April Lacheur is a BC artist living Maple Ridge . She works in a unique style using acrylic paint on wood and canvas to create bold interpretations of west coast nature. Some of her original works also incorporated metal ,a collaborative project she does with her husband Ren. Through her art, April explores the human connection with nature, largely trees and feels that we as humans are not unlike trees with deep twisting roots, stories to share and branches that reach in many directions. April aims to bring the beauty of the outside in.

April is a self-taught artist who has learned to paint simply by doing. She has been passionate about art since childhood and her desire to share her art is on going. She has been showing and selling her work across Canada for over 10 years and also has a successful line of reproductions. April is a retires Registered Nurse and is so grateful to be following her heart and her true passion of art . You can find out more about April and her work at

https://yapespaints.com

Canadian artist Di was born in Vancouver in 1984 and developed her unique
painting style after graduating from Simon Fraser University as an
Archaeological Illustrator. Restricted by technical details and colourless
inks in 2012 she broke free into the world of acrylic paint. Completely
self-taught her style evolved through the exploration of using bright solid
colors and flowing lines to reduce the endless detail of life into calming,
simplistic beauty. 

Di’s body of work includes illustration, digital art and acrylic paintings.
She has been shown in galleries on Bowen Island, Vancouver and in private
collections across North America. Recently she created two 360° murals for
the BC Children’s Hospital and was co-exhibitor in ‘The Art of
Conservation’; an exhibition to raise funds and awareness for wildlife
conservation in British Columbia. Di works from her home studio on Bowen
Island where she is often found exploring land and sea with her husband,
daughter and two dogs. Current works can be found at the Catching Stars
Gallery or online at www.artbydi.ca  


Artist Statement 

Beauty of nature is the key inspiration behind Di’s contemporary west coast
acrylic paintings. With a focus on light, color and movement Di seeks to
reduce the endless detail of life into simple form and palette, allowing
viewers’ imaginations to fill in details of time and place. The artist sees
herself as a filter; passing images repeatedly through the lens of her mind
as she translates the world around her. 

Not bound by any school or tradition she simply creates what pulls at her
heart until it is put down on canvas. Starting with a scene or composite
image she peels back layers of detail, emboldens color and smooths shapes
until she is ready to transfer onto canvas. By adding thin layers of a
single acrylic color she builds until the medium is opaque yet smooth-
showing the texture of the canvas below. Clean lines are achieved by a
steady hand and are one of the most consistent features of her compositions.


Much of Di’s focus is on the unique species that inhabit the coastlines of
British Columbia. Growing up on the west coast she has developed an intimate
connection with forest, mountains, sea and the animals that call it home.
She clearly conveys this reverence for nature in her paintings, highlighted
by her commitment to bringing attention to nature conservation. 
The artist lives and works on Bowen Island, Canada.

https://www.facebook.com/artbydi.ca/

http://artbydi.ca

Thomas Newman

I’m an actor/artist/filmmaker at heart & love all mediums of the creative process. I’ve always enjoyed the art of creating something by taking an idea, from concept to visualization, right through to creation. I love dreaming up something, then setting into motion a clear goal as to what needs to be done in order to bring it to fruition. There is no one medium of art that I restrict myself to. My creations are a combination of natural resources, as well as metal and other such materials. Since most of my materials are supplied by nature, no 2 of my creations are alike. I try to create pieces that are both unique and functional for any space. Most of the time, I find the materials first and then decide what to make with it. This keeps the flow of my pieces sporadic, just like nature itself.

In 2014, I relocated with my spouse Kelly Konno to Bowen Island in order to reconnect ourselves with nature. We immediately fell in love with Bowen’s incredible natural beauty and community. The views are just as spectacular as the people who live and work here. Bowen Island has some of the most unique and diverse creative minds I have ever had the pleasure of co-existing with. There are artists, musicians, poets, writers and just about any other kind of creative individual you can think of. The amount of creative energy and natural inspiration is unlike anywhere else I have ever lived.

Within 2 years of living on Bowen Island, Kelly and I decided to launch both our passion business ideas. Together we are able to create unique art & furniture from Bowen eARTh, as well as offer our community a means of staying healthy through our Bowen Dance cardio classes.

https://www.bowenearth.com/category/art/

https://www.facebook.com/Bowen-Earth-1618456961704262/

Burns Jennings Custom Art Furniture previously known as Cornice Furniture Works Ltd. was founded by Burns Jennings in 1999 and is located on tranquil Bowen Island, one hour from Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia. Jennings, a graduate from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts and Environmental Studies, uses his background to design and build art quality, environmentally responsible furniture, mill work and build-ins for home and office.

Jennings carefully considers form and function and uses distinctive materials to enhance all furniture styles.  This purposeful selection of materials, some locally harvested and milled, others recycled, found or reclaimed yield beautiful, functional and environmentally superior pieces of artisan furniture.  Moreover, by using both traditional and modern joinery techniques in addition to durable finishes completed projects will endure and be enjoyed for generations.

Burns will work collabortively with clients to design artistic furniture pieces to suit their unique aesthetic.  The quality of his craftsmanship, attention to detail, pride in workmanship, and passion for solid design will be evident upon delivery.

http://www.jenningscustomfurniture.com

carlosvm.ca

Carlos’ sculptural work is evocative, whimsical and created with evident delight. Whether almost human or dream-like strange, these characters and creatures inhabit narratives that are tantalizingly suggested by the artist.

