What's Important?

The answer is celebrations of life, art, culture, friends, and family.

Xwu'p'a'lich blessing a canoeing journey...

I'm interrupting this newsletter so passionately devoted to fine art printing to tell a story. It's not specifically relevant to printing, but it does have relevance... to everything else in life, including fine art printing. Whether its relevant to you or not, I need to tell it, in hopes you'll excuse my indulgence.

I'm writing this on the flight home from a funeral. No, not a funeral as we think of it; not at all. I came from a Celebration of Life for the matriarch of the Sechelt First Nations people on Canada's Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.

A Sechelt Celebration of Life is an all day affair, filled with such beauty, sadness, joy and hope, it can sometimes be overwhelming. It fills the soul to bursting. Hours of people telling stories of this remarkable woman's life, her achievements, her passion for her culture, her wisdom, her guidance. Perhaps most importantly, her vision for her people and for the future of us all. I was humbled by this incredible Celebration.

There was singing the powerful songs of her people throughout the day, drumming, offering thanks to the Creator. Story telling in the native fashion, funny, poignant, tear-jerking. At times there was not a dry eye in the longhouse.

Once in the longhouse attendees may not leave. There are no cell phones, but also no eating, drinking, or smoking, lest it offend the spirits roaming among us. It's a time to pay respects, to think, to be quiet and contemplate, to not be distracted by the insanity in our world. I found I could breathe deeply, relaxed, no emails, texts or distracting thoughts.

I have sat with Xwu'p'a'lich (her Salish name) for many hours. I've spent ten days with her as I was part of a group of indigenous people paddling war canoes the length of the spectacular Okanagan Lake, stopping at First Nation villages for ceremonial feasts along the way. I always considered it an honor and a blessing knowing this woman. When I was told of her passing, I flew across the continent and crossed borders immediately.

I don't want to bore you with more details, but I do want to share what I think does have relevance to our photography. Celebrate your imagery in prints. Please. Celebrations are important. Xwu'p'a'lich taught me that.

Always strive to elevate your art. Have a vision of where you want to be. Walk the path. Do the hard work. There's always room for improvement, new directions, new learnings. Xwu'p'a'lich's wisdom showed me that.

Xwu'p'a'lich is deeply missed, but she left a mighty legacy for her family and community. Now it's time for us to carry on that tradition. Let's all take time to celebrate; our art, our family, our community, whatever. And let's help elevate them through our example.