Our speaker this month is Vancouver Island photographer, Chris Istace.

Freelance writer & photographer as well as community leader who calls the Cowichan Valley home. Through written and visual storytelling he strives to inspire others to be mindful of themselves and to embrace ecological wisdom. His photography specializes primarily outdoor pursuits such as hiking, climbing and mountain biking and the beautiful landscapes those activities take place.

Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/stasher_bc/

Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/MindfulExplorer/

Website is www.ChrisIstace.com 

We will be showing our favourites, field trip outing and the monthly assignment.

Bring your loonie for a coffee.

loonie for coffee

(disclaimer – the photo used is from the internet not me)

Top Bridge is complete with a suspension bridge, water view and the fantastic ragged rocks make for great photos. For those of you who like taking impromptu photo pics there may be swimmers giving you a wonderful opportunity

If you have any questions during the event see Barb Hooper

Directions;

Take the old highway (19A south) Do NOT turn to go to Nanaimo but go straight ahead onto Kaye RD. Turn right onto Chattle RD- go past the gun club… the road turns to gravel. Follow this road to the end. There is a large parking lot and the suspension bridge is right there.

Lunch will be at Boston Pizza in Parksville

430 East Island Highway- Parksville

Our speaker this month is Qualicum Beach photographer, Joan Larson.

Joan’s original passion for horses led to her interest in art
and she has never stopped to look back.

Joan has an extensive CV chronicling 25 years of
professional achievements which include international
shows, awards and documentaries. However it is the
present and future that hold her attention. Her recent
ground breaking series of artworks honouring the RCMP
Musical Ride has been used for exhibitions supporting
non-profit organizations. This was followed by a series
based on her trips to remote and restricted Sable Island to
paint it most famous denizens, the wild horses. Next on
her radar is a series of paintings based on “Life at the Race
Track.”

Joan is a Senior member of the Federation of Canadian
Artists (SFCA), a full member of the American Academy
of Equine Artists (AAEA) and holds the Premier Pastelist
designation with the Pastel Society of Canada (PPC).

Joan and her husband Paul Smith own and operate
Creekside Studio from their acreage in the rural area of
Coombs where they live with their family and assorted
animals, including horses . . . which Joan states “are simply
necessary.”

Website is www.joanlarson.com

We will be showing our favourites, field trip outing and the monthly assignment.

Bring your loonie for a coffee.

loonie for coffee

This month is going to be so much fun. We are heading up island to Union Bay. There are several historic buildings including the oldest wooden post office and yes it will be open for us to go inside.
The old school and church plus the museum house next to the post office. We can also visit Sea Change art studio that has many very unique items inside and outside. There is a marina boat launch area across the street, antique trucks and so much more.

Lunch will be at the Highwayman Grill and Saloon in which is also another photo op as well as great food.

Mark your calendars today – you won’t want to miss it.

**meeting spot will be by the church

cover photo is a stock photo

Our speaker this month is Nanaimo photographer, Andrea Black of ‘Chasing Whimsy‘.

You can find Andrea’s bio at Chasing Whimsy

Her full website can be found at https://www.chasingwhimsyphoto.com/

We will be showing our favourites, field trip outing, and the monthly assignment.

Bring your loonie for a coffee.

loonie for coffee

Step back in time and join us as we walk through the  rich history of the McLean Mill National Historic Site.  The train is no longer running but there is still so much to see there.  We will be walking through the historic village and heritage houses.  Though not running we can still see the  so much of the equipment that was used.

Lunch will be at 12:15 at the Alberni Golf Club    6449 Cherry Creek Road, Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada V9Y 8T3 | 250-723-5422

Vegetarian options are available

Our speaker this month is Courtenay photographer, Boomer Jerritt. His presentation on his Antarctic travels is not to be missed.

Boomer’s biography can be found at Strathcona Photography

His full website can be found at https://strathconaphotography.com/ 

As usual we will display our favourites, field trip outing, and the monthly assignment.

Bring your loonie for a coffee.

loonie for coffee

Our speaker this month is Nanaimo photographer, Tim McGrath and ‘Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen‘.

Tim’s biography and information can be found at ITS-PHOTOGRAPHY.CA

As usual we will display our favourites, field trip outing, and the monthly assignment.

Bring your loonie for a coffee.

loonie for coffee

For the field trip we are going to leave our island and join up with the  Gabriola Photo Club to explore Gabriola Island.  For those of you who would like to we can walk on the ferry and meet up with our host on the other side. Others who want to drive are able to do that and once off the ferry can and follow one of our host cars.   They are going to take us to the beaches and do a circle route of the island.  We would like to have lunch or a snack on a beach (weather permitting) – bring your own snacks.  Lunch will be between 3- 5 and then back on the 5;50 pm ferry

I would suggest that we car pool to the ferry for easier parking.  I am trying to get London drugs to give us some of their spots so they don’t object to  us spending the day.

Lunch will be confirmed later – it will either be at one of two restaurants on Gabriola or we will chip in $5.00 each and one of our hosts has offered to provide the food at her home

This event will be rain or shine so watch the weather.  You may want to bring rain gear

The costs will include: walk on ferry= 9.70 each way  Total 19.40

Car if you want to take your own  = 22.70

Lunch if not in a restaurant = 5.oo

I think this should be lots of fun

Photo is from the Milner Garden website

Our next field trip is going to be a little different and will be in the evening.  We will be going to the family festival of lights and music in Milner Gardens on Sunday Dec 15th.  The time with Oceanside Photographers will be from 5pm til 6:30pm  but you are welcome to stay longer.  The grounds close at 8:30.  You can walk through the trails that have lots of lights on them.  If you want to go inside there is the Teddy Bear Cottage, the gift shop and the tea room each with their own specialty.  There is Santa’s den but I am not sure if that is inside or out.

The cost for this event is by donation but they suggest $5.00

Bring your tripods and enjoy some incredible Christmas lights.

This should be a fun time with some very beautiful lights