A visit with a society I’m a temporary member of while I’m
out here … took us to a member’s home – where her artist daughter and intrepid
husband live …
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| Fire Lily - centre piece of art in her mother's house |
The Times Colonist did a wonderful write up (see link below)
on their home looking out towards the lower gulf islands in Satellite Channel …
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| Cherry Point area on Vancouver Island ... showing some islands, inlets, ferry routes etc |
I was talking to Kmit, the artist, as I do … and she offered
to show me round their studio and home – so once again I had a private tour:
very lucky me …
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| From the mother's home looking out to Salt Spring Island |
… it’s an extraordinary home – as you can read from the
article and from the notes and photos I took that match each other …
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| Kmit's giant easel ... for the large art works she creates ... |
I suggested to one of my book club contacts they take visiting Colorado
friends to the Gallery … they stayed two hours … I bet they engaged
with Kmit and her husband … like–minded souls, I would think …
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| Blue bottle tree - I gather, they need two more |
Anyway enough of my back story … and on with the tour … they
are both so talented as you will see from the photos …
Some interesting facts taken from the Times Colonist article
– but noted as I was shown round the building:
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| Butcher's block from recycled Maple |
Industrial plant/barn converted to this amazing art,
workshop, music space …
Once the building was surveyed … including the upstairs
floor being of car deck strength (as in car ferry supports) …
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| One of Kmit's shire horses |
... Kel, Kmit’s husband, conserved and utilised the various
woods on the property … fir, maple, … and see article for other innovative places
resources were found and put to good use …
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| Abkhazi Garden as painted by Kmit |
The art … Kmit loves horses, particularly shire horses … and
plants and gardens – you’ll be getting a post on the Abkhazi Garden shortly …
but here’s Kmit’s stunning painting of it …
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| The barn/art/music studio's kitchen - where they live |
Talk about luck at being shown around … and in the article
(linked below) I love Kmit’s words ‘We hope never to retire’ … they’ve
developed their small property into a self-contained and community friendly
farm …
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| An art work Kmit made while at university ... one I rather liked |
Lots of photos here … and I know you’ll understand why I
wanted to share with you all …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
38 comments:
Testing my comment set up ... trust thyself Hilary!
Oh ok ... no-one's commented yet - it does work!!
I bet it makes a cool studio and workshop. Dig the kitchen.
It works! Or does it...
Lovely place, Hilary, and obviously talented people. Loved the fire lily - such deep, rich, colours.
Yup - it does work ... finally got round to implementing the instructions sent to me by quite a few blogging friends ... - so thank you !!! Now I can relax and await all commenters ... really appreciate each and everyone of you ... cheers H
Wow, amazing is right! You take the most lovely and interesting trips. I must get into the same habit - you're so inspiring. :) Thanks, as always, for sharing. Have a great weekend!
Wow, wow and wow. What an amazing place. And couple.
Thank you so much for the links.
That's some pretty fantastic art!
Such fabulous artwork! It's great that they were willing to show you around. Your horizons are truly being expanded while you're living in that area, aren't they? Then again, I have a feeling you'd find something wonderful to see and learn about, no matter where you were in the world. (And that's a GOOD thing!)
Have a wonderful weekend.
You get to go to the best places. I will comment on I have a blue bottle tree in my yard. Glad you figured out how to get your comments. sandie
@ Alex - the whole place as you can gather 'blew my mind' ... it was absolutely extraordinary and I was so lucky ...
@ Mike - yes comments worked - thank you! Highly talented and very clever with their ideas ... as well as excellent abilities. Isn't the fire lily great - gosh I loved her paintings ...
@ Hilary - oh right I don't need to answer my own comments - do I?!
@ Karen - this was a huge dollop of icing on a wonderful day out and place to see ... I was and am so lucky to have been there ... such a treat.
I know I've just been in the local city (town of 5,000 souls) ... but suddenly found a whole lot more to post about - they seem to drop into my blogging lap.
@ EC - yes the links do take you to some wonderful insights into their magnificent homes, studio and art ... it was superlative to see ...
@ John - I agree ... Kmit's art is staggeringly lovely ...
@ Susan - I just seem to be lucky ... Kmit was wonderful showing me around, while her husband entertained the others who had turned up ...
You're right ... I seem to be enjoying all kinds of treats that I don't think would come my way in England ... well they haven't to date ...
... and yes I do like to learn - that I've realised in the last 10 years or so ... just delighted I can write some of it up here ...
@ Sandie - I do - you're right ... and so lucky. That's great you too have a bluebottle tree ... they're fun.
Thanks to you all for pushing me on to get my comments sorted out - done now ... and thank you all for commenting - mind you I guessed you'd love the art and home ... cheers Hilary
It's so great to get to talk to the artist. It sounds like she was a fascinating person to talk to.
Looks the perfect place to me. I love the horse and the garden painting not so keen on the one you like at the bottom! Enjoy the weekend Diane
An interesting and inspirational visit I'm sure.
