summer holiday epilogue...

These drawings by my 5 year-old son -- impressions of Vancouver Island, drawn using a twig and ink during one of my sketching sessions at Sunnyside Camp (I told him he could be my assistant) -- seem to convey a concise summary of our summer holiday experience... sky, ocean, mountains, trees... these are some impressive lines he has drawn, and once again I am inspired by the way children see and convey their experiences graphically.

a trip to BC: part 7

On the journey back home... waiting for the ferry in Nanaimo, and on the windy ferry deck with other passengers looking towards the Vancouver skyline.

a trip to BC: part 6

 Some panorama views, including two at Long Beach using some whittled twigs (surprisingly usable...)

Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC

Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC

from Ucluelet, BC

from Tofino, BC

Okanagan Lake, from Kelowna, BC

Sunnyside Camp 2015: part 5

Gatherings held in the barn-like, unadorned, rough-hewn wooden structure at Sunnyside Camp...

a trip to BC: part 5

Sketches from in and around Ucluelet, BC...

Sunnyside Camp 2015: part 4

A sketch of the crowd gathered by the shore of Sylvan Lake to witness ten baptisms. As always with baptisms, it was such an awesome experience witnessing these young men and women put their faith in action and show their committment (and openness to vulnerability) to Christ and His people.

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:4 (NIV)

a trip to BC: part 4

Three views of mountains, seen from Ucluelet, BC. They were drawn with the set of Tri-Tone pencils bought on a short pit stop in Kamloops... a surprising find as I had been unable to find these anywhere. Unlike other multi-coloured pencils, the coordinated range of colours within each pencil allows for a bit more control.

Sunnyside Camp 2015: part 3

Some photos from our afternoon sketching sessions at Sunnyside Camp, and some of my own doodles... from Day 1, which focused on line, and Day 2, which provided an opportunity to work with washes. I always enjoy guiding people through these sessions; it is such a privilege to share my own experiences with others!

a trip to BC: part 3

Seven views across the harbour from downtown Nanaimo (all the same view), while the rest of my family takes a nap in the hotel room.

Before embarking on this trip, I forgot to pack my bag of sketching supplies (including my beloved fountain pen), and I had to make do with some items I bought on a brief lunch stop in Kamloops. This forced me to work (a tiny bit) outside of my comfort zone throughout the holidays...

Sunnyside Camp 2015: part 2

Some notes/sketches from the ten sessions throughout the week at our yearly Bible camp. This year's speaker, a guest from Ontario (and coincidentally, a family acquaintance from close to 25 years ago), spoke on the beatitudes, taking us through a contemplative, encouraging, and revealing journey through each of the verses session by session, framing the familiar words around the notion that the beatitudes act as our guide towards becoming transformed into the likeness of Christ.

a trip to BC: part 2

 Some sketches from 2 days in Nanaimo, BC:

1. a view from the hotel in downtown Nanaimo;

2. during the short boat ride to Newcastle Island, where we hiked along the rocky shoreline, exploring tidal pools and disturbed lots of small crabs lurking beneath the stones;

3/4. two sketches of a great eatery, "2 Chefs Affair" (We ended up eating there 3 times, making a point to visit on the journey back... the best eggs Benedict and French toast we've ever had!);

5. a wonderful fish and chips lunch on the docks.

Sunnyside Camp 2015: part 1

Our summer vacation consisted of two parts: the first week, a drive to Vancouver Island; the second week, our annual participation at a family Bible camp closer to home.

Once again this year, I had the great privilege of running a 3 day (3 hour) series of sessions on outdoor sketching, and enjoyed the opportunity to engage with a variety of people through what I believe is a wonderful way to "meet with" God.

These sketches are from the first full day at the camp, during some free time, scouting out and "testing" subject matter found at the retreat centre grounds, in preparation for the sessions. The first of these I used as a poster to entice campers to sign up...

a trip to BC: part 1

Our summer vacation consisted of two parts: the first week, a drive to Vancouver Island; the second week, our annual participation at a family Bible camp closer to home. I've decided to post sketches from both weeks in tandem, one day after the other... today is part one of the first week, from the journey across the Georgia Strait to Nanaimo: the 1 hour wait to board the ferry with our vehicle at Horseshoe Bay, and some (impossible) sketches on the very windy deck on a beautiful, mid-summer afternoon. 

As I have mentioned elsewhere, although it took a good ten years, after living a few years in British Columbia I have come to love Alberta . But I must say the smell of the ocean breeze and the sight of rugged mountains reaching the coastline awakens something in my Japanese soul...