> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://terrill-welch.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Something That Arises Of Itself — Terrill Welch by herself - issue #61 - URL: https://terrill-welch.ghost.io/something-that-arises-of-itself-terrill-welch-by-herself-issue-61/ - Published: 2026-11-13T13:17:15.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-13T13:54:52.000Z - Author: Terrill Welch - Tags: art, art gallery, artist Terrill Welch, art show, Canadian art, contempoary art, feature art, for the love of trees, landscape paintings, Mayne Island Every once in a while someone says something that resonates with me like what Joshua Smith, PhD, shared in his latest newsletter — “Making things well often feels less like imposing a plan and more like keeping up one half of a conversation.” This is what it is like when I am making ***with*** nature. Smith was explaining the small sounds a Japanese listener makes when someone is speaking and how this provides a space for the speaker to know they are heard and to encourage them to lean into their conversation. Then he went on to describe how our subjects and materials are one half of a conversation and the artist, potter or photographer is the other. In my work, sometimes I am the listener and other times I am the speaker as I hold an intention for an idea in my nature-centric, reparative painting practice. I provided some links to Joshua Smith’s work in the previous issue so I won’t post them again here. I will say though that in the Shizan Style (shizan means nature, natural, and spontaneous): something that arises of itself, feels as “Close to Home” as I can get in my making practice. Tuesday was a day of steady and often heavy rain. I had three hours of respite care booked for the afternoon. My plan was to use some or all of this time for a longer slow hike on Saint John Point. I suspected it would be flat grey, extremely wet and slippery. But I grabbed my raincoat and just my iPhone camera and went anyway. **SMALL SOUNDS IN IMAGES FROM WALKING IN THE RAIN** My question I asked for this adventure was — What is this forest asking of me? I began with a first stop along the road beside the Glenwood Farm. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6540.jpeg) One maple leaf left on the branch by Terrill Welch The mist is hanging low and pulls the shapes of the trees prominently forward. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6548.jpeg) At the side of the road by Glenwood Farm by Terrill Welch The parking lot is empty when I arrive but I suspected as much and had left information with the respite care worker about where I was going just in case it became necessary. We have some good windstorms and a bright young piece of lichen caught my attention of the trail. What a gorgeous green! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6554.jpeg) Lichen on the trail by Terrill Welch The rain was like music tapping out a nature tune on the salal shrubs at the edge of the trail. I tried to keep my hat up but often just flip it back and ended up happy but wet from the top of my head to the tips of my feet. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6634.jpeg) Self portrait on Saint John Point trail by Terrill Welch I notice different elements of the forest in this kind of weather. The old arbutus decaying amongst the younger trees stand out on a wet grey day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6570.jpeg) Living amongst the dead by Terrill Welch I spend more time checking my footing than in dry weather. One wrong step can mean injury or at the very least a few good bruises. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6567.jpeg) Passage between the sandstone rocks by Terrill Welch Rain soaks the arbutus trunks and hangs in droplets underneath. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6572.jpeg) Arbutus tree swinging through the fir trees in the rain by Terrill Welch I search the droplets for upside down images. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6580.jpeg) Rain dripping off of an arbutus tree trunk by Terrill Welch. The water looks like flowing honey. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6583.jpeg) Water runs like liquid honey over the arbutus trunk by Terrill Welch. On Navy Channel, the view opens up towards Saturna Island. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6591.jpeg) Navy Channel in the November rain by Terrill Welch However, I am drawn back to the arbutus trees. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6605.jpeg) Peeling arbutus tree bark by Terrill Welch I have painted many of these trees before but still, I gather fresh references — just in case. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6611.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6600.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6621.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6628.