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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #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!

Canvas #133: a washroom in Confederation park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Jen, Laura, Jen, and Elaine all painted canvases as a team-building activity in their office. Here's all their canvases together, one last time:

What a great team-building exercise, hey? We'll be revealing each canvas over the next couple of days.

Laura made this lovely reminder of joy and left it in a public washroom in Coronation Park in Calgary. Doesn't it look great up against that beautiful wall mural?

 

 Laura 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 the texture and the sweet vase of flowers.

Happy in its wee corner.

Canvas # 34, Starbucks, Calgary, Alberta, Canad

Marcie sent a simple but profound message via her canvas.

In Marcie's words: When I got the canvas in the mail, I wanted to send a message out that I felt would be meaningful for others.  I wanted to let anyone who found it know that they are important.  I wonder if sometimes people might question their value in this vast world of ours.  I believe that everyone is important and has something valuable to contribute to those around them, whether they recognize it or not.  So, that is why I chose this message...to remind people that they are valuable...are of great importance...and make meaningful contributions to others.

I left it at a Starbucks close to my home.  I often stop there in the mornings or hold meetings there so it seemed like a good place to leave my canvas.  When I returned to the Starbucks two days later, I noticed that the canvas was no longer there.  I hope it has found a happy home.  

I don't doubt that it HAS found a great home!

Canvases #128, 129, and 130, a freight elevator, a hockey rink, and TBA, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Jason and his two kids, Josh, and Jacob, all decided to participate in the Blank Canvas Project. I love Jason's reason for participating:

I decided to participate to help teach my children about positivity and inspiring others.  The idea behind my canvas was simple in order to illustrate to my children that something does not need to be artistically technical in order to inspire.  I was impressed how my kids embraced the idea after initially being hesitant about giving away their art work.

I left my canvas in the freight elevator at work.  I chose this because this is the space where the cleaning staff would most likely to find it.

The boys with their dad's painting.

Josh created this project on his own at the kitchen table and was inspired by his Dad's canvas.  While carrying it across the house in order to show his Mom, he dropped it and it fell face down on the ground.  After picking it up and examining his work, he was pleasantly surprised to see how the fall had positively transformed his piece of art. "Mom, look! Now it looks like there are leaves on it!"

Josh decided to leave his canvas at the hockey rink.

Jacob did his art as a finger painting, which is unlike his brother or father who used brushes.  Jacob is a thinker and is still trying to decide where he should leave his art.  We will update you once his canvas has found a home :)

Here's all three canvases, hanging out together:

I love how all three are similar but clearly different. Here's to dads teaching their kids that creativity is important!

Canvas #126: a park, Evergreen, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

This project is meant to bring communities together. So I decided to put my canvas in my community. One of the things I love about my neighbourhood is it's right on the South-West edge of this big city. In ten minutes, I was in the country. Look:

This evening, I walked over to a park nearby. I wanted to leave my canvas in a place where people convene, so this was perfect. Kids come here to play.

My canvas is a painting of clouds. Alberta in the fall is so beautiful. The sky is Alberta's biggest asset, I think. It's huge and blue and gorgeous. And I think that so often, people don't notice it. Because it's always there. Because we take advantage of the fact that it will always be there.

I hope my canvas inspires people to notice what's around them. On my walk home from the park, I noticed a pretty wreath on a neighbour's door. I glanced into a window on my way past, and saw two kids sprawled on the couch, watching TV. I saw a pretty cat, perching on a fence post.

Notice. Pause. Stop. Slow down. Your life will be so much richer for it.