Dawn MacRea, centre, will be feature Artist in March at the Leza Macdonald Art Gallery. Dawn and daughter Morgan, popped by the Gallery while I was trying to accessorize Gallery Girlfriend for January.

She needs a hat!

This is a photo of my Cousin Stephane with one of her little brothers. I know him as Boxer. We lost track of him at 18 months.

I do love this photo of Stephane, Wild Woman 2016 Marie Antoinette.

So the good news is . . . drum roll . . . his daughter found Stephane after . . 68 years. Please note even I am not that old!

Now that is a feel good story!

Happy Sunday!

I first met Andrea Gunnlaugson Furlan on a park bench at one of our many community festival. Just a passing conversation, then we were seated next to each other at the ballet and we bonded over “drag queen shoes”  . . . is that PC?

Choreographer Lola MacLaughlin’s Four Solos /
Four Cities Volio
Photo: David Cooper
© Lola Dance

What a magnificent photo of Andrea by Vancouver based international photog David Cooper and now there is a second generation. The Passport to Dance photo was taken by Emily Cooper.

Back to our Andrea who would not leave the dance studio when her big sister was taking classes! Her parents gave in and enrolled the wee Andrea too.

Andrea studied and performed for years with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, professional department, then got real creative and walked across the street to the Contemporary School of Dancers. Many professional shows later she is one of the Gems of the Ladies of Oliver.

“I love expression and creativity! Andrea says “My desire is to nurture, empower and just help.” and that she does!

“Oliver is on the edge of blossoming, becoming so vibrant” says Andrea as  she poses with Gallery Girlfriend I can’t wait for what she is going to do next!

Maybe some street dance for the next Artwalk.

Out on a limb is This year’s start to a painting.

The national bird of Poland is the White Eagle, I found out I am part polish a few days ago, rather exciting don’t you think. More on that later.

I am playing with a black watercolour marker and white acrylic, basically as an eraser, my students gasp because I always give them “the look” when they use an eraser! However this is not a pencil drawing and I do hope they break my rules.

The eagle is looking at a little girl with a flower in her hand a cat behind and it is all tied together by Mother Nature.

I like to get a photo of a new painting at the first “step back”.

Photographer Talon Baptiste

May your day soar with joy and strength!

Deb Martin, Manager of the Frank Venables Theatre with her helper, Miss Bella undecorated the beautiful trees that graced the foyer over the holiday season.

The big question is  . . who won? Enquiring minds want to know.

Back at the Gallery Nick Robertson’s “Raven” was collected. Thank you! We have a few more of his pieces in the Gallery. And we have a few Diane Gane’s on the walls as well.

Tony Munday, Munday Media and Design you want us to do what! Jennifer, Cathy and Manda want to know!

Tony gathered a group of interested citizen together to discuss the Branding of Oliver. The question is how do you get a group of people to come together, share their ideas and opinions.

At the same time get people out of their regular thought patterns and collectively think outside the box.

The diverse group had great input, with different ideas and opinions, when asked to come together and define Oliver as a Person, divided into two groups this is what we came up with ! We all had a great chuckle.

                                However the bottom line was a lot was learned about our community!

It was a good think tank!

Watercolour sketch by Leza Macdonald
available for collection at the Gallery 6250 Main St. Oliver BC

What is next for Oliver? More art, more wines, more marathons, more events on Main St.

I know I am looking forward to  . . What’s next!

I trust we have all broken our New Years resolutions by now!

Well Done!

Onward and upward we shall march into 2018.

Happy New Year, may it be a wonderful year!

Wishing you Peace, Joy and Happiness and the good health to enjoy it all. Thank you for such a learning year. Leza