His process begins with sketches on paper or macquettes in plasticine. He then moves on to sculpting in hard wax or clay ,and the creation of the various silicone molds required to replicate each part . Final pieces are cast in various grades of plaster or resins, and finally , carving ,painting or surface treatments. He enjoys the technical aspects of the process and is always refining his process.

His intrest in making objects includes forays into sword-making and the creation of theatrical props.

A graduate of Emily Carr , Carlos moved to Bowen Island with his wife Joanne Mogridge to open their chocolate cafe Coca West Chocolatier in 2002. Carlos also loves singing and, most recently acting. He has performed in several musicals including Camelot., The Fantastic, The Merry Widow and Anything Goes.

http://www.jenkinssculptor.com

Cathryn Jenkins is a widely known Canadian sculptor whose work has received many awards. Raised in the Selkirk mountains of British Columbia, she developed a love of the natural world, the local wildlife, and her surroundings at a young age.

As the daughter of prominent sculptor Fran Jenkins, Cathryn also spent many hours in her mother’s studio, and began working alongside her at the age of 14, building the skills and passion for sculpting in stone in those early years. Sculpting has been her lifelong vocation and passion ever since.

Years of dedication to her art form have allowed her to work large while still maintaining the essence, movement, agility and true proportions of her wildlife subjects - such as grizzlies and eagles, cougars, otters and owls.

Currently, she is a full-time sculptor living in Vancouver and Bowen Island, BC, Canada.

I would like to think that art is a reflection of spirit, a tangle of emotion , a spark from within , that eventually ignites into something far beyond the realm of reality ; it has the ability to inspire one to believe in the unbelievable . That being said, I have no words to describe the soul of my work. It will speak to everyone differently, and my hopes are to rekindle the magic held within us all. Growing up on the west coast of British Columbia has allowed me the privilege to slow down and take to time to explore the hidden wonders of our temperate rain forests , rugged mountains, and raw coastlines. I cannot deny this has made a great impression on me as a person, but also as an artist. Working as a prop maker on the Hobbit films in New Zealand for a year has furthered my skills in various mediums, which fuelled my interest in many forms of creation ; this led to some exciting personal commissions from Weta Workshop's creator Sir Richard Taylor .While in Belfast , Northern Ireland two years ago, I was very lucky to be contacted by the jewellers of Game of Thrones in regards to join their team , but instead took up a breif role as a Wildling and have yet had the ability to join them in the prop department - but what an exciting prospect it is !!!!!

Be it here or across the vast seas, I look forward to reflect on how I evolve , grow, and fully immerse myself into an ever changing world of wonder and curiosity .

You may contact me at chelseamainwaring@hotmail.com , and view more of my work at 

http://chelseamaindesign.com

http://www.earthlycreature.com

I began my journey with metal in 1986 making mixed media works of art. It has evolved into making lost wax sculpture and jewelry in cast silver, bronze and pewter. My sculptures are meant to inspire the love of the creatures we share the earth with . Earthly Creature Designs are created first in wax, cast in bronze, reproduced in silver pewter and copper plated pewter. Each piece is hand finished and with patina. 

https://www.facebook.com/earthlycreatures/

 Cindy May spent the first years as a professional photographer in London and Paris. Cindy represented the talent of various photographers and ran a successful studio. Her  ability to communicate with the top art directors at London’s ad agencies facilitated her own sudden launch  into the business behind a borrowed Hasselblad .

Cindy’s recognition grew as  she photographed rock stars, princesses, politicians and international celebrities .

Then coming home to North America sealed Cindy’s fate as one of Vancouver’s best black-and-white photographic talents. Cindy’s eclectic experience behind the lens  has sharpened her skill to attract work that has a soul purpose. Through her imaging of every day life and the need to record this sweet passage of time Cindy’s work has a signature that slants towards meaningful art .

Cindy still works with film and darkroom printing and developing she’s considered a master printer and does hand coloured tinting  as well.

 The Lowen  Foundation  hired Cindy for her sensitive depiction of healing and loss of a loved one. The greater Vancouver Regional  District  contracted Cindy to help boost their  humanistic and ecological image concerning controversial watershed and forestry issues. Commercial  entities in the fashion business,  food marketing and alternative medicine production have commissioned Cindy to interpret their goods and services with her particular sensitivity to subject matter. Cindy May also did large campaigns for Palm Pilot,  Royal Bank of Canada, Lonsdale Quay along with various editorial and advertising  for magazines. 

The diversity of Cindy May’s work speaks for itself yet is united by an inimitable  style that is hers alone.

Cindy May lives on Bowen Island and is represented at Catching Stars Gallery  where her portfolios may be viewed.

cindymay.com

Dan is a long time wood worker and beekeeper living in Surrey, BC.  I asked him how long he has been working with wood and his response was “All my life.  My first project was when I was 6 years old and I made a willow whistle with a pocket knife my father gave me.  I progressed from whistles to a degree in Wood Science and Technology from Berkeley and continued on with a career in the forest products industry developing new processes and products for Canadian woods.  My love has always trying to match the properties of wood to the requirements of the end products.  I have tried to carry this technical approach to my hobbies of building furniture and cabinets and finally to my wood turning.”

