Canvas #343: Home Depot, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Trina is an incredible woman: a loving mom and wife, a talented actress and director, a compassionate teacher, and an all around wonderful person. I'm lucky to have her as a friend and part of our creativity collective.

Here's her beautiful three-dimensional canvas. It has letters all across it and says, "No matter how you spell it, YOU are ENOUGH" in the corner.

Trina writes, I placed my canvas in Home Depot as I thought that it would stick out like a sore thumb!  I truly wanted to place this little gem in an obviously unexpected location to bring it the most attention to the recipient. My recent trip to Home Depot proved to be just the right location for such an unexpected and surprising oddity to discover. So I set it amidst the ubiquitous bathroom vanity choices on a display bathroom sink counter top. Voila!

Canvas #341b, Cibo Restaurant, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I forgot to write down the last canvas so I mislabeled this one. There's two Canvas #341s out there, so we'll call this one #341b.

I have a group of friends who are my sisters in soul. We get together from time to time to create and play together. We met today, and decided we should create some canvases. In the next little while, expect some posts from these incredible ladies about the canvases they created.

Here's a sneak peak:

The canvas I created today has a simple symbol on it: the ampersand. The ampersand means something that at first seems quite ordinary: and. But if at first glance this symbol doesn't seem to hold lots of meaning, it does. It's what comes after the & that's important. The ampersand joins things. The ampersand implies more. The ampersand means growth.

So let's take that attitude to life, shall we? Let's think about the more & the next & the after. Let's think about the fullness. Let's carry on forward and grow.

We finished our creative day by going out to dinner at Cibo, an amazing restaurant in Calgary where the food is made to be shared (another hint of the &). We ate like queens. Let me give you a taste: polenta fries & handmade ricotta gnocci with sunchokes & mushroom pizza with truffle oil & hazelnuts. I left my canvas on the table after we had finished our delicious meal together.

What happened next was something I wasn't expecting. As we were putting on our coats, we gathered near the door, and were saying our goodbyes. The waitress went to clear away the glasses and cups from the table, & I watched her as she discovered the canvas. She carefully picked it up, and looked at the art, & the sticker. She flipped it over and found the label on the back. She glanced over at us, uncertain. This was a first for me - witnessing someone discovering a canvas. It was quite awesome to watch.

She came over to us, clutching the canvas, and held it up, and said, "Thank you." I said, "It's for you." She said, "This is so nice." She seemed a bit speechless, and definitely touched by the gesture. It was pretty amazing seeing the reason why this project was started in the first place - to bring joy to strangers - in person. & definitely more special that I got to experience all of it with my brilliant group of friends. & it helped me remember that even though we don't see the reactions of the people who find our canvases, & sometimes we don't even hear from the people who find them, we need to remember that people do find them and do feel joy when they do. So let's keep this project going!

On that note, I have decided to stop providing the canvases for this project, but I do want it to continue. If you are reading this and wish to participate, please send me an e-mail at quinn.erin@gmail.com. I will give you a number for the back of the canvas and let you know what to write on it. And you can go and find yourself a little canvas to decorate. Sound good? Drop me a line!

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!!!

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!

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!

Canvas #148: Chinook Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Can you believe the awesome of this?! Mikee made Grumpy Cat!!!

She says, After a tumultuous winter season in my life, I wanted to find an inspiration for my canvas that made me smile. Tardar Sauce the Grumpy cat became my muse and I pencilled a sketch of him on Canvas 148.
 
I left him in an empty hallway of Chinook Mall in Calgary, took this snap and walked away hoping to make someone else smile.

This is so awesome. Thanks, Mikee!

