Are You Teachable?

Are You Teachable?

There are many tales and much local lore that speak to us of the magic of the white raven. Spotted in Qualicum Beach recently, my friend Iris managed to capture their beauty on camera. Them being here - are they telling us that magic is returning to our land? Some believe that black soot fell many years ago, changing the raven’s feathers from pure white to black. Could this be a sign we are embracing and blending from the inside out again? Are we returning to our true nature?

There are no should or should nots in an artist’s world. I love what this philosophy has to teach us - to just go ahead with what is within us. Just let it out. Learning to leave judgement and condemnation aside, making the most of everything that seems less, and creating value from something deemed valueless. Society as a whole needs to take a lesson from the artist. Let’s think of two words: imagination and attitude. 

When we tell someone not to do something we strip them completely of their greatest gift – an opportunity to do as they please and experience the results of that opportunity. Out of fear or criticism, they miss the chance to create their unique selves, enjoying all the experiences that teach them what they are capable of. We need to have the freedom to create our own experience; everyone needs to have the freedom to create their own experience, to learn who they are right NOW. Of course, it works even better when we speak and see from a standpoint that is positive. I know from my experience that when I feel judged and belittled, any inspiration within me fades. It fades like sunset into the blackest sky without a twinkle of starlight. I do well when I can blend my imagination, skill and attitude together to create what I do and who I am; I do best when I feel encouraged to do this.

How about this masterpiece? Can you identify the myriad of different woods blended together to finish this spectacular outdoor patio settee? The top is bound together with mighty Western Red Cedar. The skirt underneath is cedar with inlaid Pear. Pear is one of the hardest woods and is very sensual and very hard. It requires very sharp tools to work with. The stunning corners are decorated with finely cut pieces of Yellow Cedar Burl, one of the most elegant burls to work with. Can you just see the brilliant markings within those pieces? Nature at its finest, craftsmanship at its finest!
  
The table is adorned by four live edge stools. And the workmanship is the product of two symbiotic minds: one with experience (an old-timer with a deeply embedded love and passion for wood) and one up-and-comer. Encouragement is one aspect of learning, indeed, but this, perhaps, is the secret to success: the mentoring process. True success is never about the degree of knowledge, skill, school/educational achievements, money, passion, or the tools. Rather, it begins with attitude. A positive attitude opens the heart and enables one to reach the deepest part of their imagination. Attitude is what makes one teachable. A positive attitude. Being teachable. Being humble. Being able to see through another’s eyes and being able to feel passion through compassion. 

How many times do we want to build a team and when we do so, we have to step back and wonder what happened? The success is only realized when both parties show basic kindergarten principles: play fair, share, tell the truth and be respectful. As soon as an attitude arises – I can sense it right away! I know better or I am better than that person; hire me because you don’t know what you are doing and other such attitudes. When this is present, sadly, any room for improvement vanishes into thin air.  Have you experienced this? I say Well, what if? What if I began to love what is in my heart? I would then have to stop all the hurtful things I think, and say, and do and replace them with kind thoughts and words. Going deeper inside myself I would have to love everything within myself including all wounds and suffering within me. In loving all inside, I could become a better human being, more alive and paying more attention to my needs, taking care of them and quit expecting others to take care of me. I would just be open to doing what is in front of me with the best intentions.  What if loving everything within me, warts and all, puts me in a better place to work in harmony with you? 

Back to this table. What a learning opportunity this became. It definitely was a work in progress and morphed into a luxurious outdoor dining feature. There are no mistakes in craftsmanship when it comes from the heart. It is what it is - unique and perfect.

This subtle, Irish Chain quilt (queen-size) contains over 1500 1-½ inch tiny squares. Can you see the rain boots delicately placed? She is backed with thick, fluffy, plush off-white backing. Surely this will be a welcome warm cuddly addition to someone’s queen-size bed.  

Iris managed to capture this stunning fellow, a pure white raven.  Do you think that this has spiritual significance? Are you embracing your true self?

Remember, you won’t see two different pieces glued together in this blog. This is the straight blending of creativity with skill. God gives us the sandbox but he doesn’t give us the order of the play. We don’t get directions on how to play, but we get the playground.  There are no directions here. The greater the demand the more our teacher appears, ready to teach us. But it doesn’t work when they just want, want, want and closed to suggestions all around them. What is your focus? What is your attitude? Are you teachable? 