Dan prefers turning wood from locally grown trees.  Most of the wood he uses is green, i.e. not dry, from trees that have blown down, or had to be cut down due to safety or similar reasons. His favorite is big leaf maple. It has very tight grain, exceptional figure and colour and can be used for almost any type of turning.  He uses “green” wood for all of his bowls and platters and dry wood for lidded boxes and similar items where dimensional stability is essential. An exception to this is spalted or partially decayed wood which he uses whenever possible because of its unique patterns and colour. Turning green wood is more complicated than turning dry wood but allows for a greater variety of shapes and sizes. It is also more fun.  Spalted wood is the most difficult to turn due to variations in texture from solid to punky. A typical green piece takes from 1 to 3 years to complete. The tree is first cut into pieces or blocks The blocks are turned to rough dimension then stored to dry.  After the pieces have dried to about 12% moisture they turned to final size, sanded and finished.

He uses a variety of finishes depending on the desired look and end use.  For durability Dan prefers polymerizing resins.  For art pieces requiring a soft luster he prefers oils and waxes.  Oils or oil resin blends are usually used for items that will be used for cutting such as cutting boards and for contact with food. 

A challenge is to turn pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.  Dan tries to retain as much of the shape and figure of the original wood as possible.  This is why his work has a lot of live edge, bark and imperfections.  

When Dan is not in the shop turning, he is either in the forest trying to find another tree to turn or working with his bees.  He says that both turning and watching bees are excellent ways to relax.

David Graff began a successful gilded series of paintings in 2002 – applying many of the processes and techniques he had previously employed in large scale installations as part of his faux finishing work to the relatively smaller substrates of wood panels.

It was precisely at this time that David and Holly met, and GILT Studio Gallery (along with their enduring love affair) was launched.

David’s unique combination of gold, silver, and copper leaf, transparent color glazes and high sheen resin drew much attention and allowed him to quickly gain representation in numerous galleries in Canada and the U.S.

Taking her cue from these materials, Holly experimented to find a way to successfully use the metallic leaf on glass – a process that requires each piece to be worked in reverse – utilizing the organic way that gilt reacts with chemicals, heat and pigments.

For more than a decade now they have used the time-honored craft of gilding in a thoroughly modern context to produce paintings, a unique line of glass pieces, and a number of large-scale custom installations of singular depth and visual impact.  Their work can be found in private and corporate collections around the world and has been seen in movies, television shows and magazines.

http://giltgallery.com

Our jewellery collections feature unique designs, made with ancient Roman glass, artfully combining semi-precious stones, gold and silver. The collection is created by our 3 in-house designers and contains a wide variety of styles for all age groups.  We use only the finest elements, which are textured and brushed to perfection. As we create everything in-house, our hands ensure that high-quality products reach to our valued customers. The diversity in the designs and the reasonable prices on offer, allow each woman the opportunity to pick out a special piece of jewelry suited just for her.
 

Eleanor Rosenberg is an artist whose work celebrates everyday moments. Her illustrations have appeared in the Globe and Mail, marketing campaigns across the Northern Territories, as well as magazines, children’s books and galleries internationally. Her artwork has earned awards from Applied Arts Magazine and Design Edge Canada.

As a young artist, Eleanor’s love of painting was nurtured by Ted Harrison and Toni Onley at the Paradise Valley Summer School of Visual Art. A graduate of Emily Carr University, she also holds a Master’s Degree from Parsons School of Design in New York.

Eleanor lives on Bowen Island.

https://themadmarker.org/About-1

Emilie Kaplun Designs creates unique handcrafted jewellery on Bowen Island, British Columbia. Emilie specializes in wedding jewellery, which was inspired when her sister wanted a tiara for her wedding that was distinctive and reminiscent of our natural environment. From that time, Emilie has designed custom made tiaras and jewellery for numerous weddings and special events.

The jewellery is created with high quality materials such as Swarovski Crystals and Freshwater Pearls, in designs which are both unique and timeless. Over her twenty-five years as a professional jeweller, Emilie has created designs that have been showcased in galleries, stores and fashion shows. Her skills in jewellery design have evolved over the years and have become more complex in the styles and materials used.  

https://www.kaplundesigns.com

http://haroldalfred.com

Harold Jackson Alfred is from the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation and is a ‘Namgis artist from Alert Bay, B.C. currently living in Victoria, BC.

Harold has been creating artwork for more than fourty years and has had the privilege of working with and learning from such artists as Tony Hunt Sr, Beau Dick, Wayne Alfred, Doug Cranmer, Henry Hunt Sr, Oscar Matilpi and Bruce Alfred. Of great influence was the artwork of Willie Seaweed, Charlie James and Mungo Martin.

Harold is skilled in making fine quality jewellery in silver & gold; totem poles, stained glass, carvings, prints and metal arts and my passion is reflected in each artwork created.

