Saturday, September 28, 2013

Canvas #340: The Mint, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

I don't know Amanda, but I get a clear picture of her through her words and art. I think Amanda is a vibrant young woman who seems to bring a bit of joy wherever she goes. I've seen crayon art before, but Amanda did such an incredible job blending the colours, and I absolutely love the message she pasted on top. What a delightful surprise for someone to find!

She writes, My name is Amanda, and I received my canvas a couple of months ago where I live in Calgary, AB. I did my artwork on it and left in the city I was visiting, Victoria, BC. I have a couple of in-progress photos, and couple of my canvas where I left it.




I wanted to make my canvas as colourful and bright as possible. By taping some coloured wax crayons above my canvas and then blow drying them, I created what looks like a rainbow exploding on my canvas. After letting the wax dry, I cut some letters out of the newspaper and glued them to the canvas. I said "love your life," because when I think about spreading a message of positivity, I think about making sure that everyone in the world is happy and appreciates the life that they have, and lives that life to its fullest.

I left my canvas in a lovely lunch place on Douglas Street of Victoria, BC, called The Mint. I had a delicious curry chicken wrap there (twice, I might add), and I just thought the place was so cute and enjoyed myself so much that I decided to leave my canvas there. I hope someone finds it and that people enjoyed the message my artwork was trying to spread.







Thanks so much for participating, Amanda!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Canvas #319: the Folk Fest, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

There's a real kinship between music and art, so it makes sense that Megan and Danielle decided to place this canvas at the Winnipeg Folk Fest. Two busy moms, Megan and Danielle made their canvas with the help of their kids' fingers. Check it out!

We placed our canvas at the Winnipeg Folk Festival.  We have been attending for years now and this was the 40th Festival celebration.  We  decided that we would make fingerprint art.  We made one of the finale songs chorus, and we all had a great time.  I hope it brought everyone who saw it some happiness at this year’s Folkfest.

- Danielle Shannon, Megan Donald and Juliette, Clark, Molly, Maya & Evelynn



Thursday, July 18, 2013

Canvas #s 235 & 341: Calgary Farmer's Market, Calgary, Alberta, Canada


It's been a really long time since I made a canvas, and so this afternoon, I sat down and found myself creating not one, but two! I was headed to the farmer's market later that afternoon, so both canvases were inspired by local products and produce.
It says, "You have seeds of greatness inside you. Today can be your new beginning. Today could be the start of something amazing." - Joel Osteen

This one says, "Enjoy what you create. Look more. Read more. Explore. Make mistakes friends. Be ethical & never stop learning."

I hope someone looking for heirloom tomatoes comes away with much more than that!

Here's what I came away with: Fresh BC cherries!

- Erin

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Canvas #215: FOUND!

Danica wrote to share that she and her little brother found Canvas #215 in a park called Old Orchard Park. I have it listed as belonging to Ms. Croy, who asked for a bunch of canvases for her class, but never received an e-mail from her, telling her story! So it's a mystery as to who actually made this canvas!

Here's what Danica said, My 8 year old brother found this and asked me if he could keep it, I asked if there was a name on it.He said no so I said "Why not?" He got so excited and I was happy to see him so happy so in the end everybody was happy! When we got home he told our parents and we put it up in his room. We found this awhile back, but I just saw the back and I checked out the website and I noticed that mine didn't say "this is for you on it" Maybe it came off? Anyways this was really cool and I was happy to see my brother happy so thank you :)



Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Canvas #292: a dentist's office, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Ginny is a hilarious, incredibly warm woman who is currently battling cancer. Ginny writes, I am so sorry that it has taken me months - not 1 month like it should have - to finally finish my canvas and take it somewhere to give it away. I just had the worst time liking what I'd begun and so then I'd scrape it all off and begin again- I did that process 3 times!!!! I'm hoping that maybe you'll accept my excuse: I was awfully sick with my Chemo treatments. I spent days at a time, during each 3 week treatment cycle, lying in bed sleeping and watching TV. I was extremely exhausted like nothing I've ever felt before - for 3, 4 or sometimes days 5 in those weeks, to get up out of bed and down the stairs from my bedroom to the main floor and then back up to bed was more that I could do in a day. 

So my canvas lingered, along with other major parts of my life. I don't remember much of the last half of winter and most of spring. I was worried that you wouldn't accept the canvas if it was this late BUT I went ahead and finished it and put it out into the World anyways. [Editor's Note: We wouldn't DREAM of refusing a canvas past the deadline! Creativity is creativity is creativity. If any of you who are reading have a canvas past the deadline and are wondering if it will still be accepted, the answer is YES! Send it in!!!] I hope that it's was okay to do so. I left it at my Dentist's office, took some pics and "kissed it good-bye"! I am glad that I did this though and appreciate the work that you have put into the project.

p.s. I have surgery tomorrow to get the tumours OUT!!! Wish me luck!




Let's all send Ginny some positive vibes, shall we? Huge amounts of luck to her!!!! Ginny needs to be cancer free NOW! Fingers crossed!!!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Canvas #241: Orlando Airport, Orlando, Florida, USA

Avery is one of Ms. Currie's students. I am so happy to see these canvases created by kids going so far in the world!

