July 30, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Echino II"

It is very fitting that my final Castlegar Sculpture Walk feature is about the sculpture I have seen the

most. Everyday as I broadcast from the GOAT studios I had the prime viewing space to see Sculpture Walk viewer’s reactions to “Echino II”. Surprisingly, they all had the same one, to reach out and touch it!

"Echino II" is actually the sculpture that The GOAT and Juice FM sponsored for the Castlegar Sculpture Walk (that is one of the reasons I saved it for the end of my blog series).

“Echino II” stands out on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk and was created by Calgary’s Greg Jones. I think Jones did a fabulous job creating this sea urchin with a very mechanical twist. For more on “Echino II” and Greg Jones click here.

To view my previous sculpture, the second to last blog in my series on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk “Friends & Neighbours” click here.

July 25, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Saturday's Distractions”

TGIF!

Today’s sculpture of the day is a primer for tomorrow. Hopefully you will be as interested in whatever your Saturday holds as this young lady is in her book! “Saturday’s Distractions “is a beautiful bronze sculpture that comes to Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk from South Dakota!

Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby continue an important theme with “Saturday’s Distractions”, the small things that we forget about as we age. When I was this girl’s age I would go to thrift stores and pick up a book and sit down and read the entire thing on a Saturday afternoon. Now I am lucky to read a chapter of a book. That is the way life goes, eh? “Saturday’s Distractions” is a great physical reminder to pick up your skateboard, ride your bike or escape in a book this weekend (or do it all at once like this lass)!

For more on Leuning & Treeby’s “Saturday’s Distractions” click here.

To check out my previous blog on Sculpture Walk’s “Day-By-Day” follow this link. 

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 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. 

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 25, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Sea Swimmer”

Today for my sculpture of the day I ventured down Columbia Avenue looking for a little inspiration. Today was one of those days where I wanted to jump in my car and gun it for Mexico, never to be seen or heard from again. Yes, today I was looking for a little extra freedom with heavy workload and I found it in “Sea Swimmer”.

To be completely honest with you “Sea Swimmer” does remind me of Disney and Pixar’s character crush from Finding Nemo, that is totally a compliment to artist Heather Wall because everyone knows the painstaking lengths the teams at Disney go to when making movies to mirror the animals they are portraying.

Oh the freedom of being a turtle set to swim the seas. To be honest with you I hate swimming and I consider what turtles do in the water much more graceful than actual swimming. To me (because I am horrible at it) swimming involves frantic movements that are so unlike turtles, turtles are so smooth and graceful in comparison to how I envision the average person swimming.

Heather Wall is another BC artist (from Powell River) represented on the Castlegar. Sculpture Walk. For more on Heather Wall click here.

“Sea Swimmer” is a green sea turtle created from steel, the detail on this piece is incredible. This green sea turtle seems so happy to be floating free from the world care. Not only is the turtle, focus of this piece, incredibly detailed the starfish and the fish that adorn this sculpture also are impeccably crafted from steel.

I am so impressed with “Sea Swimmer”, so much so that it is definitely in contention for my vote for the People’s Choice Award! By the way, "Sea Swimmer" is sculpture number sixteen in my blog series, that means I am halfway through Castlegar Sculpture Walk 2014!

Have you read my previous blog on “Dreamer”? If not you can check it out by clicking 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 18, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Counting Blessings”

Today’s sculpture is another work from a talented BC artist. Today we are close to home with Sherlin Hendrick’s “Counting Blessings”. I have been a little out of sorts lately and I have heard word on the streets that this is a weird time for a lot of people with things feeling out of control. It is times like these when everyone is a little wacky that we need to find a little inner peace like this figure and count our blessings.

I honestly cannot believe the number of people who have told me, “if its meant to be it will be” or something along those lines in the last couple of weeks. Seriously, it is weirding me out. People I have never met have begun talking to me everywhere, from the grocery store to the gym and all have used a phrase about fate and destiny in some way.  I know how strange it sounds but it is really true. Today’s sculpture was meant to be, I was walking and challenged myself to write about the first sculpture I could find and boom “Counting Blessings” found me on Columbia Avenue.

“Counting Blessings” is incredible, the attention to detail. There is not much more I can say about this impressive piece that you cannot take from it yourself. Like most sculptures these photos do not do it justice, you really need to see the intricacy and finesse of “Counting Blessings” yourself. It will strangely make you feel Zen; I know it was a very calming distraction from my crazy life today and made me happy I ended my workout early to find a sculpture to escape in for a few moments.

Mother Natures is the sponsor of this impressive piece of West Kootenay Art. Sherlin Hendrick is originally from the United States and now calls Nelson home. For more on “Counting Blessings” and Sherlin Hendrick click here. 

For a look at my previous blog on Castlegar Sculpture Walk’s “Mobius” 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.

June 8, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day "Northern Leopard Frog"

After a very busy Sunfest weekend I thought I would throw on a sculpture for todays feature that I see every single day when I go to the gym. “Northern Leopard Frog” is an impressive sculpture that scales the wall of Peak Physique on Columbia Avenue in Castlegar.

Kevin Kratz & James Karthein are the masterminds behind “Northern Leopard Frog” and another one of their works was named Peoples Choice Award Winner in 2012 and is permanently displayed in Castlegar as a result. You may have seen it, it is called “Patient Hunter” and it is a large blue heron on standing on a pier. It has become iconic in Castlegar and is used often in our towns marketing photos. 

Much like the heron the “Northern Leopard Frog” is a large sculpture, it nearly takes up the entire wall outside Peak Physique. The detail is incredible on this metal work sculpture, as you can see in comparison with the actual northern leopard frog pictured here.

I am very excited that this my fourth sculpture feature blog is another incredible piece from British Columbia. “Northern Leopard Frog” was crafted in Krestova! 

Thank you to Dr. James Singer and his family for sponsoring "Northern Leopard Frog" and being part of the beautification of Downtown Castlegar!  

For more about Kevin Kratz & James Karthein's "Northern Leopard Frog" click here. 

For my previous blog about Castlegar Sculpture Walk's “Eye of the Wind” click here.