Romance by the seaside brings new creative inspiration
The Yellow Point Lodge is where my husband and I have gone every June for the last 21 years to celebrate our love. It’s only 25 min from our house but it’s a world away. Driving down the lodge’s long forest-draped driveway instantly washes away all our cares. There are no phones, no TVs, no worries. The lodge’s Moto is “Eat, sleep, read” and we do. We’ve even made a music video in that theme (but thats another story for another time). We pass our time using the complimentary bikes, kayaks, tennis courts, hot tub and pool, board games and instruments—the place is full of old-timey fun.
Located on the east side of Vancouver Island, the lodge has a 180 degree view of the Georgia Straight and surrounding Gulf Islands. Yaughts, tug boats and pleasure crafts cruise leisurely by. There’s always seals and pods of Orcas playing in the water mere steps from the shoreline. Our beachside cabin is modest and quaint. Simply a bed, side table, wood stove and closet. But the real draw to staying in the beach cabin is that it is no more than 15 feet from high tide. When sleeping, it sounds like the surf is lapping right lap our cabin! Many a night I would wake on purpose, just to watch the moon dance on the swaying ocean.
Most come to celebrate an anniversary like us. Everyone pre-reserves for the following year, same time, same place. This place is too special to let your reservation lag. Because of this, a community has been built. We have made life-long friends here. We all return to catch up on a years worth of life stories and experiences. We have laughed and cried with each other. Its no surprise, after attending for 21 years, we arrive to find out that some of the guests have passed away in our year between visits, signified by a memorial photo on the entry table. Sad but that’s part of living isn’t it?
Last June was the first time I ever took art supplies there. I’m not a morning person but I was surprisingly motivated one morning, waking just before sunrise. I walked along the beach observing the magical morning light and the quiet ocean sounds. Sandpiper birds danced along the shore. The water was glass-like, calm and smooth—a rare west coast event. I took reference photos, knowing that I needed to record and translate such a perfect moment. I can’t say that I believe in any higher power but there was something magical that occurred that morning. Not something I can put aptly into words but more of a feeling, like goosebumps in my soul. A shift in my being. Creative inspiration of the highest level. That was the start of something special - a creative journey I’ve been waiting to walk my entire life. That morning was the beginning of THE REFLECTION COLLECTION. I went back to the cabin and started to paint. Every painting since then has been way for me to revisit the magic I felt that morning. This new Collection is a lifetime of observation made up from the quiet moments, moments of being present and awake. Seven paintings and three studies make up this body of paintings. If you’re inspired, click on the ORIGINALS tab to view the ones that remain.
Thanks for listening and being on this journey with me. xo Ronei.