She writes, My name is Avery and I am in Grade 3. I painted this canvas at school. I knew I was going on a vacation to visit an aunt in Florida. So I colored a picture to say "Hi" to my friends in the USA. I'm from Canada. I left my canvas in the Orlando Airport in between the bushes beside a sitting area. It's not easy to see. I hope someday a bored traveler will discover my canvas and make them smile.




How awesome is Avery?! I am so thrilled to see these kids being the change they want to see in the world!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Canvas #280, a park, Seoul, South Korean

Vanessa's a teacher in Soul, South Korea. She writes, I know that it has been more than a month, I hope you will still accept it! I completed this with my grade 4 class... each person drew one star. We came up with the idea all together.


What a lovely idea for Vanessa and her students to do together!!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Canvas #196: the biological sciences building, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Kim's message to the future doctors of our society is such a welcome reminder!

She writes, I put the canvas where our 'up and coming' doctors and scientists will see it, when handing in assignments.  It is my hope that our loved ones, studying so hard, will remember to take the time to do what makes them happy, outside of school work. 



Kim is such a beautiful soul and this artwork definitely reflects what an amazing person she is!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Canvas #276: FOUND! A Tim Hortons, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

It seems that lots of canvases have been found lately! Love that people are taking the time to write in about their finds.

Here's what Ashy said: My little niece Ashy found this canvas as we walked in to our usual coffee destination. Her eyes lit up and she gasped, "What is that!?" She picked it up and asked us to read it to her. She clung to it for the remainder of our stay and brought it home with her. All the while asking why it was there, what do we do with it, and who put it there. She seemed quite excited and would like to make one of her own to surprise someone else. <3

Isn't Ashy so cute with the little canvas?! Love!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Canvas #270: FOUND! The Skytrain, Burnaby, British Columbia

Shalyn found Canvas #270!

She writes, I was coming home from a rough day at work and saw it sitting there..curious, I picked it up and was really happy. Completely brightened my day and made me think people are still sweet and kind and generous. Thanks!

She took a photo of the canvas:

People ARE sweet and kind, aren't they? I love people. :)

Canvases #237 - 255, all over the place, mostly in Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

This is, without a doubt, my FAVOURITE post yet.

Jasmine is a teacher who decided to do the Blank Canvas Project with her students. I've had several teachers approach me about doing the project with their classes. Since the budget for this project comes from my own pocket, what I propose to teachers is that I send them the labels for the back of the canvases, and they take care of getting the canvases and easels.

Here's Jasmine's story. After hearing about the Blank Canvas project through a friend I knew that this would be a wonderful message to send to my students. I am currently a first year grade ¾ French Immersion teacher in Merritt, BC.  I thought it was an inspiring project that would really cultivate some positivity in the class. 

Initially my students were upset that they would have to give up their precious canvases but once we took the time to look at examples on the website and read some of the stories, my students were inspired. They were excited to see that they could potentially make somebody’s day all the better with a small message. I liked hearing how much thought that they were putting into their tiny canvas and also the thought that went into the potential placement. Some wanted to leave them at retirement homes, take them on their family trip to the USA, leave them at Tim Horton’s or even leave one at the Ronald McDonald house. Students also wrote a small piece to accompany their art project and to explain why their art sent a positive or happy message. I was so pleased with how this project turned out and I hope some lucky people in the community of Merritt find a small bit of happiness in their day when they find these canvases. Our class had 19 canvases all together numbered 237-255. The majority should be placed throughout Merritt, BC. Others may be placed outside of this area.

 Here are some of Jasmine's students' canvases:



















Love this so, so much! Thank you very much to Ms. Currie's class!!!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Canvas #317: a gazebo in Langley, British Columbia, Canada

I sooooo apologize for neglecting the Blank Canvas Project lately. There's a bunch of really great canvases coming up this week!

Dani writes, Originally I had a million ideas on how to make this canvas represent me. However the timing of receiving my canvas, was the same day the Boston Marathon bombing happened. It only made sense to support Boston with simply using Boston Strong.

I did use the Boston Red Sox "B" - which does represent my love for baseball.

The canvas is placed in Langley at a gazebo in the middle of the parking lot between Home Depot and the liquor store.

I hope the person who finds it will take a minute to remember those lost at the marathon. Seeing support for something so tragic always makes my heart melt. I hope this does the same. 



What a beautiful, positive message, Dani!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Canvas #310: Angel's Heaven Guest House, Thulokharka, Nepal

Wow. Just wow. Murphy's canvas traveled all the way from Calgary to Nepal, and found its home there. Murphy tells it best. Here's his story:

Traveling to the other side of the world on a two week field trip with 22 students from Calgary may not sound like the best idea to some, but I can honestly say that my recent adventure to Nepal with a group of fantastic grade 11 and 12 students was a phenomenal experience.  The trip included working in an orphanage for 6 days, building playgrounds and relationships with 45 amazing Nepali children, three days in Hong Kong being tourists and three days trekking and relaxing in the Pokhara/Annapurna range area of central Nepal.  All told, it was truly an experience of positivity so it stands to reason that I would leave my canvas behind during part of the trip.  After carrying it around and regularly having it on display with me (hotels and dining tables, etc) it was time to bid my painting goodbye at the Angel's Heaven Guest House dining room at Australian Camp (Thulokharka) Nepal.  It may be tough to notice with the majestic Himalayas rising in the distance but if you find it, take a minute to spread the positivity.