Canvas #119: EEEL building, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Kesia said, It took me a while to decide what to do on my canvas, and where I wanted to put it. I finally placed my canvas in the EEEL building at the University of Calgary. I wanted my canvas to make people think about something we take for granted: Freedom. I think we are really fortunate to live in a country where we have so many freedoms, from freedom of speech and religion to the freedom we have to explore and be ourselves and have fun. The freedom we have in Canada saves us from a lot of worries. I used words I found in a newspaper (freedom of press) that I thought represented freedoms, like "home," "fun," "innovation," and glued them to the canvas that I had painted black. Over all of this I painted the word "FREE" in my favourite colour of blue. I left my canvas in the newest building at the University of Calgary because a wide variety of classes are held there, and lots of students wait for the bus there. One of the freedoms we have is our access to schooling. I want people to see my canvas take a moment to be grateful for the freedoms we have and appreciate them.

Loving Kesia's idea! Well done, Kesia!

Canvas #140: Art Gallery of Calgary / Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Catherine has created such a lovely piece for the project, and left it in such a cool place, too!

Catherine writes, I am an educator at a contemporary gallery in Calgary (The AGC), and we were hosting a Family Fun day where kids would be coming in with their guardians to draw their ideal Halloween costumes.  I placed the canvas on the table along with some children's Halloween books and all sorts of art materials. 

I was inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead Masks.  I wanted to show that even past the point of living on Earth that there are still things that live on--Love for example!  Although it was a bit morbid to choose Death Masks, I thought that in the spirit of Halloween, that this would be a recognizable symbol of things that live beyond death.  "Love is Eternal" is hopefully a message that resonates with many as something positive and inspirational.

Later I placed the canvas in the mouth of the Lion at the gates of the Calgary Chinese Cultural Center but unfortunately I haven't seen anything on the website of it being found...yet!

All the imagery and symbolism in Catherine's piece is great, isn't it? And how awesome is it that Catherine left it at her gallery for kids to see?

Canvas #204: the old court house, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Erin is an art teacher in Red Deer who created this beautiful bird art for the project.

In Erin's words, I learned about your project from the mom of a little girl that was in my 4 to 6 year old art class, and thought it sounded like fun! I left my piece of art outside of the Old Court House in downtown Red Deer, where I teach art classes out of. It was gone within an hour! I hope he flew away to a good home.

I hope so, too Erin! Incidentally, if you're stopping by here because you found Erin's canvas, please drop us a line! We'd love to hear your story!

Canvas #3: a Free People store, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I am so happy this is our first post of 2013! Miranda is one of my former students who is now in college for graphic design and arts, which definitely suits her creative nature. She's one of those people you remember years after you met her - she's funny, quirky, wise beyond her years, an incredible writer, and a beautiful artist. I am so lucky I get to keep tabs on her on Facebook years after she stopped being my student. :)

Miranda's canvas sends a simple but effective message.

Here's what Miranda says: I snuck this canvas onto the reception desk of 'Free People', and I hope the people who shop there can appreciate the message!

Speaking of Facebook, don't forget to follow The BCP on Facebook (or follow my personal Twitter, where posts will also be announced) to get a reminder when a new post comes up on the site.

Canvas #183: an electrical box, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Another poppy! Alex painted this Georgia O'Keefe-esque poppy. Isn't it lovely?

She says, I said “goodbye” to my canvas on an electrical box in SW Edmonton on Dec. 9th. 

Canvas #177: a park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Sandy is a beautiful artist who's been re-experimenting with her creative side in the past few months.

She said, I have much to share with you about this process. The act of painting my canvas took several days as I had to wait for drying between layers, which in some ways is metaphorical when I think about spreading beauty and positivity around the world. I knew that I wanted there to be depth because I think beauty and positivity run deep within people. I believe that people are inherently beautiful, kind and compassionate, however sometimes it requires the uncovering of several layers. I knew I wanted to create an artwork that was about tiny glimmers of hope intermingled with wide open windows.

The location I chose to leave my canvas is at a playground just blocks away from my home in Calgary. I took my canvas out while I was running errands in hopes that I would find the perfect spot. As I drove by the playground I was struck by the blue and red equipment against the backdrop of snow and grey sky. The blue of the slide so closely resembled the top layer of my painting and the yellow peaking through like the sun so I placed it on the steps leading up to the slide. I am apprehensive about whether or not it made it through the snow fall today, or maybe someone found it last night. I can only hope. : )

What an interesting design! I love Sandy's canvas. She's told me, since she placed her canvas, that she revisited the spot she left it, and found it buried in the snow. She thinks she'll place it somewhere else and see what happens.

