22” x 28” Acrylic on canvas

On the banks of the Salmon River, and the base of Mt. H’kusam lays the quaint little villages of Sayward and Kelsey Bay. Not only are they the gateway to the North Island but to Johnstone Strait, to the Broughton Archipelago to the north and for the Hansen family the gateway to Port Neville. While most communities are completely unrecognizable from the good ol days, Sayward remains rooted in its rich history with logging still her backbone as it was over 100 years ago.

Over the course of my life ever since I was a baby I’ve spent a lot of time on boats at Kelsey Bay as we headed to Port Neville. Growing up Sayward, Kelsey Bay, and Johnstone Strait really shaped my personality, interests and love of the old time coast. I grew up dreaming of things like running a boom boat at the local log sort, making a living hand logging and living on a floathouse somewhere up the coast, living at our family homestead full time or even commercial fishing. 

There’s no significance to these two boats tied to the outside float at Kelsey Bay wharf. What I did find significant along with the vivid sunrise is the way light causes the heavily condensated windows to glow, the complimentary colours of all the junk on the roof, or the amber hue cast upon the boats by the dock lamp. Bringing this piece to life brought me back to that day early on that august morning, about to depart for a day of fishing. 

Piece will be shipped within 5 business days.