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 #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!

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

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

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 :)

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 #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!

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!!

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 #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!

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!!!

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!

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.

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!

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!