by Marja-Leena
Or, the ex-butter dish. I still have the little pitcher. Both were made by a local potter long ago and were gifts from my husband.
Other ‘breaks’ featured on these pages (this is getting embarrassing):
a broken bowl
another broken bowl
reflections in broken glass
broken glass ornament
by Marja-Leena
Added later: scanned onion skins
by Marja-Leena 
Tomoyo Ihaya, Ladakh Indus I, 2009, mixed media.
I haven’t posted about any exhibitions in a long while but here’s one that I want to share. My friend Tomoyo Ihaya is presenting “DRAWINGS – TREES and WATER”:
Trees and water are recurring subjects in Ihaya’s artworks. In her eyes, they are symbols of growth and life, essential to human and other creatures’ existence. Profoundly influenced by her recent travels and life in India, Ihaya’s new series of works are extremely relevant in today’s eco-conscious world, but more specifically pertain to the artist’s personal journey. The underlying environmental theme echoes insights on the effect of western influence over Indian culture while the importance of living well with insight and an open mind reminds one not to take the basic fundamentals of life for granted.
OPENING: Friday, February 27th, 2009, 3-6pm, with the artist in attendance
Exhibition runs until May 15th, 2009
at ART BEATUS, 108 – 808 Nelson Street, Vancouver
Please read more about Tomoyo and her influences on the gallery’s site. And this excellent article with photo in the Straight (half-way down).
Tomoyo is a sensitive and prolific artist who exhibits frequently, so it’s no surprise she appears on these pages several times, first in January 2005. Please search for more if interested. Way to go, Tomoyo!
by Marja-Leena 
Third of the English Bay series, this time of the mirror-like surface of the Second Beach Pool on the edge of the bay in Stanley Park.
A lovely aerial view of it may be seen here.
The others in the series:
English Bay: trees
English Bay: beach
English Bay: sky
by Marja-Leena You must watch this amazing video at TED.
Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.
Gilbert is the author of the bestseller Eat, Pray, Love. It came highly recommended and lent to me by my sister-in-law. Not usually the kind of book I’d choose, I read it last summer and enjoyed her writing. Now seeing and hearing her powerful message was an inspiration for me. I think you will feel the same. (Thanks, Elisa, for pointing me to it!)
PS. I just remembered a very old post on creativity that is worth reading again. It’s a reminder that our simple daily acts of creativity are just as important as the ‘masterpieces’ that may come along, sometimes just once in a lifetime.
Added Feb.20th, 2009:
Very related to the above is a post by Elaine Lipson called Visiting the Muse. Written in her always warm, articulate and thoughtful way, it made me nod my head in agreement. Have I ever told you that Red Thread Studio is one of my favourite artist’s blogs?
by Marja-Leena 
now trimmed above new buds
awaiting spring
by Marja-Leena
We spent a lovely weekend staying with dear friends in Victoria on Vancouver Island. It was the first time I saw their recently completed beautiful new home on the seashore. Much talking, catching up with each other’s and our families’ lives, good food and drink, walks on the beach and a huge garden, a birthday lunch, and more meant the time just flew.
I forgot to take photos but thankfully my husband took a few. My favourites are these, taken on our walk around the gardens of Government House, on a high hill overlooking the city. In the distance to the south are the waters of Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains of Washington State.
The extensive lands include a large woodland area with the endangered Garry Oaks, unique to southern Vancouver Island and many of the Gulf Islands, such as on Hornby where I’ve seen them. Their gnarled appearance is most noticeable this time of year without their leaves.
It was too early to see the gardens at their best but we were delighted to see many spring flowering bulbs tucked into sheltered spots throughout. I loved the masses of puffy seed-heads on this clematis. Sadly there was a lot of frost damage to some plants from the extremely cold winter we’ve had, even in this balmiest area of Canada.
by Marja-Leena 
More photos from that lovely day at English Bay….
Wishing all my readers a Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Friendship Day as celebrated in Finland.
Addendum: The other photos in this series:
English Bay: trees
English Bay: reflections
English Bay: sky
by Marja-Leena 
February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification…
Historical names for February include the Anglo-Saxon terms Solmonath (mud month) and Kale-monath (named for cabbage) as well as Charlemagne’s designation Hornung. In Finnish, the month is called helmikuu, meaning “month of the pearl”; when snow melts on tree branches, it forms droplets, and as these freeze again, they are like pearls of ice.
I may be biased, but I love the Finnish name. The cabbage name tickled me as purple as the red cabbage I’d scanned the other day!
February is the also the month of Valentines (though we ignore it) and some years Leap Day. Many famous folk have February birthdays. Today is the 200th birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, imagine that, born exactly the same day and year!
And last but not least, yesterday, February 11th was my (not-so-famous) birthday. I took pleasure in the mostly sunny day, the snowdrops that are finally (a month late) blooming in my garden, and in our walkabout and delicious dinner on Granville Island. To come later is my husband’s birthday, so it’s a great month!
P.S. Unrelated, but here’s a music video to make you smile: The Mom Song, with thanks to Viides Rooli.
by Marja-Leena 
art found in the kitchen…