Merry 2017 Christmas to all

Steveston Museum/Post Office

There is something to be said for shifting one's perspective once in a while - to see something familiar in a different light.

A simple practice of elevating your point of view could change your mood and awaken a new sense of wonder.

Take our familiar landmarks in the heart of Steveston. You must have walked past the post office/museum buildings without so much as a glance - knowing in your mind's eye its exact shade of cheerful yellow. Further down the block, it's easy to circle around the expansive Gulf of Georgia complex without noticing the jolly maritime jingle spilling out of its front doors. And who hasn't walked along Moncton lost in thoughts and blind to the cheerful neighbourhood shops that have added their individual stamps on the Steveston experience.

So this year, I decided to draw these familiar scenes from a whole different perspective - from above. The way Santa and his trusty reindeer would see them this time of year.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Neighbourhood shops

I hope these seasonal illustrations capture the spirit of joy and peace that descend on our village as gently as the first winter snowfall. They are available as art cards at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Sharing my favourite things

We all have favourite things. Like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, they make our feet dance, our heart sing, and our spirit fill with wonder. For me, ballet has always ranked very high on my list of favourites (along with cats, architectural line drawings, and all things Hawaiian).

And from all indications, I am not alone...

Ballet has been a source of beauty and inspiration since the fifteenth century. Ballet's enduring form - which has remained true through the passage of time - attests to its power to spark and capture the popular imagination.

Though my personal brush with this art form was limited to a few adult classes, I was forever changed by its exacting demands and breathtaking perfection.

Decades later, I found great joy in expressing this love for ballet through digital illustrations. My goal is to delight devotees whether they are students, professional dancers, or just someone who has been lucky enough to study it briefly.

Currently, these illustrations are available as digital downloads from an online shop. As my catalog grows, I hope to expand my offerings - in digital or physical form - to further delight you.

For now, feel free explore the shop and return often to watch it grow. I can't promise bright copper kettles or warm woolen mittens in your life, but I can continually create new products to make it just a little more joyful.