Craft Paddling in Lake Louise & Banff

Personalized Paddles

I live in a postcard. I live in Banff National Park, a town that only has 8,244 people, but that hosts 5 million visitors each year. Banff is a small town (although I have lived in a towns of 225 people and 1,000 people, so it isn't really THAT small) that is also very cosmopolitan. I love living here, as an artist there are many opportunities to connect with locals and visitors alike, through teaching classes, participating in festivals and special events, as well as by showing my work in exhibitions. This summer I was given the opportunity to have an ongoing arts & crafts gig with Banff Heritage Tourism. John Bowden, the director of BHT, originally asked my friend, prolific artist and children's book author, Max Elliott, who was in the middle of some projects, and who recommended me (thanks, Max!). John worked with the Banff High School shop class to have miniature paddles made that kids and adults alike have had the opportunity to paint, collage, and draw on, while enjoying Banff. So far, I have helped out on three different dates, with one more to come. If you are in Banff this Saturday, October 1st, we will be outside the Banff Park Museum from noon to 4 PM, as part of the Alberta Arts Days Weekend.

My kiddos at Lake Louise

My most recent date was a couple of weeks ago in Lake Louise. I really enjoy any chance I have to spend time in this beautiful place. Like Banff, it is so rich in history, and so many people that I know, including my father as a boy, have been to this place. We stay in Lake Louise every November during the Men's Work Cup Downhill, but had not been there since then. Andre brought our kids out to meet up with me, and to take in an aboriginal performance happening in tandem with the paddle painting. All in all, a wonderful day in Banff National Park. 

Touching the Lake

Below you will see a little photo essay on the paddle painting fun...

PS I would like to thank Adrienne Lawlor, and Maya and Liam Baylis for helping me out of a jam during one of the paddle painting dates. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!!

My Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Nothing like picking up this beautiful girl at the bus stop, then walking home amongst the raindrops & the golden leaves... makes an otherwise cold and grey day much more tolerable... 

Capture the Colour of Fall Exhibition at the Whyte Museum

Bankhead #2 by Tiffany Teske Original Fuji Emulsion Lifts approx. 3x8", matted & framed 8x10"

Fall is my favourite time of year. I smile when I see the yellow leaves blowing past my feet and when I hear them crunching underfoot. The fresh, crisp air makes me feel alive as I play outdoors with my kiddos. I have always enjoyed capturing fall with my camera so I was excited when I saw the Whyte Museums call for local art with an autumn theme. One of the places I love the most in Banff is the Whyte Museum. This area is steeped in history and there is so much to learn about it at the Whyte. They also regularly host juried shows that feature local artists. I currently have work in an exhibition in their Swiss Guides Room, as part of their Blossoms and Botanicals Show. The next show is, Capture the Colour of Fall, and I had three pieces selected from my submission. I delivered them today, as the wind blew the leaves from the trees. The show runs from October 1st to November 15th and the opening reception will be on October 1st from 1 - 4 PM. This opening coincides with Alberta Arts Days. I will be at the opening from 1 - 2 PM that day, if you would like to come by and say hi. And if you can't make it, the pieces are shown here... have a happy fall!

Golden Leaf by Tiffany Teske 

Original Fuji Emulsion Lift 

approx. 3x4", matted & framed 8x10"

Bankhead #1 by Tiffany Teske 

Original Fuji Emulsion Lifts

approx. 3x8", matted & framed 8x10"

The Next Craft Cafe - Wild About Buttons - Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Button Necklace by Tiffany Teske Button lovers... come on out to the Wild Flour Bakery (211 Bear Street, Banff) from 7 - 9 PM on Thursday, September 29th, to make unique handmade button necklaces. Participants will have the option to make additional projects like earrings or bracelets. Whatever time permits! The Wild Flour will be open for delicious snacks, and drinks. Cost: 20$ Please sign up and PAY at the Wild Flour or request a Paypal invoice by leaving a comment below. Space is limited. FACEBOOK is not registration. Spread the word and collect some buttons! Any vintage and wood buttons make beautiful necklaces. This is a great way to recycle We will also have some funky buttons for you to choose from. See you there! Bring a button loving friend, they will thank you...

Button Bracelet/Necklace by Tiffany Teske This is a button choker I made that was featured in the book, 1,000 Ideas for Creative ReUse by Garth Johnson. I will also show participants how to make this style, which is much different than the long necklace style in the photo above.

Button Choker by Tiffany Teske Do you make things with buttons? I would love to see... leave me a comment with a link!

