Canvas #48: Strathcona Public Library, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Kristen made this lovely jeweled owl!

Kristen says, I created this "Bejeweled Owl" because I felt it was something that would make people smile.  I thought for a long time about different messages to write on this canvas, but in the end just decided to create something beautiful - a picture is worth a thousand words, right?

I chose to leave my canvas at the Strathcona Public Library in Edmonton.  I placed it outside the door so that anyone walking in to the building would definitely see my little owl.  I love the library and spend a lot of time there... I just feel it is a beautifully intellectual place that deserves some artwork to brighten it up a bit more on the surface.

You know what I love about this project? All the different interpretations of what "positive" means.

Canvas #17, Lake Agnes hiking trail, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

This is my canvas. I left it on the Lake Agnes trail in Lake Louise on the way up to the Teahouse. It belongs in the open air where is so natural to take in a deep breath. It's a bit tough to see, but it says "Breath it all in. Love it all out." and has a red glittery heart. Why? Because above all things I believe in love. And I don't mean romantic love between two women, two men, a man and a woman or any such variation, I mean that feeling in your gut. The one that you feel when you see one human treat another with tenderness, compassion, empathy. The one you feel when you see two people embrace at the arrivals gate at the airport. The one that you feel when you see someone pick up a stray kitten and give it some milk. That's what I mean by love. And this world lacks that reminder on a daily basis. We get caught up with being busy, and competitive, and making money, and producing hate.

This is my simple reminder to the world to take a moment to slow down and love.