Helen Windsor was born and raised in Coquitlam, B.C. and now resides in the quaint village of Brentwood Bay, B.C. Always interested in many forms of creative art, Helen kept her drawings to herself for most of her life. It was an outlet that was only shown to trusted family and friends. After an absence of creating art for over 10 years, due to life’s responsibilities, Helen caught the art bug and has not stopped since.

Self-taught by using her intuition, Helen’s art transformed dramatically over the last couple of years. Working with black archival ink, white gel ink, india ink, metallic pigment powder ink and gold/copper/silver leafing pens, Helen creates her art using geometric shapes, lines, patterns and symbols. All of Helen’s art is based on the sanctity of the soul and the story of each animal’s perspective. 

Healing Helen Spirit Art is home for custom and original art, Fine Art/Archival prints, art cards, home decor and fashion of animal spirits infused with positive energy. Helen believes strongly in the power of energy work as a Reiki practitioner, and it is her goal to offer healing art that incorporates the power of her hands and heart through her art and energy work respectively.

https://www.facebook.com/HealingHelen/

https://healinghelenshop.squarespace.com

Howe Sound Soap Works creates Natural Goat's Milk Soap Cubes & Infused Loofah's, Cold Processed Soap - Olive & Coconut Oil, Bath Bombs and Eco -Soy Candles.  All created with Essential Oils to stimulate the senses.  Some of our favorites include West Coast Rainforest, Rosemary Mint, Chai Tea & BC Maple.  

For large orders please contact Marie Neys (780-720-5268) 

Ingrid Hauss is an artist, teacher, poet and the founder of Art and Renewal. She tours widely with her art and interactive installations, combining art, movement and her prose as an integrative embodied practice fostering wellness and creative living. Ingrid teaches at schools, conferences, studios, universities and retreat centres in Canada, the USA and Europe.

Born and raised in the Black Forest region of Germany, she now resides on Bowen Island in British Columbia, where she listens to the quiet voice within to find guidance for painting and writing. Ingrid Hauss has been in the performing and visual arts all her life. Influenced by the artists of the Bauhaus Era and Marc Chagall, she lives with colour as her vibrant tool of expressive story-telling on canvas and in live. Ingrid experiences and shares her artistic practice as a living invitation for transformation and liberation of the creative spirit.  

Her bold, interdisciplinary choreographies of brush and spirit allow the body to flow, heal and realign in an experience of inward and outward renewal.  Her art has been shown in Switzerland, Germany, the United States and the Bowen Island Arts Council Gallery. It can be viewed on the Swiss platform of https://www.artiazza.com/artist/ingrid_hauss_1.  There she has been named Artist of the Month in December 2017 and can be viewed in her art practice sketching along the wild shores of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada on the following You-tube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-aDP6Ybj-I

Her most recent article integrating her art and prose was published in Presence: International Journal for Spiritual Direction, Issue December 2017. Her current interdisciplinary art installation will be unveiled at the Global Congress for Art Education 2019 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver this summer. She is currently in the process of completing her Masters in Art Education at the University of Victoria.  Ingrid is an artist-associate at Catching Stars Gallery, where selected art pieces by her are now available as part of the gallery collection. For more information on her work go to artiazza.com/artist/ingrid_hauss_1

or her Art & Renewal Website at Ingridhauss.com.

Janet Esseiva was born in Cape Town, South Africa, where she studied both art and computer programming. She pursued a career in programming, while continuing with her love of painting as a serious hobby. She moved to Canada with her young family in 1998 and now lives on Bowen Island, BC with her husband, Effron, and two daughters.

Janet’s art is sought by international clients and designers, and graces collections on six continents. She loves working with clients to create that perfect piece for their home or business.

Artist Statement

Being an artist means being intensely curious and analytical about your subject matter. I love how the first rays caress a dandelion in the morning. I’m fascinated by the diffused light play on layers of West Coast mist. I paint to immortalise those moments and perhaps capture a little of the essence of the wonderment that I experience.

I paint from my home studio on Bowen Island, and teach and demonstrate on Bowen, in Whistler and on the North Shore.

Find Janet Esseiva

@bigbrush_janet

Jason Wilde is from Napanee Ontario, and now lives onBowen Island in British Columbia.  Jason is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for nature has led him to capturing natures beauty in landscape photography in hopes that others will realize that our forests, waterways and land need to be protected.

Jason has been featured in Canadian Geographic, National Geographic,Backpacker and other local British Columbia media outlets and maps.  

https://www.jasonwildephotography.com

Brynn Tyler Designs. We are a mother daughter team of makers. Jennifer (momma bear) and Sam (beautiful daughter) have been making hand gilded wineglasses since 2014. We are having such a blast creating and working and building this little business together. It's been a wild ride with great leaps and bounds this year!! These glasses pass through our hands no less than 8x from start to finish! We do all the layers by hand, and use only the highest quality materials.  We start by etching the glass in the shape of our design, followed by a special glue.  Then we lay down very delicate 5x5 sheets of metal and finish off with 2 layers of epoxy topcoat.  They are a labour of love!
The question I get most often is "why Brynn Tyler Designs?"  Well... only my friends and family (and now all of you my new friends) know that my husband and I were pregnant and lost identical twin girls at 8 months pregnant in 1999. Their names were Brynn Catherine and Tyler Sydney.  They were our first, we celebrate them every year with balloons on Their birthday and angel ornaments on our Christmas tree. Hubs and I have been BLESSED with 2 amazing kids since. Kale Tyler and Samantha Brynn. So naming this company @brynntylerdesigns I hope to bring honour and love to all 4 of our amazing kids, although the name has NOTHING to do with wine, or drinking it. I just really love drinking it...so it seemed to make sense to combine my greatest loves.  Feel free to contact us anytime at brynntylerdesigns@shaw.ca or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/Brynn-Tyler-Designs-1785537051767323/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrynnTylerDesigns

Jilly has a passion for hiking in the West-Coast rainforests of Canada, and this love of the outdoors is reflected in her paintings.

