The Wild Women invaded Oliver for the 9th Wild Women Workshop – Steampunk!

Jan styling in her Grandpa’s hat at Oliver’s Train Station, also known as the Info Centre.

Oliver you showed off your diversity of locations  this month.

“What is Steampunk?” I have been asked that a lot.

My definition of steampunk is a sub genre of science fiction, meets victorian transportation, plus art, plus taking items form the industrial age and repurposing them into the future.

The Pentiction Art Gallery first introduced me to Steampunk through the history of transportation in the Okanagan. I had 5 paintings in the show. How lucky!

My thoughts were to cancelled the WWW – Steampunk this year because I did not think I had anything to offer. It has been a challenging year!

However the gasp from my friend made me reconsider. I turned on the auto pilot, starting making props, sent out my visions to Diane Gane – Props and Dianne Gibson – Wardrobe, scouted locations and got permission for the sites . . .  well, most of them . . . . we didn’t get shot for trespassing and the rattlers kept their distance from “that” site!

. . . uhmmm . . not sure where this is . . . and we scared away any snakes!

Locations is where Oliver shined.

The Oliver Museum and Diane’s 1903 mimeograph machine were perfect in the shot.

Way back in 1968 I started visiting Oliver, the land has always seduced me. I loved the entrance from the north. As soon as you get to where the Goats hang out the trees and land change. The rocks to the east and west open up to this amazing valley. The way the light plays on the east benches gives me great pleasure. I am home here in Oliver!

Oliver’s Labyrinth, the grass looks magical.

The natural beauty aside, looking for locations, I found an old train station, a jail, the labyrinth and the desert, all were perfect for Steampunk fantasies.

The other question I get is . . Why?

Why do a group of Wild Women let me dress em up, paint em up and photograph them in all this makeup and costumes? Why do they agree to be living sculptures?

Because it is fun! Period!

And very empowering!

And really, why not!

I must admit as soon as Tiffany sat down for her makeup, auto pilot switched off and I was back in the saddle! This year the Wild Woman Workshop gave me back to me.

                       I thank Diane Gane for sourcing the amazing props. The suitcases are from her family. So sorry about the dent in the 115 year old mimeograph machine.

And I love the birdcage . . . it is in my custody at the moment.

Dianne Gibson was brilliant this year! I had my heart set on wings and she came through! Not an easy task, but Cindy got her wings! Thank you!

Most of all I thank the Wild Women 2018. What an amazing job you all did.

The paintings are on display at Maker Place! On Station Street across from the Coast Hotel.

Do stop by and check out the paintings of these amazing Women.

Tiffany, Sheryl, Polly, Dawn, Maureen (Moe), Jan, Diane, Sue and Cindy.