Oct
7
By Josie Bannerman
Doreen M. Gee’s eyes sparkle as she tells me about her latest project. She has recently created and published a wonderful art photo calendar featuring her favourite James Bay scenes. Gee is a Victoria writer, photographer and artist who contributes regularly to local publications, including The Beacon. She grew up in James Bay, and has many happy memories of the area. Our familiar landmarks - the Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ogden Point and Beacon Hill Park - all have special places in her heart.
Doreen’s project, The Rapture of James Bay Victoria Canada, is a beautiful 18-month calendar covering July 2014 to December 2015. It highlights over two years of her photographic work. Her love of natural beauty and memories of her childhood inspire the calendar, and create a heartfelt tribute to a part of Victoria that has had a major influence in her life.
The photographs Doreen has chosen for the calendar capture the beauty of James Bay and the natural splendor of the ocean, the breakwater, and even the rain! While most of the photographs are untouched, she put her creativity and imagination to work by digitally enhancing a few to further communicate what she sees and feels.
Her goal is to create magic with her images. She turns the ordinary into the extraordinary by showcasing the beauty of things that we often pass by. “When I take a picture, I try to get a feel for the scene and capture the emotions it brings up for me,” Doreen said. “The tag line that underscores all of my writing and photography is that I try to find, capture, focus on and amplify the extraordinary aspects of the ordinary world.”
Doreen has always loved the ocean. In particular, the breakwater seemed a mysterious, magical place. Maybe even a little bit dangerous. In her memories, Ogden Point is an industrial port with a grain elevator and piles of wood and logs. It was a rough part of town in those days, but it spelled freedom and adventure for Doreen and her brothers – a place to run and especially a place to make lots of noise!
The old Kiwanis wading pool in Beacon Hill Park, since replaced with a big watering can sprinkler, also plays a starring role in Doreen’s childhood memories. She loved that pool and fondly remembers the smell of water and bodies sizzling on the hot cement after swims on those long ago summer days. Her memories evoke the total freedom of childhood, and the ability of children to enjoy the moment. Now in her sixties, Doreen retains her vision of the world as a magical place, and the part of her that loves a sunset is with her still.
Doreen’s art photo calendar will appeal to both tourists and locals. It provides tourists with a beautiful visual keepsake to take home with them, while people who live in James Bay will appreciate this unique look at their community through the eyes of an artist. Doreen is pleased that sales to date are going well.
The calendar is available locally from Munro’s Books. Alternatively, you can order one directly from Doreen by email starjumper935@gmail.com or by phone 250-414-0349. The cost is $30. For more information about Doreen and her work you can visit her website at .