Jilly has exhibited in many venues in Vancouver.  She currently sells her work through ‘32 Books & Gallery’ in North Vancouver.

One of Jilly’s paintings was chosen for the 2013 front cover of the Multifaith Calendar.  Jilly is one of the featured painters in the 2014 edition of Artists of British Columbia.  Jilly received an honourable mention prize in the L’Arche 2014 art fundraising show.  The same painting was featured in the 2016  Multifaith calendar for the month of September.  Jilly was also successful in having the painting “Choosing the Way “ selected for the 2018 calendar. This calendar sells approximately 20,000 copies throughout  North America each year.

Jilly is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.  Jilly is also the Past President  of the North Shore Artists Guild, and was for many years  chairperson of the North Shore Unitarian artists’ group.

Artist statement: You will very often see paths or trails in my work which are symbolic of the choices we make in life. My present path as an artist has brought me great joy. I have a passion for bright colours and like to create happy sunny paintings.  I have been strongly influenced by Emily Carr and Van Gogh who have inspired me to portray the movement and energy that surrounds us. For me forests are magical places but they are not static – they vibrate with energy and movement.  I try to portray that movement in my trees.” 

https://nsartists.ca/jillywatson

Julianna is an emerging artist, born in Winnipeg and raised on the prairies of Southern Manitoba. She completed her first BFA at the University of Manitoba in Art History with honours. In May 2017 she received her second BFA from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Visual Arts. Her works focus primarily in clay, but also extends her practice to a variety of materials. Many of her artworks reflect on our political ,social and cultural conflicts that affect our daily lives.  

Julianna currently works and resides in Vancouver. 

"My practice has always been inspired by my surroundings and I find myself propelled by my insatiable curiosity. I am drawn to ceramics as they are the basis for objects we handle everyday: from plates to mugs to bowls and more. These are vessels we need and use on a daily basis and I strongly believe we should be engaged and connected with them. Clay is a demanding and challenging material, yet offers seemingly unlimited possibilities. Ceramics embody a learned and inherited historical tradition which speaks to me as a maker". 

https://www.juliannazr.com

https://schoonerlanedesigns.com

Schooner Lane Designs was established by Kathy Clarke in 2014, on beautiful Bowen Island . 

"Inspired by the beauty of my surroundings, my love of wood, and all things handmade came 'Board out of my Mind'-Cheese+Chopping+Serving boards."

These boards are unique and rustic- each one freehand cut from a single piece of Canadian hardwood (Black Walnut, Cherry, or Maple ) chosen for its beauty and unique characteristics. They are sanded by hand and finished with a locally made beeswax and mineral oil compound, thus becoming a beautiful piece of functional art, to be enjoyed for many years to come . 

WHEN YOU BUY A BOARD - YOU PLANT A TREE 

Schooner Lane Designs is a proud subscriber to Tree Era, a Canadian company dedicated to planting trees in fire ravaged forests . 

Katie Mainwaring is an artist who loves to find the magic in everything. Her work is largely reflective of her beautiful west coast surroundings, but also by the world of fantasy 
hidden beyond. 

Katie’s subject matter and medium varies from landscapes to line drawings but there is always a sense of mystery or 
something to spark the imagination. Katie strives to create that connection of curiosity within the viewer and make you feel something you’ve not felt before.                                          

Recently, Katie’s passion for maps has inspired her to make a map of her home of Bowen Island in Howe Sound. Katie wanted it to be geologically accurate but at the same time exciting to look at, as if you were looking at a treasure map.  Mermaids, sea monsters and sunken treasure can be found scattered amongst the many other details, only some of which are real.  It’s up to the viewer to find out which ones!

Vancouver based designer Larissa Stefani started her business, making belts at her dining room table. Stefani's fiercely unique style had always set her apart from the crowd before she even started her business. She had spent ten years working in the fashion business, before leaving it to start a family. After a devastating diagnosis of Lyme disease, Stefani felt she needed a distraction. She had long been obsessed with leather and felt there was a hole in the market for edgy-luxe handbags; bored with belt making, she started on handbags, and Lloyd and Wolf was born. 

