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!

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!