July 02, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Jelly”

Today’s featured sculpture on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk is one that is definitely in contention for my People’s Choice Award. Photos really do not do “Jelly” justice. “Jelly” stands tall on Columbia Ave and catches your eye every time you pass by Kootenay Market, heading furtherer into the Downtown Castlegar.

“Jelly” is another amazing sculpture from an artist from the Kootenays. Nelson’s Nathan Smith is behind this colorful free floating beauty. For more on Nathan Smith and his previous entries and work with Castlegar Sculpture Walk click here. The beautiful jelly shell is complimented by the metalwork tentacles that extend from the gelatinous head.

I am a big fan of “Jelly”. Honestly, it has captured my attention since it was installed. It is a beautiful (gigantic) representation of one of nature’s most mystifying creatures.

If you enjoy looking at jellyfish (but not really coming close enough to touch them) I recommend checking out the Vancouver Aquarium; I was blown away by the captivating jellyfish there. I could stand around and watch them all day!

To take a look at my previous blog about Castlegar Sculpture Walk’s “Tri-Tonal” click here. 

June 23, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Groundling”

Today’s Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the day is The Goddess of Columbia Avenue, “Groundling”.

It is hard not to stop and take note of this incredible sculpture that sits on the corner of Columbia across the street from the Element. Being a full bronze sculpture, “Groundling” really does have that immortal feeling like a true goddess.

“Groundling” is another work from an artist-based right here in the Kooteanys. Merlyn Richelhoff is a graduate of Selkirk College’s Kootenay Studio Arts Metal Casting Program and you can learn more about him by clicking here.

Viewing “Groundling” today was well worth my minor seasonal allergy attack. I love that you can see the dark skies rolling into Castlegar in my photos. They were taken in succession within seconds but one side of “Groundling” looks like the beautiful Kootenay day we started out with and the other angle shows the dark clouds rolling in with rain.  I think the pictures really do show “Groundling” as the master of nature and community.

If you have not taken in Sculpture Walk you still have plenty of time. The weather has been incredible over the weekend; I have seen so many people with their voting cards on the streets enjoying the first half of Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk. If you have not taken part, do it now!

For my previous blog on “Rebirth” by another impressive British Columbian Artist, David Hunwick click here.

June 9, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day "Song of the Flying Dutchman"

Todays Castlegar Sculpture Walk sculpture of the day is about another one of the sculptures that really stood out to me from the first time I saw it at the Gala. The sculpture I am featuring in my blog looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale; it is “Song of the Flying Dutchman” from Kyle Fokken from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Another international artist helping line Castlegar’s streets with art!

“Song of the Flying Dutchman” is one of my favourite sculptures this year because it is whimsical and even a little magical. It reminds me of Peter Pan. The caption on the Sculpture Walk plaque sums up this incredible sculpture better than I ever can.

Thank you to RHC Insurance, Oglow Paints & Wallcoverings for sponsoring this piece. I think it provides a special magical feel to Sculpture Walk. There are so many sculptures that are inspired by nature, politics and life in general; “Song of the Flying Dutchman” takes us away from our ordinary world and life to a special place.

“Song of the Flying Dutchman” is in contention for my “People’s Choice Award” ballot.  I would love to have this sculpture in my backyard, part of a secret garden or another special place.

For my previous blog on “Northern Leopard Frog” click here.

February 14, 2014 -- Happy National Donor, Ferris Wheel, National Cream-Filled Chocolates and (of course) Valentine's Day!

Like I said during my show, February 14th is not just Valentine's Day it is also National Donor Day, National Ferris Wheel Day and National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day. Something in that very short list of things is bound to make you happy so celebrate! :)

With that being said, I am a fan of Valentine’s on a purely commercial level.

Yes, I like presents. I like flowers. But, I love food. Especially when it is still expectable to be mid-winter bulking for warmth.  I do totally believe that people should celebrate their love everyday, but I am more on board with giving and getting gifts whenever possible.  Yes, I am a sucker for pink and red around this time of year (I'm normally more of a blue, green, yellow type of girl).

Now, this was my first Valentine’s Day on-air (outside of school), so I wasn't sure what kind of reaction my show would garner. I was worried about being too heaving on the V-Day talk and one break I had written had be really worried. I had changed it a few times to try not to exhibit a bias stance, that women are the only ones who should be getting gifts on February 14^th. This is not the case, this year my boyfriend were a on a budget for the big day and saving up for our vacation next week. We made an agreement, nothing elaborate in the gift department and we could get whatever we wanted from the grocery store and have it for supper.

On top of our massive meal, fondue came into the equation. Cheese fondue.  I agreed to provide him with a copy of the long-awaited South Park: Stick of Truth video game as his gift and he agree to order the parts for my broken iPhone and repair it. A pretty good trade, am I right?

Observations from February, 14 2014:

-Who knew cheese fondue spells like cheese? I sure didn’t. Not the most romantic smell at our plastic card table.

My beautiful flowers even have a tiny teddy! (Arrested
Development joke)

-Truly feel your Valentine’s Day flowers are safe on your drive home you need another person to hold them and hate you. I realized this as I packed my car for the journey home, I felt like I was driving with a newborn baby in the car.

-When you're sitting at your desk later than expected on Valentine’s Day you really start to wish your boo would have sent something like a heart shaped pizza or pretzel… or maybe even a cookie. Being fueled by boxed chocolates does not a headache-free V-Day make.

-Netflix knocked it out of the park with the release of Season 2 of House of Cards on the ‘day of the heart’ and they made it all worth it in the season opener. Well played Netflix, you will forever be a part of myValentine’s Day history. And, I am so okay with it.

-My parents are super awesome for giving their lovely children gifts for Valentine’s Day. I have learned that not many parents do this. I think my parent’s may have just given us gifts for putting up with their anniversary shenanigans (and annual mid-February anniversary party), our stuff always ended up being used during their parties. What was worse about it was being forced to watch the parties (they recorded them on video) and seeing things like your uncle wearing your princess bicycle helmet and slurring his words. I could write a whole blog on that on its own so we can leave to your imagination, its WAY funnier than you can imagine. Yes, the slate was always wiped clean with lovely gifts.

-People love talking about Valentine’s Day, I received more calls than ever during a show and social media totally was overwhelmed by V-Day talk. Love it or hate it, it seems to me like people love to vent their excitement or hostility for Valentine’s Day.

I don't think there is anything wrong for liking getting presents; I fully appreciate the commercialization of Valentine’s Day. To me though the best part of the day is the food. We have always had legendary Valentine’s Day suppers and this year was no exception!  (we left our phones off all night so I didn't take food pics)

-      - A cheese fondue platter to get it all rolling.

-       -Olive oil roasted cauliflower.

-     -  Garlic butter and pepper pan-fried steak ( we do not have a bbq)

It was awesome. We skipped on dessert for vacation’s sake.

I hope you had a just as happy Valentine’s Day (and got lots of presents)!