Says Stefani "my aesthetic is for clean streamlined design with edgy details. I prefer to let the leather be the focal point of any style, and am not interested in too many complicated details like pockets and zippers and fringe all over the place. My bags always serve a purpose for being, they are as functional and versatile as possible, yet streamlined, edgy but never fussy, and most definitely fierce." For Stefani, the idea of the ‘it bag’ is the polar opposite of what she strives for with the Lloyd and Wolf brand. “ I can’t stand standing next to someone who is wearing the same thing as I am, I really prefer to do my own thing, and so with my bags. I wanted to create exclusivity, and promote individuality, and by limiting my runs I think I’ve achieved that. “

Lloyd and Wolf is the juxtaposition between luxury and edge.  Integral to the brand is the concept of not mass producing bags, keeping them precious.  Stefani creates unique limited runs, and each bag is numbered like a limited edition piece of art. As well, Stefani uses only the most luxurious of leathers, the finest quality hardware, and only employs artisans, whose workmanship is excellent. 

Lloyd and Wolf's bags have been seen on the arms of starlets and fashion editors, from Paris to New York, and have graced the pages of Fashion, Flare, In Style Magazine, BC Living Magazine, The Vancouver Sun, and the Province Newspaper.  Described as Canada’s answer to Rebecca Minkoff by Fashion Magazine, her signature Abi bag was a top five finalist in the 2013 Independent Handbag Designer Awards in New York, and the only Canadian contender. In September of 2015, Larissa was also one of the finalists in Western Living Magazine’s Designers of the Year Awards in the Fashion Category.

https://www.facebook.com/lloydandwolfcouture/

https://www.lloydandwolf.com

Growing up in Scotland, Lorna was surrounded by fabric, buttons and colourful knitting yarn in her granny’s drapery shop. It was no surprise that this influenced her creative path to The Glasgow School of Art in 1982, where she graduated with both Honours and postgraduate degrees in Embroidered and Woven Textiles. From then until leaving the UK in 2002, she moved to Canterbury in Kent and carved out her career running her small business designing and making silk, machine-stitched, soft furnishings.

Arriving in beautiful Vancouver in 2012, Lorna and family became permanent residents of Canada and she is now getting her teeth stuck into stitching again and finding her place in the world of North American designer makers.  The colours and the climate of BC have inspired her to replace the lustrous silks she used in the 90’s with warm, wool meltons as a base to collage onto. Nature, landscape, architecture and the many faces and cultures she experienced on her travels continue to be a great source of inspiration, and sometimes  with a nod to her roots and those heathery hills of the Highlands of Scotland.  Lorna fuses traditional stitching techniques such as appliqué and 'mola' work with her own style of fabric manipulation to create her signature stitched and collaged surfaces on pillows, bags and blankets using wool, linen, cotton, silk and velvet.  Her work is for anyone seeking something different and who wants to add an artistic conversation piece to their living space or, with her bags, own a piece of 'wearable art'.

http://lornamoffat.com

https://www.facebook.com/lornamoffatdesign/

https://louisedrescher.com

Louise was born in Toronto and received a Masters of Art from the University of Toronto in Medieval Art and Literature.

She started painting in London, England and had two exhibitions there before moving to Chicago, Illinois where she continued to paint and exhibit.

Louise moved to Rossland BC in 1994 and has been an active member in Community Arts.  In 2005 she started the Firehall Gallery co-operative in Rossland which later became the Rouge Gallery.

Louise currently paints in her studio and exhibits her work in regional galleries and shows.

Born & raised in Denmark, the land of ‘hygge’ Malene is a self proclaimed candle snob. In her quest for the perfect, long lasting, & clean burning flame, she found Ecosoya. A natural wax that burns 30-50% longer than parafine and is people, pet & eco friendly. 

Made of vintage, unique, and/or hand crafted crystal, glass, ceramic, porcelain, or metal glassware, Malenes candles are one of a kind, and up-cycling at it’s finest.

Malene and her family have been part of the Bowen Island Community since 2009. She is the creator & owner of Conscious Cosmetics, where she has expanded her offerings to include the “Love & Light” EcoSoya Candle Collection since 2015.

Hygge: “The Danish ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures. It’s enjoying the good things in life with good people… the warm amber glow of candlelight, a cup of tea, the company of a book or loved one.”

conscious-cosmetics.com

http://www.marcbaur.com/#home

You might say I was born into the arts. My father, Albert Baur, was a successful artist, who studied with Frederick Varley of the Group of Seven and taught at the Ontario College of Art. Lynn Baur, my mother, is an award winning sculptor and one time noted fashion designer, who spent many years in television, heading up the costume departments of the Canadian Broadcast Corporation in Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

Perhaps it's not surprising that I have split my creative efforts between the performing and visual arts. For thirty years I worked within the film industry as an accomplished actor, writer, producer, award winning coach and artistic director of a prominent college for the performing arts.

As a visual artist, I studied graphic design at the Vancouver School of Arts, which transitioned into Emily Carr College of Art. After which I opened in partnership, Duo Graphic Design and then my own art shop Baurhaus Graphics. Over the next few years, I worked my way up to Art Director at WMS Publishing and developed a presence within the newspaper industry.

In 2010 I became utterly devoted to my fine art, and explored the technique of Chigiri-e, the ancient art form of creating with paper. When I moved to Bowen Island in 2011, a rare jewel in the Salish Sea, I was inspired by the natural beauty of British Columbia's rain coast. Now a resident of Salt Spring Island, I strive to share through my work, the great love I have for the Canadian west coast.

“Art has always been part of my life!”

