gaiavisiondesign

The yellow areas are highlighted a little bit before the next layer….

Starting now, I will be tracking the progress of the China Steps Mural, a project made possible through funding from the City of Nanaimo Temp. Public Art grant, the Nanaimo Heritage Commission, and the DNBIA.

The piece is an historic mural inspired by traditional Chinese art representing Nanaimo’s third Chinatown, framed by the coastal landscape. It is informed by photographs, footage, Chinese painting, and my­thology, with one animal for each direction: Black Tortoise (North), Azure Dragon (East), Vermil­lion Bird (South), and White Tiger (West). The September 1960 Fire is depicted by the red bird and residents shown with suitcases. The White Tiger and the buildings acknowledge the Chinese business community. The Street scene includes the “Pine & Hecate” street sign indicating the origi­nal location of Chinatown in Nanaimo, a lion dance, and a few onlookers, all from historic photos courtesy of Nanaimo Community Archives.

The presence of this mural will bring much-needed colour and heritage to a unique site of interest. The site was enhanced by Nadine when she painted a mandala mural in similar colours for the Thirsty Camel Café (photo) – on the wall behind the cob bench, which directly faces the site for the new mural.

The final size of the piece will be 8′ H x 12′ W, consisting of 3 pieces of professional sign board, with a hidden timber frame on the back. Right now it is being prepared for painting, getting 2 coats of white primer before being assembled for layout and painting.

The piece will be installed April 30, in time for Public Art Week May 1-7! Very exciting process – keep up with me as I post my progress!

The vision for a cooperative, sustainable future must be held despite what is happening around us. I am able to hold onto that through art, design, community events, and connections with like-minded people, who become friends.

GaiaVision Design is my first real business venture, and I am excited to be self-employed. I considered doing so a few years ago, but got no farther than the initial idea. Then, in 2011, I was fortunate to stumble upon Business Works SE program. I qualified b/c of Mat leave in 2010. Here was the opportunity I needed to learn how to run a successful home-based business, while receiving coaching and financial support in the first year. I knew how to do what I was offering (art and design, marketing, publicity), yet was missing the financial knowledge. After an intense 10-day Business Plan Boot Camp Dec. 5-16, 2011, I entered Phase 1 of the program, did more research, was “adjudicated” and approved by a committee, and accepted into Phase 2 – “in business.”

The program is actually ending on March 31, as the contract is renewed, and a new employment company takes over. Unfortunately, there will no longer be a self-employment “program” such as Business Works offers; there will simply be self-employment services. So, I feel very lucky to have been in that last group of participants!