Next week’s featured artist will be Sheena McCorquodale. Here is a little glimpse of her work. We know you will want to know more!

Remember the ancient Western Red Cedar slab from last week, the one from the forest fire of 1550? Well, here are her legs. They’ll soon be added to support her.

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I Am Enough

I am enough. A simple phrase with so much meaning. But what does it mean for a person to believe that they are enough? I say that it means that we no longer have to struggle with the need to be more likeable, loveable, tolerable, more talented, more acceptable, more worthy … and the list goes on. And how do artists deal with these types of issues? Could it be that this is found at the core of each of them, of each human being with a passion for a good life and what is in it?  We are enough. I am enough. These creations are enough.  Everything is enough in its own unique and beautiful state. 

Can you picture this magnificent board made into a stunning dining room table? Let me tell you about this fine piece of Western Red Cedar. It was bought from a local wood enthusiast who was extremely passionate about where it came from. As he relayed, following a forest fire back in 1550, this wood was part of a remaining stump. The fire ravaged most of the tree but this part was left behind. During that time, Spruce was the favoured tree for forestry.  The stump of the Red Cedar tree was left in place given its strength, acting as a springboard of sorts whilst the fallen trees came down against it. The fire protected the edges of the stump with the edges seared by the fire. Most species and trees are not designed to survive fires, but, as they are no different than people really, trees can be resilient, surviving and thriving during challenging times. 

In the case of this stump, the fired edges actually protected the wood at the core.  If you look closely, you will see these edges. What an amazing display of resilience they reveal! Think about that - people and animals can instinctively run from danger, but a tree is rooted to the ground and yet can still adapt and become resilient to all threats. 

Fires along the coast of Vancouver Island are documented in a research paper entitled, Holcene Fire History Of A Coastal Temperate Rain Forest Based On Soil Charcoal Radiocarbon Dates (2003). This was researched by the Environmental Management departments of Simon Fraser University and the University of Washington and written by Daniel G. Gavin, Linda B Brubaker, and Kenneth P Lertzman. There are maps within it depicting forest fires along the Vancouver Island coastline and 1550 is a confirmed date of a forest fire in this area.  

Stay tuned as this ancient beauty is transformed into a magnificent dining room table. Transformations. There is always time and vision to rebuild into a new purpose, no different than rebuilding ourselves from then to now.  

This is another beauty salvaged from an old mill on Vancouver Island.  This stunning piece was passed over because it was it did not appear to be of any use.  But with a touch of tender loving care and a bit of sweat, along with planers, sanders, chisels, this beauty appeared. What a statement this would make on a front entrance wall!  How about a few decorative hooks? I see a unique coat rack on someone’s wall - do you?

Soft and cozy.  Need I say more?

Here is another shot from our gifted photographer, Iris! Look at these West Coast trees. For those that live here, look out your window, I challenge you. The trees are always standing in pairs … for support. When adversity comes, the trees rely on one another.  And people are no different - we seek support from another person when adversity comes our way. However, while the trees do lean on one another, they will always stand independent of one another.  Our mighty trees on Vancouver Island are standing tall within the forest – they don’t do it alone.  Nature and human nature.  What a paradox.

All items presented in this blog are now available in our Etsy store.

As the blog continues to morph new social media will unfold. Our Etsy shop is new, and we have just started an Instagram page to support it. We will also have a Clvr Vuz Facebook page, and in the not too distant future, Podcasts.  Please help us by following each of these as they appear. To begin, simply click on the link below and follow this new journey with us. Any feedback you wish to provide in the Comments section is welcomed.  

I am enough say all of us this week. What an opportunity we have been given to learn from the trees! What a privilege we have to learn to let go of the need for approval from others and to be our best self each day - even thru adversity - surrounding us with love and passion (especially by those that truly love us), and above all, being grateful.  

And really what are you fearful of? What scares you so much that you have to hurt me to help yourself? I am enough!

The next article will feature a unique outdoor table with live edge benches. We are sure you will be thrilled to see and read all about it. In the meantime, please check our Instagram page for upcoming products. 

 

Clvr Vuz Instagram

The First Clvr Vuz Showcasing!

