ENJOY THE MOMENT
(Snickett Park)
In searching my emotions and creative center for the story, I’m constantly turned back to the very name of the place where I found the inspiration for this image. Snickett Park is located virtually in downtown Sechelt, British Columbia. It’s a sea walk of beauty and energy such that any community would envy it for their very own. Seasonal variations, ever-changing weather conditions, unpredictable sea life and fauna means that no Snickett Park walk is ever like the other. Incidentally, apparently one of the meanings of “Snickett” is “a passageway between walls or fences”. Bounded by forest, rock and the Salish Sea, Snickett Park Trail certainly fits that definition.
I’ve walked the trail of Snickett Park hundreds of times over the years. Always aware of the painting image calling to me, it was only and finally in March of 2024 that I was able see the image I knew was there all along. Joy and I were walking the trail together after a medical appointment earlier in the day. I suppose those circumstances were a part of me finally “seeing” the image. My emotions were somewhat open and raw.
As we meandered together, I wandered a bit from the paved trail. And the image came into focus. “Just a minute Joy. I found the painting.” And it was done. A simple photograph was all it took. Somehow today, at this moment, there was both a painting and a story, and it had taken me over 30 years to find it.
Even as I compose this story having just completed the painting, I think the path is very much a part of both the image and the story. As the path disappears around the corner, it would be folly to anticipate what awaits. I suppose that’s the message that comes to me at this time. Enjoy the beauty, colour and tranquility that’s before you. Because, even though you’ve been around that familiar corner of the path hundreds of times before, one never knows what awaits you this time.
Enjoy the moment.