Archives for posts with tag: Victoria BC

Two new pieces of art have come into our lives, each created by dear, wonderful friends.

Deer Mask by Annie Nazarian.

Deer Mask by Annie Nazarian.

Feather by George Yearsley who carves out of the Carving Shed at the Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino BC.

Feather by George Yearsley who carves out of the Carving Shed at the Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino BC.

Some sights from Victoria mid winter.

Some early cherry blossoms  set off by the beautiful Union Club, downtown Victoria BC.

Some early cherry blossoms set off by the beautiful Union Club, downtown Victoria BC.

GJ's Teds displayed on the piano.

GJ’s Teds displayed on the piano.

Last year's summer hydrangea weathered and muted by the autumn and winter, but still spectacular.

Last year’s summer hydrangea weathered and muted by the autumn and winter, but still spectacular.

So many Pea Fowl. Not all the Cocks had their tail feathers fully grown, but they are still so beautiful.

So many Pea Fowl. Not all the Cocks had their tail feathers fully grown, but they are still so beautiful.

Spent an afternoon recently at Vanity Fair on Fort Street. Cases and cases of extraordinary items to peruse. Hours of fun!

Spent an afternoon recently at Vanity Fair on Fort Street. Cases and cases of extraordinary items to peruse. Hours of fun!

Our first crocus sighting of 2013.

Our first crocus sighting of 2013.

Many shades of grey, Ross Bay.

Many shades of grey, Ross Bay.

Very lovely boulevard display of snowdrops and cones in the neighbourhood of Rockland.

Very lovely boulevard display of snowdrops and cones in the neighbourhood of Rockland.

I love to watch GJ work. How he translates what he imagines into an exquisite object or painting is astounding and never fails to delight me. Here’s a pic of a work in progress.

GJPearson_WorkInProgress

We took a lovely walk the other day to a part of the city we rarely visit, even tho it was only about 40 minutes by foot. In the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood of Victoria is a wonderful Garry Oak grove called Summit Park. Next to it is the old Smith’s Hill Reservoir, shortly used in the early 1900s and fallen into disrepair. I find the rough and ragged beauty of the place astounding, and there are some beautiful views of the city to be had. Many years ago when I lived nearby, I remember how magnificent it was in the early spring when the crocus were in bloom: a tranquil sea of purples and white.

This north west view caught a glimpse of blue sky.

This north west view caught a glimpse of blue sky in the dark grey day.

A vast variety of greens.

A vast variety of greens.

South west view toward the Sooke Hills.

South west view toward the Sooke Hills.

If you can ignore the chain-link fence and barbed wire, you can find magical beauty here.

If you can ignore the chain-link fence and barbed wire, you can find magical beauty here.

Lots of birds take advantage of the old reservoir. In the summer, it's a great place to watch swallows.

Lots of birds take advantage of the old reservoir. In the summer, it’s a great place to watch swallows.

One of the largest Garry Oak meadows in the city.

One of the largest Garry Oak meadows in the city.

The lovely snowdrop, always our first sign of spring's approach.

The lovely snowdrop, always our first sign of spring’s approach.

Was touched by this memorial bench and the wild offering in memory.

I was touched by this memorial bench and the wild offering in memory.

We’ve decided to open the studio to visitors one Saturday per month for the next few months. If you live in Victoria, or will be visiting, please drop by!

PearsonNichollsStudioInvite

Was delighted by this scene at Beacon Hill Park; so many colours for a mid-January day!

Was delighted by this scene at Beacon Hill Park; so many colours for a mid-January day!

From a distance, I thought this tree was experiencing an early bloom. Upon closer inspection, I find it covered with berries in shades of pink and white.

From a distance, I thought this tree was experiencing an early bloom. Upon closer inspection, I find it covered with berries in shades of pink and white.

Gorgeous, cold, sunny day today. We walked around in Fernwood enjoying the brisk air. We stopped at the Cornerstone Cafe for a warmup. Their hot chocolate is very good. It had a nice subtle scent of cinnamon and a hint of cinnamon and chili in the flavour. The cafe is very pretty and a true part of the community.

Rich and creamy, great flavour!

Rich and creamy, great flavour!

Bright, large windows look out towards the square and The Belfry Theatre.

Bright, large windows look out towards the square and The Belfry Theatre.

Cornerstone Cafe, corner of Fernwood and Gladstone.

Cornerstone Cafe, corner of Fernwood and Gladstone.

The sad sight of discarded trees. Hopefully these are destined for some useful purpose.

The ghosts of Christmas newly past.

The ghosts of Christmas newly past.

Spent the afternoon at the Royal BC Museum yesterday; we haven’t been there is years! For those of you in Victoria, they are open by donation ($5 suggested) until January 9. There is an amazing Wildlife Photography exhibit on right now, as well as an exhibit of early printed maps. The real draw for me (as it was when I was a child) is the Modern History Gallery and its recreation of Victoria’s Old Town at about 1900. Throughout the Holiday Season, the Old Town is decked out in Christmas finery. I couldn’t resist taking a few snaps, most of which turned out fuzzy. I would highly recommend visiting this world-class museum if you travel to Victoria. Hope you all enjoy twelfth night and that you had a joyous Holiday Season; and Merry Christmas on Monday to those following the Gregorian Calendar!

A slightly fuzzy overview of the Old Town exhibit in the Modern History Gallery at the Royal BC Museum.

A slightly fuzzy overview of the Old Town exhibit in the Modern History Gallery at the Royal BC Museum.

Stairwell leading to the old Hotel.

Stairwell leading to the old Hotel.

A decorated room in the hotel.

A decorated room in the hotel.

Such a splendid sunny day, and a lot of folk out enjoying it. Just took our usual route along the waterfront and through the park, but always new things to see!

Happy to still see the festive decorations; light tree in front of the Empress Hotel.

Happy to still see the festive decorations; light tree in front of the Empress Hotel.

Pretty white berries make me long for snow.

Pretty white berries make me long for snow.

Beautiful light today; beautiful colours, red, blue, green.

Beautiful light today; beautiful colours, red, blue, green.

Cedar Waxwings!

Cedar Waxwings!

Nice day for a sail! From Dallas Road at Douglas.

Nice day for a sail! From Dallas Road at Douglas.

Oh no, GJ stepped inside a fairy circle!

Oh no, GJ stepped inside a fairy circle!

Pretty little grouping of flora and fungi.

Pretty little grouping of flora and fungi.