End of the Season at Cascade Gardens

About two weeks ago my kiddos, our neighbour, Sue, & I took a walk into town. It was a beautiful Saturday, and while I usually have a ton on my plate, I had nothing that needed to be done. My hubby was finishing up a painting project in our garage, and needed the kids, who associate Daddy with bikes and play time if he is near the garage, out of his hair. We ambled to town, where a triathlon was finishing up. One of the things I like most about living in a National Park, is that there is always something going on. We walked to Shakes, to have one of our favourite things, Bubble Tea. If you have not had one, find somewhere to try one, NOW! I became addicted to them when I lived in Ottawa, and could get them on Somerset in Chinatown. On our walk back home, we stopped at the Cascade Gardens, which provide a lovely little shortcut to our house. The Gardens were amazing, and I kicked myself for normally walking the other way to town. How could I have been missing all of these beautiful poppies and African daisies? As tourists snapped away, so did I. And I felt grateful, once again, to live in such an amazing place, and happy that we walked through the gardens before the frosty mornings got to the flowers.

Three Artists on a Day Trip - High River & Nanton, Alberta - Part Two

If you missed Part One you can read it here....

Self Portrait in antique store, Nanton

After Dea, Millie, and I left High River, we headed to Nanton. Dea is working on an artists book, and the images that inspired it, were from Nanton. She had originally wanted to make collage using the images, but decided there was enough of a story line to warrant a book. And since she now NEEDED more photos for her book, and since one of my hobbies is collecting old images of other peoples' families, I begged to go along.

Ghost from the past.

The hands of time have stopped...

I heart cigar boxes...

Oh yes, another self portrait

Millie & I

Every orphaned typewriter I see, I want to take home...

Dea & Millie at the Tumbleweed Cafe

Oh, I am SURE we will!

Ladybugs were everywhere at Annie's in High River, we ended up with a stow away....

Dea did find her photos and letters. I found some as well. And some more silverware for my spoon assemblages, a few books, some buttons, and a charming little camera, all to be shared another day.... 

 Where is your favourite place to hunt for treasures?

Three Artists on a Day Trip - High River & Nanton, Alberta - Part One

Last Sunday, my wonderful hubby stayed home with our kiddos while I went on a highly anticipated day trip with my dear friend, Dea Fischer, and her amazing daughter, Millie Rose. None of us are morning people, so it is nice that nothing was open at our final destination until noon. We rolled out of Canmore in Dea's jeep, our first stop: High River...

When you get three artists into a car, with nothing to do but look at the scenery and chat, of course we talk about art. Actually, I think we talk about art everywhere... anyway, it was a real treat to get to talk with Dea about our separate and joint ventures. We both always have something on the go, and it is nice to hear about what the other is up to. We just completed joint and single submissions to the 2012 CREATE in California and are working on a book proposal...

After about 2 hours, maybe it was less, we arrived in the beautiful little town of High River. The gorgeous little houses struck me right away. I live in a completely over priced condo/town house in Banff. I get house envy when I go to small towns like this because I know I could have a huge house with a huge yard and garden if I lived anywhere other than Banff. But, of course, not many people have the privilege I do, being able to actually live in a National Park, so I accept and love our little abode in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. But, the artist in me dreams of a more picturesque home, instead of a cookie cutter one... oh well.

Our mission in High River was to visit our friend, artist and owner of Art and Soul Gallery, Annie Froese. I met her while giving artist demonstrations at Canmore's ArtsPeak Arts Festival earlier this year. She and her friend, Larissa Mclean, were sharing a studio in the same area I was, as part of The Edge Gallery's, leg of the art tour. They are both colourful, beautiful women, who make colourful, beautiful art. We traded work and contact info and promised to see each other again. I bumped into Larissa at the Canmore Mountain Market a couple of weeks ago, by surprise. I am glad I did because she was not able to be there to meet us. Annie, invited us to come to her gallery for a little show and tell of our work.

As we were looking for Art & Soul, Dea noticed some beautiful geraniums along the sidewalk, and exclaimed, "That must be it!". She was right. Both Annie & Larissa are synonymous with flowers, in my mind. We parked the car and headed to the back of the gallery where Annie's garden and her studio is. Both are so lovely!!

We spent a couple of hours enjoying the gardens, exploring the gallery, drooling over Annie's studio space, eating lemon meringue pie, photographing one another, show and telling our latest work, and making plans for future visits. Dea & I would love to teach classes at Annie's one weekend, and to play with Annie in art making as well.

Here are some photos of the fun we had... you will notice a couple of photos of ladybugs. They were everywhere and an element of the trip that I will always remember...

Part Two will continue our fun with photos and tales from Nanton...