Canvas #236: Univeristy of Victoria Library, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

So funny that we have a couple of canvases placed in the University of Victoria library one after the other!

Jaime writes, I put mine in the University of Victoria library because I have spent many hours in there wanting to throw my books against the wall. Now that I'm graduating, I won't be feeling that way in that place anymore, but I know others will. I just wanted to remind a hardworking soul to just "keep on, keepin' on" (which is what it says over my snail if you can't read it.) Good luck to everyone, it feels good to take your backpack off after carrying around too many text books for 4-5 years.


Monday, April 8, 2013

Canvas #232: Starbucks, Yamnuska Hall, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Talia's canvas reminds University students to take a second and slow down, right in the middle of exam season. I think her canvas will definitely be a welcome reminder. She says, I left my canvas at the Starbucks in yamnuska hall at the University of Calgary. Hopefully it will remind people that one of our simplest human functions is also one of the most gratifying and can largely influence our well being. So with exams around the corner, chill out, take a deep breath, and do your best to enjoy the ride!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Canvas #298: a hospital, Lancaster, California, USA

 Dee Dee expresses an emotion I think a lot of Blank Canvasers feel: I have to say that leaving the canvas behind was much harder than I thought.  I wanted to have a hidden camera to see who took the canvas & what their reaction was.  I placed my canvas "Refresh" at a hospital water fountain.  I spend a lot of time in doctors offices & hospitals so I understand the great need to be "refreshed".  Hence, my reason for the canvas, as well as, the placement.  I hope it brings joy to whoever found it.  Sorry for the blurry picture. I was a little nervous:)


 What a lovely message I think a lot of patients and visitors at the hospital will be comforted by. Thank you for participating, Dee Dee!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Canvas #288: Prima Strada restaurant, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada


Alison's story is so great. I love the lessons she's teaching her kids through their participation in the Blank Canvas Project!

Alison writes, We are a family of four, with two boys, ages 2 and a half and four months old. We want to ensure that as we raise our kids we are teaching them about Happiness and the concept of that by doing nice things for others, not only is it the 'right' thing to do, it is a sure fire way to increase  your own happiness.  We also want to promote contributing to our community.  

I saw a post about this project on Facebook and it seemed like a great way to demonstrate this to our toddler, and walk the talk

We painted a pizza, as food is also a big part of our family.  We love to eat and cook together and pizza is a favorite.  To make sure we were all apart of it, we made tomatoes with all of our fingerprints (there was paint everywhere, and it was great!).  

We placed it at our favorite restaurant, Prima Strada, Victoria BC - we have had great meals there as a family, and with friends.  The best part is they give our toddler pizza dough to play with at the table, and has brought so much happiness to him with this simple gesture.  We now often make pizza at home, and enjoy many moments of throwing the dough in the air singing 'Mama Mia, Pizzeria'.  We wanted to give back to the restaurant with the canvas to say 'Thank you'.  We took it last night, had a great meal with good friends, and left it in the middle of the room when the servers were not looking.  The best part was we talked about it all week to our toddler, about how we were making the world a more beautiful place, and how we were doing it as a surprise, and 'just because' - not for any credit, or anything in return.  He loved it, and was very proud (we had a great chat about it this morning at breakfast)


Thank you for the wonderful idea and helping create a fun moment and lesson for our family.


Aren't the fingerprint tomatoes the best idea ever!? I love it!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Canvas #284: Innisfail hospital, Innisfail, Alberta, Canada

Elisha makes beautiful art with newsprint. She's shared some of the process of the creation of her canvas for the Blank Canvas Project over on her Facebook site, as well as some of her other beautiful artwork.

Elisha says, I was very excited to participate in this project as it ties in so wonderfully with my artwork.
 

I use newsprint in my art and specifically incorporate positive words into each piece.
I chose to leave my piece at the local hospital/extended care here in Innisfail, AB. I arranged with the ladies in admitting to leave it in a patients room while they were out. Due to privacy I was not allowed to do it myself. So I left it in admitting and can't wait to see who received it!!




Don't you think it would be so inspirational for a patient to find that in his or her room?? Positive vibes all around!! Thanks, Elisha!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Canvas #214: FOUND!

Christine's canvas was found!

Sheri found the canvas outside of the Barnes & Noble where Christine left it. Here's what she has to say: I saw it out the corner of my eye, "this is for you" I picked it up admired the black mountain like image and they colorful sky. Flipped it over and looked your website up. Made my day!!

Sheri included a picture of the canvas.


Sponsors