The perfect place to wander . . .
Love,
Janie
What gorgeous work. I'm right there with that horse, in that garden. What a wonderful house to tour.
@ Liz - they were a very interesting couple ... and it was lovely seeing round the two homes and studio ...
@ Diane - I agree ... I could have moved in tomorrow! - stunning views. Her art work is exceptional ... I just rather like black and white art ... but each to their own ...
@ Keith - yes, it was so interesting to read about their achievements at the property ... I love it when people make the most of their lives ...
@ Janie - I could most definitely have wandered more ...
@ Jacqui - I know the art was quite wonderful. The horse and the garden together ... not such a good idea - the garden itself is tiny and steep ... but glad you like both pieces ...
Cheers to you all - have happy weekends ... Hilary
Fascinating couple doing fascinating work.The things one discovers when rambling.
I am glad you manage to get out and about and see some of the interesting spots and people.
Happy hunting.
Beautiful painting of the horse. And what a lovely place. You must be having so much fun!
I would probably have tried to stowaway so I could live in that house!
Or at least smuggle that table away... ("Look! Haley's Comet!" ... *whisk!*)
Gorgeous stuff.
I love when you share photos so we can experience it, too!
Some really cool stuff there! Love the blue bottle trees :) And that Fire Lily is amazing.
He must be really K'mitted to Kel!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s unthinkable Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Lucky you, Hilary. What an honour. Their art and home are beautiful. An amazing experience.
@ Friko - they are an amazing couple ... so it was a delight to meet them and be shown round. I was lucky to be invited via the society I belong to ... and yes I've been around a little and able to see places ...
@ Inger - Kmit's horses are wonderful aren't they. Their home is quite amazing ... and yes being able to be out and about is lovely ...
@ Jz - well I think I'd agree and there were lots of places to hide away - yet of course then all the kerfuffle when one is found out - would put paid to the pleasure ... the butcher's block table needed to get down the stairs and I think that would be quite heavy ... but as you say: gorgeous to see ..
@ Kelly - thanks I usually try and add photos as it brings the post, or area, to life - so delighted you appreciate them ...
@ Rebecca - the blue bottle tree is fun isn't it ... while the art work is extraordinary ... especially the Fire Lily - it really shone out ...
@ Bazza - it's actually the other way round ... She is really Kmitted to Kel - but it was such an honour to meet such delightful, creative and brilliant people ...
@ Murees - yes I was lucky ... and it was an amazing experience, one I won't forget ...
Thanks for visiting ... we've had a little rain here, and it is somewhat cooler - so it's bliss ... but I have to get back to the house to see round again - delighted you enjoyed seeing their art and home ... cheers Hilary
Sounds like a glorious time. She's an amazing artist.
Cheers
You’re reall6 mak8ng use o& your time in Canada to see some amazing places and meet some wonderful people!
Hi Hilary, I've often seen kitchens double as studios. Makes sense for some strange reason. Or not.
Wow! How lucky that you got a private tour! Such a lovely place to create art for sure. I really love Kmit's painting of the Abkhazi Garden. Just Beautiful. And that fire lily. So vibrant. Thanks for taking us on such a special tour today. :)
~Jess
@ Sandra - having the tour around made it extra special and she is an amazing artist ...
@ Sue - just happened to be lucky with this particular outing ... while I'm doing what I can while I'm here ...
@ Stephen - I'm sure there are lots of innovative spaces ... this house was huge - an industrial plant converted ... the kitchen was separate and part of an apartment within the whole - but it was superb to see ...
@ Jess - I know I was really lucky and so enjoyed it. They've created the best for the studio - good positioning within the building. Isn't that painting of the Garden amazing ... and I could really see it - when I visited recently, but after this visit ... it was special as you say ...
Thanks so much - lovely to see you ... here it is cooler ... cheers Hilary
Fascinating. The scenery is gorgeous but its the people who often are the most interesting...:)
Thanks Troutbirder ... I agree - peoples are fascinating and one can learn so much - I'd love to spend more time with this couple ... but suspect our paths won't cross that often. It's a delightful home ... cheers Hilary
What beautiful photos and art work by Kmit Hilary. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Susan - her works of art are stunning aren't they ... and I must make a plan to go back again when the gallery is open during the summer - cheers Hilary
What creativity. I'm sure you enjoyed your visit to such a lovely place and interesting people.
Hi Juliet - it was an amazing visit and I was so lucky to be shown round ... it'll be fun to see how much they get done in the year ahead, ie while I'm still here to see - thanks for commenting - cheers Hilary
How wonderful that they showed you around! I'm a little bit (okay a lot) jealous of that kitchen, though.
@ Lynda - yes I was so lucky and I'm with you ... so jealous - but full of admiration for them and their achievements (both of them: Kmit with her art, and Kel with consultancies) ... and making the best of the land. Lovely to see you here ... thanks - Hilary
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