the page, snap a photo and upload it to Instagram with the #tofinocolour hashtag. You can also download it, along with other months on my FREEBIES page! This image is also available as a colouring Christmas Card in my shop if you want to give it as a gift. Ho ho ho!