Sylvia's Studio and Stories

I have spent the last few weeks inside my snail shell, replenishing and discovering the pearlescence inside. It’s where I can sift out and coalesce all the swirling thoughts that come with my active brain.

I had recently returned from a trip to Vernon and was struck by all the memories on the drive out there and all the inspiration I felt on the way back. I was in need of time to process.

My thoughts led me back to an art therapy session I had in my twenties where I discovered two sides to myself. The snail: wants to hide from the world and put up a wall of protection; self isolate; loves to rearrange; prune; garden; paint and binge tv. Then there’s the peacock : wants to be social and collaborative; perform onstage ; tell stories ; do workshops ; visit friends.

The purpose of my trip was to camp(snail) and attend a Theatre Festival (peacock) in Vernon. I had a lakefront spot booked at Swan Lake. It was only 10 min from the Theatre Festival and had all the needs for my snail self. When I arrived I first saw the negative- crowded side by side sites, right beside another camper, washroom was a bit of a walk and there were lots of ducks in the water (duck itch potential for the swimmer in me) but . . . it had the perfect couple of willow trees to support my hammock, and the neighbors turned out to be theatre people. Turns out that a crowded campground is a great source for jump starts when your battery is dying, which happened three mornings in a row! Yes I have a new battery now.

My entire theatre group[ ( Mercury Players) had booked a B&B in town. My social peacock side flourished with them, attending workshops together and drinks and snacks to debrief after the performances. I truly love this festival as a place to connect and let my creative social self thrive. I had booked the campsite before knowing that our group would be entered in the festival. But I was glad to have some time away from my flock to restore and refuel under the willow near the lapping waves.

One morning I was sipping tea by the lake, watching ducks and a turtle in the water. I had seen a production by my former Theatre Group, Williams Lake Studio Theatre called Escaped Alone. The topics of the play were disturbing and pulled up many emotions. I was plunged into memories of Williams Lake and the difficult time I had at Scout Island Nature Kindergarten. I processed these thoughts in the sanctuary of an idyllic place ( Watch for the painting and story to come soon). Then . . . I happened to looked up. Directly above me in the large Cottonwood Tree was a Bald Eagle. It was as if s/he was looking out for me as I contemplated.

After my time at home, I worked through some ideas I have and want to share these thoughts with you.

I believe people deserve the peace of mind to see both the details and the big picture at the same time, to truly hear each other, and to let their real selves shine. But we’ve been told that being busy means being worthy and digital connection is drowning out the natural world that could restore us. That’s why I want to remind people that we need to take the time to restore and refuel ourselves with the stillness and compassion of a snail, in grounded moments with the natural world… because that’s where the peacock truly shines.

My hope is to continue these connections with you and offer ways to make this happen together with art, storytelling and adventures in the natural world.