Marie Neys has always challenged herself to study. Many of the art styles she has mastered include acrylics, ink & rouge, pen & ink, pastels, watercolour, sculpture, pottery and calligraphy.

She has spent time creating original art in both the Decorative and Fine Art fields.

In 2006 Marie Neys earned the Canadian Standards of Excellence in Decorative Art. She is proud to be acknowledged as the only person in Canada, that year, to be awarded this title.

Marie credits Gene Prokop & Ann Waeland at Pro’s Art Atelier, with

elevating her painting style to include both Representational and Alla Prima methods.  Her current medium Oil on Canvas, showcases bold, accurate color,  & immediacy with impasto palette knife & brush strokes.

Marie divides her time between the rolling hills, vast plains and big sky country of Southern Alberta and the

towering trees, cool breezes and unending ocean of West Coast British Columbia.

Both Inspire her!

When On Bowen Island, you will find Marie walking the Cape Sea Walk,  down on the Beaches of Tunstall Bay and meandering the many trails that are inland amongst the towering cedars, hemlock and Douglas fir.  Her Palette of  Pthalo Blue, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Sap Green, etc meld to create the art rich in hue and texture.

Her Current West Coast Series includes “Towards Tunstall Bay, Up Adams Road, To Lot 1, Collingwood Lane, To the Beach and more”  This is an ongoing series, comprised of over 15 paintings.

To view more of Marie’s work please browse

http://www.marieneys.com & her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/marieneysfineart/

When you meet Marie you will realize there are 2 forces that drive her artistic side. The creation of art and the business of selling art. You may find yourself getting caught up in that passion.

Many have said they learn something about themselves as either an artist or collector after meeting her.

Marie is thrilled that her work will be showcased at a new gallery  – Catching Stars Gallery, Bowen Island, BC – opening in the Fall of 2017.  Should you wish to contact her about art, instruction, or framing of your own art pieces, or for further information, please do so.

She appreciates your consideration of her art.

Pat West sculptor. 

-born in vancouver bc in 1962

-raised in Prince George, BC

- studied physics and fine art at UBC ( BSc 1984)

-played basketball at UBC 1980-1985

- studied architecture at Univ of Manitoba 1986-1988

-traveled extensively throughout India, Asia, Europe,  North and central America 

-lived and worked in vancouver 1995-2017

-now lives on Bowen island with two young children since fall of 2017

Prior representation:

-Bronze Gallery, Vancouver (early 1990s)

-Gulf of Georgia Galleries, Steveston (1990s)

-Jenkins Showler Gallery, White Rock BC (late 1990s- early 2000s)

-White Dog Gallery, Whistler bc (approx 2010)

Artist statement:

I began sculpting stone in 1988 while sitting on a beach in Penticton bc.

A friend had given me a piece of soapstone from northern Canada and it was soft enough to carve with a knife. I was immediately drawn to the medium and have been sculpting soapstone and other soft stones ever since. Others materials include alabaster,  chlorite , periphalite , brazilian soapstone and cedar.

   I use only hand tools, a mallot,  chisels and rasps to form the shapes , and sandpaper and oils to finish the pieces. The general shape can be formed in a few hours and then finished in a few days.

The making of each piece is a form of meditation for me, where the process is of ultimate importance and the finished sculpture is the end product of that meditation.

  The majority of my works are abstract studies in geometry that hint at movement. Animal forms, human forms and shapes from nature are present in the sculptures. Soapstone is an excellent material because it is a relatively quick to carve and finishes beautifully,  though it is susceptible to scratching.

   I hope that you enjoy these pieces.

Typically I am a multi-medium artist - but at this point I am totally consumed with mosaic assemblage ! I love the challenge of combining unwanted, found objects in my work . Whether it be old jewellery, glass/dish scraps, or just some nick knack I picked up at a garage sale- Magic always happens when these discarded items come together. They find their voice, and they find new life. 

https://www.facebook.com/PauuletHohnArtist/?ref=bookmarks

All of my wood turnings are carefully handcrafted using recycled wood products.  I believe in  using the gifts that mother nature has provided us, without causing damage to our fragile Eco system. Wood turnings are
finished using a food safe oil finish. 
This provides a nice glossy finish and provides you with the option of actually using your handcrafted items, or just having them on display.

My grandfather and my father both worked all of their lives in the ceramics industry of Stoke-on-Trent , England where I was born. My father worked as a modeller and mould maker at various factories including Portmeirion- before teaching mould making and also starting his own company- Brunswick Ceramic Services- in 1974. I entered the family business at age 16 and began modelling shapes and in particular- embossment designs for all kinds of clients, from large hotel and tableware factories to small design firms, artists and potters. My most notable work was modelling a reproduction 18th Century clock for Her Majesty the Queen, which incorporated Classical figures and was presented to her in 1999. Though these projects were interesting given the precise craftsmanship involved, I always wanted more opportunities to pursue my own projects.

I took 3 years out from the family business for my fine arts degree and after 15 years working in the ceramic industry in Stoke I moved to Canada with my wife for adventure and to expand my personal artistic freedom.

