by Marja-Leena 
Here is my second self-portrait conribution to the self-portrait marathon. As a late-starter because I was away, I’m trying to catch up just a little and must say I’m having fun.
Do go have a look at the fantastic variety of work as more and more are coming in.
by Marja-Leena I’ve been getting acquainted with an interesting and fairly new arts blog CultureGrrl, written by Lee Rosenbaum, a longtime cultural journalist who writes for Wall Street Journal and Art in America. Yesterday she wrote some interesting observations about the prehistoric art scene in the Dordogne region of southwest France where many of the great caves including Lascaux are located.
As you know, I’m passionate about prehistoric art and this report is an interesting follow up to my recent articles on the fungus in Lascaux and the group working to save it. Last year I also posted about a cave replica being prepared for a travelling exhibition. Getting a nice group of articles here, aren’t I? To cap it all, I need to visit the area, but as Rosenbaum writes, it may be difficult to see them. Go read!
Later: Leslee wrote in the comments that there’s an article about this in Time magazine. This is similar to the earlier one published in the European edition, mentioned by Rosenbaum and which I also linked to in the earlier post.
by Marja-Leena 
Photo © Erika Rathje
Our youngest and very talented daughter has caught the blog bug! I am proud to introduce Erika’s blog thirteen cent pinball. Erika is a web and graphic designer and student entering her last year of studies at Emily Carr Institute this fall – have a look at her portfolio. She writes about a wide variety of subjects and offers interesting links such as the very neat one animator vs. animation. Welcome to blogistan, Erika!
In case you missed them, a few months ago I introduced the blogs of daughters Anita and Elisa. I’m very proud of our talented family!
by Marja-Leena Leaving Christina Lake, our journey continued eastward through the beautiful Rocky mountains straddling both BC and Alberta. Once over the other side, the first thing we noticed was the wideness of the rolling almost treeless hills and the wideness of the huge sky above. The expression “big sky country” came to mind, and memories of growing up on the prairies rushed in.
When we first saw a windmill, we were struck by its beauty, and again memories arose, this time of the windmills we saw in Denmark some years ago. When we came upon some gentle hills that had a row of dozens of these tall graceful modernist looking structures, we could not help but stop and drive along the gravel road to get closer to this “farm” – yes, they are called windmill farms!
Alberta, an oil rich but hydroelectric-poor province has led Canada in increasingly investing in this clean and efficient renewable resource. At home we learned that this “farm”, which had a sign “Cowley North” is part of the Cowley Ridge Windplant, the first commercial windplant in Canada. It was completed in two phases in 1993 and 1994. Fascinating! Why isn’t BC investing in these on our windy westcoast? So much better than nuclear energy anywhere!
Our destination, Lethbridge sits on the edge of a coulee overlooking the Oldman River. Our hotel was next to this, so we enjoyed an evening walk along the lovely nature trail here as we watched the sun lowering in the sky behind the High Level Bridge. Across on the other side, straddling the slopes of the coulee, is the unique University of Lethbridge building designed by Arthur Erickson.
The next day would be the highlight of the whole trip….
UPDATE June 15th: Don’t miss Roger’s comments on a historical site in Lethbridge (which we visited long ago) – Fort Whoop-up.
UPDATE 2, June 15th: Exciting news – BC is developing a windfarm! My husband has been doing a lot of research on wind energy for personal interest as well as a potential project at work, all inspired by this trip. Tonight he came across the Nai Kun Project. The proposed Nai Kun wind farm is to be situated in Hecate Strait between Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) and Prince Rupert off the coast of BC. The wind farm will be built during the calm periods of the year, over a three or four-year period. Construction is expected to be complete by 2010. It’s a very interesting and informative website with some videos to view, including this project.
(Read more at Alberta Trip Day 1, Day 3, Day 4 and Days 5 & 6)
by Marja-Leena 
self-portrait sketch in conte and charcoal
After being away a week, I’ve been catching up with my blog reading. I noticed a few bloggers posting a variety of self-portraits, especially Natalie. Now she has gone and challenged me to join in The Self-Portrait Marathon. At first I felt that that I couldn’t possibly, I haven’t done this in decades, I don’t have time, etcetera, etcetera. But that little voice would not go away, so I dropped everything else, found sketchbook and my favourite drawing conte and charcoal.
My oh my, I’ve lost my touch – I used to whip up quick portraits that really looked like the subjects, and of course I was the most convenient subject sometimes. This is a good lesson indeed! Anyway, here it is before I chicken out. I’m embarrassed that it’s not a great drawing and does not look like me. (I don’t look that good!) According to the challenge I am to continue to take this further so I might do some digital manipulation on it next. Should be kinda fun.
How about you, dear readers – want to join in the fun? Check out the “rules” at crackskullbob’s. You can see the self-portraits by the other marathoners on his site.