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6636-1.jpeg) Those of you who have been following my work for any length of time will recognize these specific favourite arbutus trees. This day’s Saint John Point hike was 4 km, 6,800 steps and the equivalent of climbing 11 flights of stairs but one of these facts really speaks to the ruggedness or beauty of the trail. The best part is I woke up in the next morning feeling great with no sore hip or muscles. However, I should admit to walking regularly in our neighbourhood and doing strength training so that I can take on these longer hikes with ease when the opportunity presents itself. **SHARED FROM AN ART COLLECTOR** I received an email this week from an art collector with this image included. She had just picked up the painting from the framers. Here is an art collector’s framing of a recent painting they added to their collection. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_4820.jpeg) Framed Terrill Welch painting in an art collector’s home. I love how this classic frame fits with the character of this specific still life. The art collector had pulled the painting from the back row of a selection of work in my home art studio. Her eyes lit up and it was love at first glance. She knew exactly where she wanted to put it and it is someplace she will see it everyday. These are the kinds of meaningful connections my paintings make that I treasure. **FEATURING FELLOW MAYNE ISLAND ARTISTS** I have an extra special treat for us this week! During the Fall Studio Tour, I made a point of dropping in and visiting the studio of Jody Waldie who was sharing her space with Glenda King, Maeva Lightheart and Thomi Glover. Thomi wasn’t there when I went by but I did request a photo of Jody, Glenda and Maeva together. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6492.jpeg) From left to right is Jody Waldie, Glenda King and Maeva Lightheart by Terrill Welch One of Thomi’s paintings is on the top between the two windows on the right. Thomi is one of my longest Mayne Island friends and a great supporter of my artwork. During the past couple of years she has taken up painting herself and is loving it! Thomi is just getting started but I think we should keep an eye on her development in the future. Many of you will remember Jody, Glenda and Maeva from when I represented their work in the gallery. They have all three continued on with dedicated art practices. I want to shine a light in their direction for your viewing pleasure by sharing the link to either their online galleries or a painting below: *Jody Waldie was born on the West Coast of British Columbia, held firmly there by the roots of its natural beauty. She feels a strong visual, emotional and physical connection with the natural world and represents this for the viewer through her compositions.* *“It is my hope for the viewer to become inspired to look more closely at the world that surrounds them and to be guided toward a mind wandering journey, past the obvious, into a place of personal connection and impact.”* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_4643.jpeg) Image of Jody Waldie’s online gallery - link below… [https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/jody-waldie](https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/jody-waldie?ref=terrill-welch.ghost.io) *Maeva Lightheart grew up in Vancouver, graduating from the University of British Columbia. She taught ESL at Vancouver Community College for 25 years retiring in 2005\. She moved full time to Mayne Island in 2011\. She started painting in 2017 and has shown her work in Student Exhibitions and Arts Council shows.* *“I have been influenced by the beauty of the West Coast mountains and oceans. I am intrigued by the vibrant colours, nature and architectural features. I paint in a style that tends towards impressionism using oils on canvas.”* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_4644.jpeg) Image of Maeva Lightheart’s online gallery - link below… [https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/maeva-lightheart](https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/maeva-lightheart?ref=terrill-welch.ghost.io) Glenda is in the process of building a new website with an online gallery so I decided to share one of my favourite of her paintings with you that is currently available. *Glenda King has taken various in-person and online art courses, including through Vancouver Island School of Art, where she has taken an experimental approach from representational to abstract. Living on Mayne Island allows Glenda so many beautiful options, whether it be a seascape, landscape or wildlife and birds.* *“There is so much beauty and life surrounding me everyday that sometimes I just need to stop and paint it. My paintings are completed using my imagination, my own photography reference studies and notes as well as plein air when our West Coast weather allows. I continue to challenge myself with tackling different subject matters and methods.”* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6510.jpeg) The People’s Log by Glenda King, 24 x 30 inch oil on canvas. As mentioned earlier, Thomi Glover is an emerging artist and she also currently only has her work available in-person at this time. I again chose one of my favourite of her paintings to share with you that is currently available. *After living across Canada Thomi Glover found the West Coast and stayed. Her fondness for windy and watery landscapes is reflected in her paintings in acrylics and watercolours. She is particularly grateful for the inspiration and encouragement of Terrill Welch who she met here some time ago and whose paintings she has collected over the years.