Over the past 14 years working in my studio in Vancouver (and now Bowen Island also) I have worked consistently - designing , modelling and making my own work as well as offering a service to the “clay community”. I have very much come to appreciate the skills that I have learned from my father and the new found freedom that Canada has given me to explore my own personal art.

http://russellhackneyceramics.com/artist-gallery/

Robert Neys lives in Calgary, Alberta, but has always considered himself at home anywhere in Western Canada. With an academic background in biological sciences, he has reverent regard for every aspect of nature, including a passion for gardening and hiking, and as such, finds woodworking a fitting medium of expression. Robert firmly believes that even the simplest functional items can enhance a person's life and living space.

"The versatility of wood as a medium is endless; I am constantly surprised with what the material can do. As wood itself is natural, the intention is not to improve upon it, but rather, to simply reveal the nuances in the grain that were already present. I believe that the grain, texture, flexibility, figure and colour of wood species do not need to be altered through the use of dyeing stains, epoxy, or other techniques that would render the wood as something that it would not grow to be. Rather, each piece is selected for aesthetic and functional factors, where finishes are clear and the species are chosen based on the application and environment of the intended item."

Robert first became interested in glass in the 60’s arts & crafts movement and was introduced to stained glass by artist friend Moira Burnett in 1969. For the next 20 years Robert’s field of endeavour was working with flat glass; building, restoring and repairing leaded stained glass windows. In 1987, Robert began a five-year apprenticeship with the Grandfather of Glass in Canada – Robert Held. Parkes designed and collaborated with Held for 22 years before building his own studio. Robert had the privilege of working with, and learning from, other skilled glass-blowers while working at Robert Held’s Kitsilano studio.
Robert and Jeanette have been married since 1989, have four daughters, and have lived on their five-acre property in Port Kells since 1996.

https://www.facebook.com/LoafingShedGlass/

http://www.loafingshedglass.ca

The Salt Spring Tea Company was born on Salt Spring Island, in the wild and scenic beauty of Western Canada. It was the dream of three women, an artist, a student, and a local artisan, to capture the unspoiled nature of British Columbia in their products.

The Salt Spring Tea Company remains committed to their vision: we use only the freshest of ingredients and insist on all natural products. All of the dried herbs and spices used in our teas are of the finest quality, and are purchased at the peak of freshness. The fruit blend teas contain real dehydrated fruit: Berries are dehydrated on company premises.

Our teas have absolutely no added flavorings, and we continue to blend in small batches to give as even a distribution of herbs, fruits and spices as possible. Salt Spring Teas are all loose, not in tea bags, for the ultimate taste sensation.

Our Herbal Teas are available in individually hand-painted bags making each one a unique gift. Kraft corrugated pouches hold a smaller quantity of tea, perfect for sampling and small gifts. All labeling is designed and produced exclusively for The Salt Spring Tea Company making our packaging very unique to the marketplace.

http://www.sstea.com/about.html

Michael Forbes is a 35 year old Haida artist who descends from the Stanley family of Masset on the Haidagwaii Islands . He started his company Silver Lining Designs in 2010 . He expresses his art through Sand blasted glassware .

https://silverliningdesignsstudio.webs.com

Born and raised in British Columbia, Shane Tweten currently resides on Bowen Island,. He owns and operates a small tree and landscape business as well as making a name in the art world.

Working as an arborist has led him to a passion for woodcarving, self taught at carving with a chainsaw and then working with First Nations wood carvers. Shane is an emerging artist that continues to carve with passion and exploration, and feels that carving is a way to pay homage or tribute to cultures, heritage, environment and art itself.

 He applies his knowledge to his style and has most recently introduced elements of his own Irish, Scottish and Norwegian decent and feel the Celtic mythology and legends hold such a vast, almost unexplored possibilities when applied to wood carving. Shane believes that there are no boundaries in woodcarving art; that the forms and faces are already present in the wood just waiting to be found.

http://www.standstallcreations.ca

Born in Brazil in 1988, Thiago “Thi” Ramirez developed since early life interest for visual arts. After a short business career, he decided to follow his heart towards what makes him happy, photography .

He attended to both Film and Photography school in Canada.

“I believe that through the depth of a picture , its colour, light, texture, emotions can be triggered within ourselves and can change our lives for the better.”

His work is almost entirely dedicated to landscape and travel photography with occasional adventures in macro and wildlife photography.

www.thiramirez.com

https://www.facebook.com/Thi-Ramirez-Photography-317925228548340/

I am a B.C. grown artist who was formally trained in Electronic Communication Design at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design. I’ve been an independent artist for over 18 years with a variety of works to my name.  All my work has embodied an attention to detail in form and function.  My works are recognized for their bright and whimsical qualities. Currently, I’m working with polymer clays in a technique called ‘millefiori’.  ‘Millefiori’ or ‘A Thousand Flowers’ is a traditional Venetian glass art that involves the formation of a cane-like sculpture with fused glass rods that has a pattern throughout.  The modern version of this is created by laying different coloured polymer clays together.  Then the cane is sliced to reveal the design within.  To me, millefiori is a combination of painting and sculpting. This technique has allowed me to create unique limited edition designs of jewellery.  More recently, I have created a line of home decor which features items such as wine stoppers, glassware, and teapots covered with millefiori slices.  My latest body of work, especially my teapots have moved beyond the framework of form and function into the distinct realm of collectible art pieces.

https://wandashumdesign.com