July 29, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Friends & Neighbours ”

I think scrap metal is the perfect material to create a piece of art called “Friends & Neighbours” with, why?

Well, let me explain. I come from a small community in the middle of nowhere in Nova Scotia. Brooklyn Road is a community itself. Not quite Middleton or Lawrencetown or even Mt.Hanley, Brooklyn Road is a long road made up of rolling hills that takes about an hour to walk to get to town. Like scraps of metal in a pile of junk, you never know what you are going to find when you meet my neighbours. The individuals in our little community are unique and diverse but when you mix us all together you have something great.

Diversity, complexity and unique pieces coming together to fit in harmony is the basis of our Canadian “cultural mosaic” and communities made up of friends and neighbours across our country. Slocan Valley artist Rabi’a captures this perfectly with “Friends & Neighbours” another great piece of Kootenay art on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk this year!

I’ll be honest (and a little biased), I think “Friends & Neighbours” would be a great fit as part of Castlegar’s permanent display of sculptures. It is one of the larger pieces on the Walk this year and is impossible to capture in a single photo. For more on “Friends & Neighbours”click here.

To view my previous blog on Sculpture Walk’s “Joy Of Dance II” click here. 

July 23, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Talking Crowes”

I have been reading a lot of Game of Thrones lately so today’s sculpture takes on little bit of a different meaning for me, when I hear the word “crow” I immediately am transported to the Wall these days.

With that being said I’m guessing “Talking Crows” was not created by Nelson’s Denis Kleine with Game of Thrones in mind. Regardless he has captured the essence of two crows beautifully having a chat on a tree and its branches. Crafted in bronze atop a beautiful stone base “Talking Crowes” captures one of nature’s conversation that we normally tune out. With one bird listening and the other speaking we can easily relate to the humanity exhibited in this piece.

I am so impressed that there is yet another Kootenay artist featured on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk! Denis Kleine is based out of Nelson and has actually won the Peoples’ Choice Award for Sculpture Walk in the past! For more about his big win and his art click here.

To visit my previous blog about “Talking Crows” neighbor sculpture “The Kiss” click here. 

July 18, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Sova”

Daniel Kloc's "Sova" perfectly captures the wisdom and mystical nature of the owl. "Sova" is one of the smallest sculptures on Castlegar's Sculpture Walk but should not be underestimated because of its size.


"Sova" is incredibly detailed, with every feather perfectly defined.

I learned a little Czech from the Castlegar Sculpture Walk website, "sova" is the Czech word for female owl. To learn more about "Sova" (the sculpture) and Kootenay artist Daniel Kloc click here.

To see "Whisperer" the very large sculpture featured in my blog before "Sova", click here.

Small but mighty, I had to include a close-up on this incredible sculpture by another talented artist from the Kootenays.

July 01, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Tri-Tonal”

“Tri-Tonal” is one of the most noticeable sculptures on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk and on Columbia

Avenue. It stands tall outside Castlegar’s RCMP Detachment by the bus stop and Peak Physique. This small area is home to many sculptures but “Tri-Tonal” stands out because of its incredible size.

“Tri-Tonal” exhibits the magic of the number three and pretty much speaks for itself.  Ootischenia artist Michael Misuraca is another great Kootenay sculptor on the Castlegar Sculpture Walk.  For more on Michael Misuraca click here.

To see my previous blog on “Next Generation” click here.

June 19, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Playful Souls”

I am wild about this sculpture! It has been a horsey week for me, my mother’s horse foaled last week so I have been a little homesick. Spring is the best time to live on a farm with baby animals popping up left, right and centre!

Today’s sculpture is another small work that is incredibly detailed. “Playful Souls” sits on the corner outside Mountain High Lighting (one of the sculpture’s sponsors) across the street from another piece I have featured in my blog series “Eye of the Wind”.

Another neat thing about “Playful Souls” is that the artist behind this beautiful metalwork sculpture is from the West Kootenays. I have somehow managed to pick two sculptures from Nelson back-to-back in my blog posts! I try to devote a fair amount of time and praise to each sculpture but I do feel a little unfair love and pride for West Kootenay artists featured on the Castlegar Sculpture Walk; like Simone Schlichting!

Not only is Schlichting an impressive sculptress, she also crafts impressive jewelry at her business Valhalla Studios.  For more on her incredible equine inspired jewelry you can click here.

Slowly but surely we are getting through Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk 2014! I am still torn on what sculpture will get my vote for the “Peoples Choice Award”. After a very horsey, homesick week I can totally see it going to “Playful Souls”.

Today I was inspired by the “Playful Souls” and the message behind it; I went to Nelson and had a tame night on the town (it is a Thursday) and played rather than hunkering in for a night of show prep and a routine weeknight. Why? Well, because like animals sometimes we need to get out and play.

Fair warning, this was another sculpture impossible to capture in all of its glory in one photo. Please visit it and check it out for yourself! 

For more on “Playful Souls” click here.

For my previous blog on Castlegar Sculpture Walk’s “Counting Blessings” click here.