Sometimes when I travel down Memory Lane it is by way of precious old pictures. Remember the old instant Kodak Printomatic cameras? They provided an instant picture as soon as the shutter button was pressed. I still have a bunch of these old prints, and I really have to focus my ageing eyes on them to see what’s being photographed. But when I do see those moments come rushing back. Yes, a picture really does tell a thousand words! 

I look at the moments that Iris captures and I feel as I feel when I look at my own photographs. She doesn’t just point and snap, she captures the essence of the subject. Art!  Real art! I am certain you will agree as you savour this spectacular photograph. Her art is well crafted. She employs such delicate movement of the camera. This is not a technical setting; this is arranged by the photographer which gives a mysterious look to the photo.  The location is Redwood Park in Surrey Park, BC and the name of the photo is Journey. Can you imagine walking through that amazing tunnel?

Processed food and processed wood are not that different from one another. Think about that. Here on Vancouver Island, there is a very real ecological process whereby some trees simply wear out, fall down, or are left on the forest floor by the gamut of reforestation. These new artist friends are rebelling against waste and processing by making all efforts to salvage this wood before it rots away. Interestingly, it is this wood that is best for furniture and other household items that require sturdiness. How beautiful is it to think that this could be the means of a tidy livelihood for the old-time miller, the carpenter, or the creative mind? 

Many of you have no doubt heard about the famous Robert Bateman – an internationally renowned painter. He began a One Tree project whereby one fallen tree would be used by several artists to create art. Back in 2015, Joe Young was one of 42 artists chosen to participate in a project involving a fallen Big Leaf Maple tree. From his portion, Joe designed and carved a guitar. A luthier by trade, this was a natural choice for him. The picture of Joe and his guitar was taken during the Big Leaf Maple exhibition in the Robert Bateman Museum in Victoria. I suspect we will journey with Joe as he creates a guitar for this blog. Imagine a layer of Sitka Spruce guitar top inlaid with a highly figured Yellow Cedar burl, and a neck made from highly figured Tiger Maple! Some guitar lover will surely want to see this one unfold. 

My mind wanders out into that forest, the home of many interesting, beautiful tree species. It is as though spending time within such a natural setting settles my mind and gives me peace within. I am drawn to this feeling of peace. And as I think of those tangled roots lying with the forest beds, I wonder if there is a deep inspirational message whispering to each and every one of us. There are times I can hear it, but there are also times when I find myself getting sucked back into the vortex of chaos that I have worked so hard to climb out from. And then another creation from the forest appears. 

Let’s consider the Lion burl once again.  This masterpiece is from a Big Leaf Maple tree, the largest of all Maple trees. The Granddaddy. This Maple is restricted to the Southwestern part of British Columbia. The bark is grey and brown, rich in calcium and moisture; moss loves to attach itself to the limbs.

In the forest as the sun peers in, an attractive gigantic silhouette dances in the breeze, a mysterious giant of the forest – the Big Leaf Maple.  

This tree lay on the forest floor for years.  This is why it has so many colours, spalting, and textures. Some of that was mold, but given the process required to finish it - stages of planning, sanding and more - everything is sealed into the piece. As the piece came to life, the Lion appeared - a natural ancient Lion discovered within. The lion sleeps tonight perhaps? It measures 38 inches x 16 inches by 3 inches and weighs about 8 pounds. The price is set at $718 CAD.  You’ll find a link to our Etsy shop where this piece can be found below.

As the life of this blog begins to morph, a new blog post will appear every Sunday.  Upcoming features will include a "Dainty as F**k" patio table made from Western Red Cedar, a dab of Yew, and a skirt wrapped with Yellow Cedar. Charming live edge stools will adorn her. A baby quilt will be featured also. And how about a spectacular Yew live edge wallboard? These will all appear on our Etsy Shop in the coming days. 

Don’t forget to come back Sunday for another post! And while you're waiting, visit the Etsy shop. 

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ClvrVuz?ref=seller-platform-mcnav 

Clvr Vuz: New Beginnings from Old Wood

Sometimes I am just not satisfied to read books and listen to therapists. For me, they are not universal quick fixes. My fix seems to be coming in a different form, one in which the future is dimly foretold in words that are hard to understand. The best healing for me has been studying the stars - art stars. To me, they are better than any book you could possibly give me, and they provide far better therapy than any shrink ever could.

