Wine at Big Bar Lake and Grandma Duck

My name is Sharlene Stushnov-Lee and I am an artist living in Victoria, BC.  I first met TC and "the gang" a few years ago when they came to visit my good friend Marcela Strasdas, here in Victoria.  It sounded like they had a very good time together and I always thought that I would like to have them come and visit me.  But alas, life got in the way.

So you can imagine how surprised and delighted I was to find that they were making a return visit and would be joining us on our annual painting trip this year.    

Every year Marcela, Deborah (another friend) and I go on a painting road trip and this year was no exception.  We spent time in Kelowna, Ashcroft and Big Bar Lake. 

"Afternoon Wine" - The Gang at Big Bar Lake - Watercolour

One afternoon while we were at Big Bar Lake, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Senor Azul, Chicken and Hen and  . . .  how did that wine box get in there?  Yes, our visit may also have involved a little bit of afternoon wine. 

"Visiting Grandma Duck" - Acrylic on Canvas - 8"x8"

When we returned to Victoria, Senor Azul and The Gang finally came over to my house to meet Grandma Duck.  Grandma Duck has been around for a long time and was happy for some company.   Unfortunately, TC and friends couldn't stay long as they had already made arrangements to visit Saltspring Island, so after a short visit they packed up (or I should say were packed up) and off they went.   

Hmm . . . .perhaps another road trip next year?

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Travel Plans

"Travel Plans - Oil on Birch Panel - 8x10
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Wow, we had a blast!! TC and company finally calmed down from the excitement of being here in Victoria, BC and posed for me for a couple of hours. They were delighted to find on my coffee table a couple of books on Traveling Destinations and Must-See places. They spent the entire time hanging out on a pile of some of my favourite art and travel books in my studio planning their next escapades (I didn't have the heart to tell them it was all already planned out for them!). All in all we spent a wonderful week, telling stories of travels, art and painting and it was all music to my ears as traveling is one of my passions. I LOVE to discover new places and cultures and can't wait to go on another adventure.
It was quite the teary event yesterday when I put them back in the box and sent them off to their next destination: Saskatchewan! (one of Canada's provinces, the third one from the left). I did check the weather forecast for them in SK and it shouldn't be too bad (It can be very cold there!)! Have fun with them Christine, the next artist to host them :)
Not sure if the painting is finished yet, but I had had enough of it that day! I may go back in and redefine some lines, what do you think? Is it finished to you? Comments and suggestions always welcome!  Art by Marcela Strasdas

Till the Next Time TC and Company! Happy Travels!

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Welcome back to Victoria BC!

TC and the Gang in Front of "Spring Glory" - 9x12 - Oil on Canvas

Well, it was a happy reunion when Tc and gang arrived back in Victoria, BC! They had visited a few years ago and we had had a blast in my studio reading books and chatting about travel. My name is Marcela Strasdas, I love to paint local scenes, our gorgeous BC coastline and the many flowers and gardens we have in this city. My medium is primarily oil at present.  My special guests came to Victoria at at the tail end of cherry blossom season and as I had painted a few of them, they really enjoyed parading around in front of my paintings. They said they felt like they were walking around the neighbourhood! 
At the time, I was doing a one-month-long artist residency at the Coast Hotel in downtown Victoria so I brought them with me with the idea of painting them while there but unfortunately, I never got to it. They did enjoy meeting people from all over the world and pose for photos in front of my paintings!

TC and Gang in front of "Whiteout Conditions"
12x12 - Oil on Cradled Panel

TC & Gang in front of  "Rows of Joy"6x8 - Oil on Cradled Panel

They were surprised to see I had moved and didn't live next to the beautiful forest they had seen before behind my house so of course, they explored the house and the yard and told me all about their travels in the last couple of years. Wow, these chicks get around!!

Blah-blah-blah-blah while I make dinner!

As if they didn't travel enough I took them with me to a Plein-Air Paint out in the interior of BC which I will share int he next post! Thanks for reading!!



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