* *“ I consider myself a novice and I am absolutely thrilled when something ‘works’…what used to be my office is now thoroughly decorated in paint splashes!”* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6513.jpeg) Storm Passing Through by Thomi Glover, estimated to be an approximately 8 x 10 inch acrylic on linen board. If you are interested in either the painting by Glenda or Thomi, just send me an email at tawelch@shaw.ca and I will put you in touch with them directly. For Jody and Maeva’s paintings, inquire directly through each of their online galleries. And do go have a good browse of their work! It will definitely be worth the effort of clicking through for a more detailed browse. **HALFWAY THROUGH THE NOVEMBER SPECIAL SAVINGS** My November special offer is still happening for anyone who is interested. The specifics for the 10% and 20% savings can be found in the first November issue at: This week I am featuring a collection “Mayne Island Landscapes Small and Large” including 76 paintings, 32 of which are still available. You can either browse all 76 and keep an eye out for no small red dot 🔴 after the title and the year to know if a work is sold or available or you can sort it by “available” at the top right before you begin. Enjoy! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_4642.jpeg) Image of Mayne Island Landscapes small and large - link below… [https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/terrill-welch/collection/mayne-island-landscapes-small-and-large](https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/terrill-welch/collection/mayne-island-landscapes-small-and-large?ref=terrill-welch.ghost.io) **UNTIL NEXT TIME** You might have guessed by this point in this issue that I am fully recovered from the effort of completing my degree and I have found solid bottom and ongoing resilience in my energy again. It has taken me three and half months of leaving space each day to ask nothing of myself. This kind of tiredness has little to do with sleep and more to do with mental fatigue and needing a kind of rest that for me often includes walking in the woods or working in the garden or having a cup of tea while looking out the window from the chair in the studio. I do not lightly recommend doing a two year stretch like I just did because it does take a physical and mental toll on our whole system. However, if you feel, like I did (and do), that the risks are worth it, then make sure to build in as much recovery within the two years as possible and have a solid structured space for a few months of mental rest at the end of it… and then follow this plan for as long as it takes. It is the mental rest at the end that most people try to skip or cut short. Don’t do it. Resist your urge to dive right into the next big project or demanding commitment. Sit with the discomfort of “doing nothing”. It is not laziness but rather purposeful recovery. I am now confident, I have made it to the other side of that unrelenting fatigue of putting one foot in front of the other with my attention drilled down to focus on only what is next. I have intentionally done this many times in my life and though I have always been glad that I have, it isn’t without its risks. “After all, works of art are always the result of one’s having been in danger, of having gone through an experience all the way to the end, to where no one can go any further.” Rainer Marie Rilke, Letters on Cézanne, 1907. Artist Emily Carr understood this well. During a long session of painting studies she was hospitalized from exhaustion (the diagnosis was hysteria) at the East Anglian Sanatorium in England from January 12, 1903, to March 17, 1904\. Then later while studying in France in 1910-1911 she again became severely tired and spent time recovering in a spa in Sweden. I am thinking I might have gotten off easy with three and half months of recovery time. 😉 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/6d/fc6d57d1-84f5-451a-9c0b-d6622f52daa6/content/images/2026/11/IMG_6662.jpeg) Reef Bay on a warm winter November day by Terrill Welch I will now start to truly shape what is next as I continue my “Close to Home” series of exploration that often feels more like “closer to me”. I have pulled out John Daido Loori’s *The Zen of Creativity* and I am considering Joshou Smith’s six week course “The Japanese Art of Intentional Living” as a soft entrance into continuing my research-led making practice. I had wanted to go this direction during my degree program but was strongly encouraged to stay within a western theory and research framework. I listened to this advice and it was meaningful and offered fruitful discoveries. I have no regrets. Now, I feel strongly that I want to return to this vein of inquiry as it seems to fit best with my deep well of nature-centric, reparative making practice research. I hope you will continue to enjoy travelling with me as we begin another journey of discovery with nature in paint. Thank you as always for your ongoing interest and support. All the best as always, Terrill 👩‍🎨❤️🎨 [https://terrillwelchartist.com/online-art-gallery/](https://terrillwelchartist.com/online-art-gallery/?ref=terrill-welch.ghost.io)