It’s hard to believe that summer is starting to wrap up already. The individual days have felt full but as a whole it’s flown by very fast! A few highlights for me have been instructing a drawing workshop at the Sidney aquarium, participating in the Paint-In and summer markets (including last weekend in Tofino and Ucluelet), ocean dips, kayak camping, community kids’ craft activities, adding a new whale species to my whale ‘sightings list’ (a minke!), working on drawings for my calendar and getting to volunteer again with Straitwatch.

It’s felt like I haven’t had too much time to process everything that has been happening as I have been moving focus from one project to the next. This is why that day helping Straitwatch stood out for me this summer. Not just because I was able to connect with the team and support this important work (and get to see whales) but because it was a day that absolutely BUCKETED rain! I don’t know about you, but summer rain is one of those special things that make me feel refreshed and recharged. Because of the weather, it ended up being a fairly quiet day on the water for vessels. Surrounded with fog and dripping with rain we kept a watchful eye on a distant pod of Bigg’s killer whales as they forged the coastline of Salt Spring Island. As boats passed we checked in with them, let them know about the orca and asked them maintain a safe distance/alter course so as not to interfere with them. We stayed back much further than needed so as to give the whales as much space as possible. Blanketed with fog, soaking with rain, the majesty of seeing their stark fins break the surface and the white puffs of breath reminded me of why I love to create art about these mysterious and wonderful creatures. It was also a good reminder to slow down and rest in nature. I thought you might want to see a few photos, so I will include some here for you (taken with a telephoto lens). I hope you enjoy them too.

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2026 POSTCARD CALENDAR

My most recent project has been working on a 2026 postcard calendar called ‘Whale Dreams’. I am almost ready to print, so I am taking pre-orders until Sept 15. If you would like to read more about it, please click here for images and info. If you would like to pre-order a calendar and pick it up locally in Victoria, please send me a message directly. If you want one mailed to you, please order through my online shop.

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Coming Up: Apple Day At Sea Cider

I will be participating again this year at the Apple Day event at Sea Cider in Saanichton. This family friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of fall: cozy up, wander the orchard, check out the local artisan booths and enjoy a class of cider. Sunday September 28 from 11-4.