Addendum July 6, 2006: Here are the other ones that I’ve contributed to the self-portrait marathon: the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth and the sixth.
by Marja-Leena As I mentioned a few days ago, we took a little driving holiday last week. We enjoy car trips which allow us the flexibility to stop and enjoy whatever catches our interest (within some time limits of course) and have a picnic lunch somewhere along the way. We have lived in BC for a lot of years and still haven’t seen all of this province, nor that of Alberta, our destination. It has been a couple of decades since we drove the scenic Crowsnest Highway from Hope (east of Vancouver) all the way to Lethbridge, Alberta. British Columbia has several mountain ranges running north south with valleys in between, so the road does wind up and down until we cross the Rockies into Alberta.
Whenever we travel in BC, we take along our now dog-eared copy of the Beautiful British Columbia Travel Guide (1994) which was published by a magazine of that name (now called British Columbia magazine). While my husband drives, I read out loud the interesting history and facts about the communities along our route. The Crowsnest website is as interesting as the book, with much more detailed histories. I’ll just mention a few highlights of the day’s journey.
I was thrilled to see the wild rhododendrons in bloom in Manning Provincial Park, three hours east of Vancouver. This species of rhododendron is similar to the Himalayan ones, and is found in just a few locations in North America. (I wish I’d written down the information from the park.) This was the first time we were there in June to see them in bloom. We have fond memories of several cross-country skiing holidays in Manning Park when our family was younger.
Osoyoos is located on Canada’s only desert – the northern most tip of the Sonora Desert. Situated in the heart of the South Okanagan, and boasting the lowest annual rainfall and the highest average temperatures, this is appropriately called BC’s Desert Wine Country! It’s too hot for me, Spanish/Mexican looking, and popular with families and retirees. Some cool day I would like to visit the Desert Centre here.
We stopped for the night at Christina Lake, a pretty little town with cottages rimming the lake. It will be very busy in July and August but now it was still quiet, without fast food joints, hotels or fancy restaurants. These tired travellers found a lovely spot to unwind on the public beach by the quiet waters surrounded by mountains before retiring to a motel.
(Read more about the trip: Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and Days 5 & 6)
by Marja-Leena 
A long and mighty battle between these two insects outside a window next to our front door had us transfixed with fascination, as well as some horror and pity for the winged creature. We could not identify this winged insect with orange legs and a very long tail appendage with what looks like a very long stinger at the end. It seems to have a body rather like a carpenter ant with large lacy transparent wings.
Husband took lots of great photos of the drama, as winged creature struggled to free himself, flipping over and around the sticky strands that held two of his feet. Here he is upside down with the small spider tentatively approaching, then receding from this kickboxer and his wings in rapid motion.
Here’s another photo, sharpened and turned over to show his appendages and wings more clearly. Anybody know what this winged creature is?
by Marja-Leena We just arrived home this evening from a very interesting six-day driving holiday to Alberta and back, with lots of stories and photos to share for several days to come! A warm thank you to everyone who emailed and sent comments. We had occasional internet connection but it was on a PC that I was not very comfortable with, so apologies for seeming to ignore you all! I’ve missed reading your blogs. I will catch up in a few days with the correspondence and reading.
I am sorry that my new TypeKey registration for commenting seems to be giving some of you problems. Please be patient and try again. I know it works because some commenters have succeeded and my site designer has been testing it out
.
UPDATE, Sunday morning: I have decided to turn off TypeKey registration because so many of you are having problems. I look forward to receiving all your “witty, sparkling comments” (saidth Anna)!
by Marja-Leena 
Recently I happily leafed through some of my favourite photographs taken over a decade ago on Hornby Island, BC. The ocean weathered rocks and the petroglyphs were of endless fascination to me, and I eagerly captured these on film. This particular one was a special one that I named Fetus Rock, and which I later used to create Meta-morphosis IV (Primo).
In fact quite a few of my Hornby Island photographs were used in the Meta-morphosis series, combined sometimes with photos taken in Italy (a story for another day).
Here is a photo of one of the petroglyphs on Hornby.
ADDENDUM: on March 3, 2011 I wrote I am thrilled and honoured to have one of my very favourite and special-to-me photographs on the cover of Mercy Island, a collection of new and selected poetry by Ren Powell and just published by Phoenicia.
by Marja-Leena 
Image on invitation: David Curcio, “Minara”, drypoint and monotype
Vancouver’s very own international print biennial, BIMPE is a miniature print competition held every 2 years, and hosted by New Leaf Editions and Dundarave Print Workshop, both on Granville Island, Vancouver, Canada. The intent of BIMPE is to facilitate international artistic exchange and to increase public awareness and appreciation for printmaking.
This year is the fourth biennial, BIMPE IV. The Opening Reception is at 6 pm, Friday, June 9th, 2006 at Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver. BBQ to follow at New Leaf Editions, 1370 Cartwright Street.
BIMPE IV will be shown from 6th – 25th June at Federation Gallery and from 3rd – 30th July at Dundarave Print Workshop, 1640 Johnston Street, Granville Island.