Archives for posts with tag: Chinatown Victoria BC

Today marks the first day of the new Chinese lunar year – for 2015, it is the Year of The Wooden Sheep. Our neighbourhood, Canada’s oldest Chinatown, is very busy at this time of year! This coming Sunday, from noon until 4, the festivities include a Lion dance, dragon performances, kung fu and tai chi demonstrations, traditional dancing, and Chinese tea ceremonies.

2015 Year of the Sheep (© Firehorse Designs 2015)

2015 Year of the Sheep (© Firehorse Designs 2015)

The Gates of Harmonious Interest, Chinatown, Victoria BC.

The Gates of Harmonious Interest, Chinatown, Victoria BC.

The 500 block of Fisgard Street, Victoria BC, decorated with new lanterns for the New Year.

The 500 block of Fisgard Street, Victoria BC, decorated with new lanterns for the New Year.

We received some beautiful tulips last week, so thought I’d photograph them with some of our treasures.

dkn_StillLifeSunlight

Just waiting for the masses to descend 😉 – so thought I’d write a post. We’re holding these little gatherings once a month now; they are super fun. Here are a few picks:

Miss Bunny Drummond awaits the pleasure of company.

Miss Bunny Drummond awaits the pleasure of company.

Butter tarts, mincemeat tarts and lemon sugar cookies; I haven't quite let go of the festive season!

Butter tarts, mincemeat tarts and lemon sugar cookies; I haven’t quite let go of the festive season!

Some of my Firehorse Designs jewellery.

Some of my Firehorse Designs jewellery.

Some of GJ's work, Teds and Objets.

Some of GJ’s work, Teds and Objets.

OpenStudioJanuary2015

Caught a beautiful sky in my neighbourhood the other day, as the daylight was fading away. We are finally starting to have some real autumn days after a very prolonged and delightful summer. My favourite time of year!

500 block Fisgard Street, Victoria BC Canada.

500 block Fisgard Street, Victoria BC Canada.

500 block Fisgard Street, Victoria BC Canada.

500 block Fisgard Street, Victoria BC Canada.

A beautiful summer day today. Spent a bit of time sitting on the beach on Dallas Drive looking out across the straight at the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. Wishing all our American friends and followers a Happy Independence Day!

The Olympic Peninsula viewed from Victoria BC.

The Olympic Peninsula viewed from Victoria BC.

Colourful paragliders on Dallas Drive, Victoria BC.

Colourful paragliders on Dallas Drive, Victoria BC.

Little bird bathing in one of the fountains in Centennial Square near Chinatown, Victoria BC.

Little bird bathing in one of the fountains in Centennial Square near Chinatown, Victoria BC.

Saw this gorgeous cloud system this afternoon in our neighbourhood. Just thought it made a nice picture!

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Yesterday our neighbourhood of Chinatown hosted the Lion Dance celebration as part of Chinese New Year. Colourful lions, martial arts displays,  drumming and fire crackers welcomed in the new year. It was a lively afternoon!

Participants and spectators taking part on the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Participants and spectators taking part in the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Shops and homes along the lion dance route hang lettuce and red packets with money enclosed. Accompanied by drummers, the lion visits each doorway and accepts the packet and lettuce. Firecrackers scare away evil spirits and leave be behind good luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

Shops and homes along the lion dance route hang lettuce and red packets with money enclosed. Accompanied by drummers, the lion visits each doorway and accepts the packet and lettuce. Firecrackers scare away evil spirits and leave be behind good luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

Eight lions seen photographed through old wavy glass.

Eight lions seen photographed through old wavy glass.

My favourite lion. The artistry is magical.

My favourite lion. The artistry is magical.

So many beautiful colours and costumes.

So many beautiful colours and costumes.

A colourful dragon waiting to come to life.

A colourful dragon waiting to come to life.

Dales Gallery ready with it's offering for the Lion.

Dales Gallery ready with it’s offering for the Lion.

HappyNewYearCard

First snow of the season! Very pretty out there.

The Chinese Public School with snowy evergreens.

The Chinese Public School with snowy evergreens.

Entering into Centennial Square from Fisgard Street.

Entering into Centennial Square from Fisgard Street.

Snow and seagull in Centennial Square.

Snow and seagull in Centennial Square.

The Gates of Harmonious Interest at the Government Street end of the 500 block of Fisgard Street.

The Gates of Harmonious Interest at the Government Street end of the 500 block of Fisgard Street.

Last week GJ and I set up our new show at Dales Gallery, a block from our studio in Chinatown. The show is mostly of GJ’s kinetic sculptures spanning the last few years of work. He also has some of his sigils and paintings and we made some prints and postcards as well. I had a couple abstract watercolours from 2008 and painted five new ones as well. We also included a few copies of a hand-bound book I made of GJ’s Spirits of the Mechanical Age sculpture series from a few years ago. We had a great day at the opening on Saturday. Lots of visitors seemed delighted in our work, especially in the magical nature of the kinetic pieces. Here are a few pics. Will post more pics of specific pieces and links to new videos throughout the next week.

One of two versions of the invitation I designed for the show.

One of two versions of the invitation I designed for the show.

Personal Worship Device by GJ Pearson.

Personal Worship Device by GJ Pearson.

Three newish graphite pieces by GJ Pearson

Three newish graphite pieces by GJ Pearson

GJ's Sigils and graphite and watercolour paintings along with a new kinetic piece Tiny Flying Ship.

GJ’s sigils and graphite and watercolour paintings along with a new kinetic piece Tiny Flying Ship.

My seven Ocean Garden watercolour paintings.

My seven Ocean Garden watercolour paintings.

We hung samples of the prints we had made along the back wall.

We hung samples of the prints we had made along the back wall.