It all began when I finally burned out from a policing career that I truly loved but was clearly killing me at a slow pace. I was convinced that even though there were diagnoses of alcoholism and PTSD, I was convinced that any prescribed medication would only contribute to more damage. So, I continued to slip, falling into more and more unhealthy patterns (more relationships, more of the standard, futile attempts to cope with PTSD) with each step I attempted to take. And heck no, this blog is not going to highlight that small piece of my life! If I start talking about the past I’ll only find myself, once again, buried in it!

You see, at my lowest point, when all around me was haunting remnants of a chaotic emotional past and crippling beliefs of an unhappy future, a new sense of freedom suddenly emerged. I had just moved to a beautiful new area - a dream area, really, for any true nature-lover. Just observing this new area I was now in, awakened my senses to the potential around me and began steering my spirit to thinking of the potential within me. Creative fulfilment became my overnight focus, and I have not looked back. Nature, gardens, growing food, recycling and restoration ... anything that I could be inspired by I allowed myself to become fully so. 

I can’t wait to get into the real goods now. (Patience is not my finest attribute, I’ll admit.).  REAL, handmade, high-quality goods make my heart sing! To be able to showcase merchandise made in Western Canada, right here in my neck of the woods, brings me satisfaction and makes me feel like a strong contributor. What you will see on this page are unique heartfelt visions brought to life. No two pieces will ever be alike, and the variety will keep you coming back for more. I promise. This blog will feature local artists, real manufacturers with giant hearts, passion and creativity. Looking for flimsy, cheaply-made, IKEA-style home decor? You won’t find that here. And our artists don’t look like Lindt chocolatiers. They’re plaid-wearing, axe-totting real deals, likely to be found deep in the forests of British Columbia looking for the right piece of wood to make your next favourite piece of furniture. These artists have no time clocks and no egos, and when you see them you will see them at work in their raw state. If you want the mass-produced, cookie-cutter stuff, you are on the wrong blog!  

I promise you that this creative blog will speak to your senses and bring you great delight. Are you interested in supporting local? This is the place for you. Are you interested in one-of-a-kind art? This is definitely the place for you. Here, you will read about every piece up for sale. Here, I will draw you in with the real stories behind each and every product you can purchase for your very own. Most of these will be featured in our Etsy shop, Clvr Vuz (Clever Views).

Before opening the Etsy shop I was recycling like crazy. I was using an old sewing machine as a bed for my succulent plants, rusted wheels to support creeping plants, old fence boards for wainscoting in my home - the list goes on. I found that the less time I spent focusing on addictions and PTSD, the more time I had to focus on these wonderfully productive activities that were actually doing far more to heal me than prescription medication ever could. I also discovered that my little pastime was proving to be far more productive than I could ever imagine. Yes, I was feeling much better inside than I had felt in decades, but I was actually creating beautiful, useful commodities in the process.  Like my container gardens - can you see the boats in my garden? They are made from local cedar wood and yes, they are my container gardens – a taste of home perhaps (Newfoundland Dories)? 

All creations that will be presented weekly are all for sale. And we will do our very best to have brand-new products for you every week. I won’t always be able to give you a hint as to what is upcoming because I do not always know what is being created. Like myself, you will have to wait and see what the artists have up their sleeves. But I do promise to bring you everything they bring forth and to tell you the story behind it.

The next post in a day or two will introduce one of the main artists, Joe Young. Joe is an extremely talented woodworking artist living on Vancouver Island and in 2015 found a new fan in legendary Canadian painter Robert Bateman. Joe created this fine specimen from a Big Leaf Maple Burl. Stay tuned for the story behind this one.  Imagine this piece of art on your wall!

If you’re curious, I will be featured on this blog as well, but as a quilter. My first contribution is a queen-size quilt. This Betsy Bitch has over six hundred triangles stitched within. She’s heavily weighted too!

I would also like to introduce the brilliant photographer, Iris Schurtz who has joined Clvr Vuz for this amazing adventure into Canadian art. Without Iris, you’d be left with my iPhone images. This makes Iris as an important to this blog as the artists themselves!

New friends, keep coming back. Our wheels have only begun to turn.