This week’s workshops were led by Patrick Royle, Martha Ritchie, and Marie-Helene Comeau, and resulted in some beautiful flowers and foliage, snow buntings, a swan, and a majestic looking bear.

Fireweed

“I was happy to be painting cherry blossoms on my pottery. Then someone asked me to paint a flamenco. While I was trying to find the perfect pink glaze, it occurred to me that I should do what is in my own back yard. That’s when I developed the fireweed pottery. That was 35 years ago, and I am still making it!” – Patrick Royle, potter and teacher

“I always thought that fireweed was unique to the Yukon. Then I found out it grows everywhere!!” – Whitehorse workshop participant

Crocuses

“Crocuses always remind me of my childhood, growing up on the Prairies. Every spring we kids would always pick a few of these flowers for our mom.” – Whitehorse workshop participant

“Crocuses are for me about new beginnings and renewal. They bring hope and are an invitation to start afresh.” – Whitehorse workshop participant

Bears

“I was hiking in Kluane with five other women when we saw a mother grizzly, two two-year old cubs AND two large male grizzlies altogether along a creek bed! Thankfully it ended happily for us. That part of the park was closed for three weeks, but one of the two-year olds killed a woman from B.C. shortly after the trail reopened.” – Whitehorse workshop participant  

Snow Buntings

“Snow buntings are such a welcome sight because when they arrive it is a sure sign of spring! It means the swans and geese will soon be here too.” – Haines Junction workshop participant

“There is a colourful bunting known as a Painted Bunting that has six colours on it including, amongst others, red, blue, yellow and green. They are found in the southern coastal region of North America.” – Haines Junction workshop participant

Swans

Haiku by Haines Junction workshop participant Elaine Hurlbert:
“The highlight of spring
Touching down on our creek.
What a delight they bring!”