This painting was completed in the spring of 2008, April to be exact. It speaks about the wonderful diversity that is coastal British Columbia. Since I’ve lived in Gibsons at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, I’ve painted images depicting various activities and subject matter. I’ve painted images of golf courses, I’ve painted various canoes on the ocean waters, I’ve painted fishermen enjoying the soothing calm of a fresh water lake and I’ve painted the serene beauty of the stately mountain peaks that can be seen from almost anywhere in Gibsons. And now, with the completion of Dakota Ridge, I’ve painted the deep snows of our local mountains being enjoyed by a snow shoer trekking the forest trails.
The significance of all of these images as a collection is the fact that I could have actually enjoyed all of those activities in one glorious spring day. Dakota Ridge, located in the mountains between Gibsons and Sechelt, has been developed by a group of volunteers and the local Regional District. Road access is maintained so that locals can get up there throughout the year. Cross country skiers, snow shoers, toboganners and those who simply want to be in the winter snows, all enjoy the unique beauty of Dakota Ridge.
Imagine living in a place where you could tend your flower garden with your morning coffee, paddle an outrigger canoe in Howe Sound before 10 AM, play nine holes of golf in the mid day, catch a trout by late afternoon and then snow shoe in the mountains to savor the setting sun over Vancouver Island. That truly could be a day for virtually anyone on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia in the months of March, April and May.
We live in a very special corner of the world just a short ferry ride from Vancouver, and one of those places that makes it so special is our very own “Dakota Ridge”.
