Image 9.5" x 13"

I had been concerned about the impact of oil tankers plying our pristine coastal waters for some time so when the invitation to participate in the “Canada’s Rain Coast at Risk: Art for an Oil Free Coast” Project came I couldn’t wait to be a part of it.  What a humbling, experience-of-a-lifetime this has been for me; to be a part of such an important project and contribute alongside many of BC’s best contemporary artists. It was an honour to visit the Kitasoo/ XaiXais people in their traditional territory and learn of their customs and centuries-old way of life. I choose sea otters as my subject because they represent community and family to me; they depend on each other and on the very kelp forests and waters that are at risk.  Pockets of their populations are finally returning after being decimated to near extinction.  We need to protect this valuable habitat not just for the sea otters or out of respect for our resilient first people but for all of our communities and families for generations to come.