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Back Bloggin ...on Art, Snow and Injury

                                   

     

 3 years later & back on

...The Blog-

 Vanessa Stark

on ART...

Things have been rolling forward nicely in my painting and art making world. 

 A number of great things have happened since I blogged last... (3 years ago)

These include:
-designing Whistler Blackcomb's limited edition ski graphic, winning Whistler's annual "Paint-Off", being one of the winners in Prior Skis and Snowboard's graphic contest, having a featured story on Go! Sea to Sky, being voted Pemberton B.C.'s 2013 favourite artist, having a feature in Zoya Lynch's winning entry "Winter Canvas" in the 2014's Whistler/Blackcomb Arc'teryx Winter Photo Challenge, designing Grassroots Powdersurfing Pow Board 2014 graphic, being featured in Mountain Life Magazine, creating the paintings for the cover of the Mt. Washington B.C. Resort flyer and Mountain Sledder Magazine as well as various other projects, 3D chalk art creations, a bunch of fun and successful art shows, lots of Whistler Farmers Markets and craft shows, live paintings, commissions, logos and 

of course a good dose of sleep deprivation.

 This is the piece I painted to be used as the graphic on the limited edition WB Prior Skis

http://youtu.be/SgMLm5UIrW4

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=566024036812662&set=vb.100002152132124&type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=501275223323613&set=a.253335811450890.55504.252330201551451&type=1&theater

http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/local-art-on-charity-skis/Content?oid=2442994

http://flipmag.mountainlifemag.ca/cm/2013-fall-winter/#74

http://vimeo.com/84521553

on SNOW...

  Snowboarding is a huge part of my life. It has basically shaped my entire existence. It lives in my soul and works as a perfect balance to my artistic nature and endeavours.

 Here I am stale fishing to pow in-bounds on Whistler mountain- pic by Dagan Beach Photography

on INJURY...

  My willingness to sit and spend the time to blog is partially due to the fact that I'm unable to partake in the endless slashing and bashing of the powder glory that is and has been going on in our hills...since I got hurt almost a month ago. 

   Injuries fell upon me (or I fell upon them...I guess) 3 and a half weeks ago... first run on my birthday Feb 7th- A memorable birthday for sure. It seemed as though I was a sacrificial (for powder) lamb. Three days later, after the lowest snow year (on my 22 years here & riding Whistler/Blackcomb- record memory) it started snowing and hasn't stopped since.

  All things happen for a reason... so, I'm excited to see what this path diversion brings my way -it must be REALLY good because this has been a really, really, really tough one to swallow.

 The original injury diagnosis was a second degree separated shoulder and a sprained ankle… 3 or 4 weeks out- I was super bummed to miss a month but I thought I would still catch some March epic pow days and Spring slushy park action.

 It turns out I had actually torn the connective tissue(flexor retinaculum) that holds down the posterior tibial tendon on the inside of my ankle.   It's an un-common and highly misdiagnosed injury that requires reconstructive surgery.  It also turns out the surgery wait is basically 5-16 months. Learning that yesterday felt like a karate kick to the gut. 

 Yes, I love my life and love where I live. I feel so fortunate in so many ways daily.  I'm glad my injuries weren't more serious after the violent impact. I'm extremely glad I was wearing a helmet(I just started wearing one this year). I am also no stranger to injury. After 22 years on my board and 14 on my bike, there's been 12 plus fractures, a torn ACL, meniscus, plenty of stitches, 6 surgeries, sprains, strains, lumps, bumps and the usual shred life whatnots- This was actually my first serious injury in over 5 years...so I suppose I was due... but really Universe- you throw me down- then throw down the fattest flakes EVER for two and a half weeks!!!
yep. 

  

 My balance is feeling a little out of whack for sure…but I know I'll heal, learn something new and this new path will lead me somewhere extra great. 

  

                In my party hat where I spent most of my birthday this year.

on CONCLUSION...

The pow will be back… chin up and paint brush down :)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vanessa-Stark-ART/237375939645909?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/vanessastark.art

Winter's here!

Woke up this morning to this...
ahhhhhhhh so awesome!

In Your Dreams

    In Your Dreams art night is tonight at Millennium Place in Whistler.
                                         It should be a great time!                    
                                                        

Farmers Market July 3 2011

                                      The first weekend of July.

            

Still a great turn out.

                                                Happy Canada Day weekend!

Crafty By Nature

     Don't miss Crafty by Nature this Saturday at the Pemberton Community Center!

Farmers Market 2011

  
     The Whistler Farmers Market season is soon upon us.
The first market is only two weeks away, Sunday June 19th

State of The Art at the TWSSF in Whistler

  

The State of The Art is now showing in Whistler.

Some very cool work worth checking out.

 

                                                                                                      Andrea Mueller

                                                                                                     Lisa Kumoro

                                                                                                Stan Matwychuk

                                                                                                                Liks

                                                                                                       Dave Petko

 

                                                         Darren Camplin 

 

                                                                                                   MIA

                                                                                            Vanessa Stark                   

Banners In Pemberton

 
    My Sockeye banners are back on the streets of Pemberton

Japan Fundraiser

             I participated in a fundraiser for Japan at the Hilton in Whistler last night.
         Taka Sudo and I live painted and had our paintings auctioned off at the end of the night.
       

                                    Over $20,000 was raised. That will be matched by Scotia Bank.

North Shore Credit Union Show

     For the months of March and April I will have work on display at the North Shore credit Union in Whistler

Life Drawing

30 minute pose

Yesterday I attended a Life drawing class. It was my first time "life drawing" since I was 15.
It was a lot of fun!
The poses were 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and the final pose was 30 minutes.

10 minute pose

5 minute pose

30 second pose


There are classes at MY Millennium in Whistler twice a week.

Mountains Of Art

The annual Mountains Of Art Gala takes place tonight at the Big Sky Golf course in Pemberton.
The event takes place from 8pm until 1 am. I have a few pieces in the show along side a variety of other Sea To Sky artists.
There will be live music by Megatron and Soulsong as well as a Schramm vodka martini bar & gourmet appies.
Should be a fun time!

Show at Onatah

I will be showing a few of my pieces at Onatah Coffee Shop in Squamish B.C. for the months of February and March 2011.
Onatah Coffee(onatahcoffee.com) offers a unique blend of healthy, organic treats, specialty teas and organic matchas.
Stop by for a viewing and a delicious treat.

Prior Snowboard's Chalkboards