Canvas #40: Rec Centre, Leduc, Alberta, Canada

Bridget made this seriously cool canvas!

How'd she do that?! Does the door actually open or is it a neat visual effect?

Bridget says, I put this at the Leduc Rec Centre by the big fireplaces. Hopefully it will give some inspiration to someone looking for a warm spot to relax and reflect.

Thanks for participating, Bridget!

Canvas #137: Mojo's Pub, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

Sarah made this beauty:

Sarah says, I left the canvas at a pub in Lethbridge, Alberta called Mojo's. We had dinner there and I left it on the table when we left. I hope our waitress or whoever found it likes it.

Wouldn't you love to see it there if you were a waitress? What a beautiful way to brighten someone's day!

Canvas #5: Safeway, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada

Like many, Dale struggled with what to put on her canvas. She says, I had a hard time starting my canvas. I wasn't sure what I had to share. I started daydreaming and then it came to me...I can share my happy place...and so I did!

I placed it in our local Safeway to provide a little sunshine (note the Sunny Boy cereal - a local product!) in someone else's day. Grocery shopping is an everyday mundane chore but you can go traveling even there.

I love the mixed media details in Dale's beach!

Canvas #36: a library, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Molly made this gorgeous canvas as a reminder to the students at the university where she works.

Molly says, I left it at work this evening - sitting on a table in the U of C Library link, near the top of the escalator, where students often relax, hang out with their friends, wait to meet someone or have a nap.

It took me a while to commit to a message.  At first I wanted to say "the truth will set you free" but decided it was too personal and maybe not quite positive.  The message I settled on will be, I hope, inspiring and reassuring at the same time.  Leaving it for students to see is personal - the message is an anthem from my youthful student days.

Now that its finally completed, I feel like doing a series to leave in public places.  I wonder if this is what graffiti artists feel.

I've been thinking about the comparison to a graffiti artist, too, Molly. I think the comparison is quite apt! I certainly felt a bit of a rush when I left mine in public. And I wondered how people would respond to my art, which I'm sure street artists wonder too.

I sure hope a student who needs a pick-me-up finds the canvas at just the right time.

Canvas #139: a gym locker, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Won't someone be surprised when they find Jenn's lovely canvas in a gym locker!

Jenn says, My canvas is just a collage of inspiring and encouraging words. I chose to leave my canvas in a locker in the change room at my gym. I feel like everyone who is at the gym has their own goals and reasons for being there. But I also feel that people can be too hard on themselves at times. I wanted to make someone realize how beautiful they already are!

What an amazing message, Jenn!

Canvas #118: a tree, Coronation Park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

It's cold and snowy in Calgary these days. Elaine's canvas's message sure comes at a good time! Elaine is the last of the four team-builders who painted canvas at their office.

Look at it perched there in that tree!

Elaine's encouragement to think spring is such a great reminder! She says, since it is snowy and cold in Calgary right now we hope who ever finds this canvas will have warm thoughts of spring.

Love it, Elaine!

Here's the four canvases together one last time:

Canvas #143: a bench in Confederation Park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Here's the third in the series of canvases painted as a team-building activity at work. This one was painted by Jen.

Jen's painting includes a red heart over green swirls and abstract patterns. Isn't it awesome!?

 Jen said, Since it is snowy and cold in Calgary right now we hope that someone will need a rest and see this canvas.    

And here are the four canvases all together for the last time:

Canvas #31: a bridge in Confederation Park, Calgary, Alberta

Here's the second of our series from the team-building exercise Jen, Laura, Jen, and Elaine did at their office.

Here's Jen's canvas:

Look at this happy little dude! I wonder what the caveman is all about?

Jen said, since it is snowy and cold in Calgary right now we hope who ever finds this canvas be warmed up by how bright and cheerful it is. 

I don't see how anyone could not be cheered up if they saw this!