Artist-Painted Nest Box Show & Auction 2025
Now Open!
The WildWings Nature & Arts Festival’s art show and auction is entirely composed of artist-painted nest boxes. Each nest box is an entirely original piece of art by an incredible artist. Among these artists are well-known talent like Robert Bateman, Coco Jones and Luke Marston, as well as many, very talented, other artists.
All proceeds from the nest box auction will go toward building Malcolm’s Place, an extension of the Somenos Marsh Open Air Classroom (OAC). The elevated viewing platform will bring even more accessible wildlife viewing to the OAC. The project is named in honour of one of the SMWS’s valuable advocates and volunteers, Malcolm MacLeod, who suffered a serious accident and is now wheelchair bound. You can find more information about the project on the SMWS website.
1 – Robert Bateman
Robert Bateman has been a keen artist and naturalist all his life. He has always painted wildlife and nature, beginning with a representational style, moving through impressionism and cubism to abstract expressionism. In his early thirties he moved back to realism as a more suitable way to express the particularity of the planet. It is this style that has made him one of the foremost artists depicting the world of nature.
Bateman’s art reflects his commitment to ecology and preservation. Since the early 1960’s, he has been an active member of naturalist and conservation organizations, now on a global scale. He has become a spokesman for many environmental and preservation issues and has used his artwork and limited edition prints in fund-raising efforts that have provided millions of dollars for these worthy causes. Books about his life and art have had sales of over 1,000,000 copies. His honours and awards are numerous, including Officer of the Order of Canada; he has been the subject of several films and television programs. At 95, he enjoys his home on Salt Spring Island which abounds with bird life including barn and violet green swallows.
2 – Tina Sampson
3 – Cher McKittrick
Cher McKittrick lives in the beautiful rural area of Cobble Hill, on Vancouver Island. This self-taught artist has explored multiple mediums including (but not limited to) Watercolors, Acrylics, Mixed Media, Hand Built Clay oddities, and Glass.
Her style can be described as eclectic, and she thrives on the exciting possibilities available in every medium.
Cher has opted to no longer post art on Social Media sites, but if you wish to view older posts, look her up on InstaGram: @CherMcKittrick
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” – Andy Warhol
4 – James Henry 1
“Red Flower”
5 – James Henry 2
“Blue Flower”
6 – Paul Sampson
7 – Jennifer Shepherd
This nesting box connects us with land, water, and sky creatures of Somenos Marsh. Open the side panel to invite sunshine into the box, then peer through the hole in the front of the box to discover a surprise silhouetted inside. This interactive feature reminds us of the power of our hands to touch, eyes to see, and curiosity to learn about and support creatures that call the marsh home in the darkness of night and lightness of day.
My art practice is rooted in community connections, emergence, and healing that arise from the creative process and nurture well-being. I work across disciplines, including: carving, weaving, basketry, songwriting, writing, photography, poetry, percussion, and arts-based facilitation methods.
8 – Lorna Robertson
Lorna Robertson is a self-taught artist who creates and plays in the Cowichan Valley area. This artist constantly delves into new and exciting mediums, exploring each one with an eye for creating something unique and funky. Her style generally leans towards bright colors and clever combinations of mediums.
9 – Joe Campbell and Rupert Scow
This nest box was designed by Joe Campbell and carved by Rupert Scow.
10 – Luke Marston
Luke Marston (Ts’uts’umutl), a member of the Stz’uminus (Chemainus) First Nation, was born in 1976 on Vancouver Island to carvers Jane and David Marston. He learned Salish history and traditional stories from the late Coast Salish artist Simon Charlie, and honed his talents in form, design, carving, and detailed finishing from Haida/Nisga’a artist Wayne Young. Luke then worked for five years at Thunderbird Park at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, alongside Jonathan Henderson, Sean Whannock, Sean Karpes and his brother, John Marston.
Relentlessly working to broaden his horizons, Luke has explored stone carving, painting, jewelry and printmaking; however the majority of Luke’s work is created in wood. Marston’s style is characterized as bold and dramatic, combining a deep knowledge of Coast Salish heritage with his personal contemporary aesthetic. Luke aims to preserve his culture by sharing his art with the public.
His fine artworks grace many private collections and have been exhibited nationally and internationally — including exhibitions in Canada, the United States, Japan, and Portugal. He has had major commissions from the Canadian Government, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Vancouver Airport, and much more.
11 – Jan MacKirdy
In the heart of the Cowichan Valley, where verdant landscapes meet the rhythm of rural life, Janice MacKirdy has cultivated a unique artistic vision that mirrors the harmony between nature and human ingenuity. A self-taught creative and maker, Janice has spent nearly five decades nurturing her craft and her community, embodying a philosophy that celebrates recycling, up-cycling, and environmental sustainability. Janice’s journey as an artist began not with a formal education, but with a profound connection to the land. Growing up on a homestead and working as a farmer, she developed an intimate understanding of nature’s cycles and a deep appreciation for the value of resources. This background instilled in her a commitment to creating art that reflects her values and her environment. What others might overlook as waste, she transforms into works of art that are both visually stunning and rich in narrative. Her creations are a dialogue between past and present, an homage to the resources that have shaped her life and a statement on the potential for renewal. In the Cowichan Valley, Janice actively engages in local initiatives, sharing her knowledge and passion for up-cycling with others, and inspiring a collective movement towards a more mindful approach to art and life. Janice MacKirdy’s work is a celebration of the intersection between creativity and conservation.
12 – Quentin Harris
Quentin is a practicing Indigenous Artist residing on Salt Spring Island. Ten months of the year he is busy going from class to class spreading Indigenous knowledge, culture and artistic endeavors with students of all grades. The secret of his success? Being a big kid himself! Refusing to grow up, Q finds time for silly laughter, the closeness of family & friends and ambitious dog walks up local mountains. If Q isn’t sketching ovoids and formlines, he’s snapping video on his trusty GoPro. Often putting together cinematic films of daily life that reflect the notion that the Creator’s beauty is all around us – if we just pause and look!
13 – Kitaay Bizhikikwe
Boozhoo!! Kitaay Bizhikikwe ndizhinikaaz, waabizheshi ndodem. Anishinaabe, miinwaa Métis ndow, bezho Mide kwe ndow. My name is Kitaay Bizhikikwe, I also use my English name, Amanda Myers. I am marten clan, and a member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Confederacy. As someone of blended lineage I draw inspiration from my fathers’ Anishinaabe and Métis family lines of Cadotte/Cadeau and Myers/Maillette, the oldest place that we come from being Mooningwaanikaaning, or Madeline Island, Wisconsin. I also honor my mothers’ lines of Peel and Cook connecting me to English and Welsh ancestry. I am a trained goldsmith, painter and print-maker working as a professional artist and educator over the past 25 years. (amandamyersart.com) Who and where I come from influences how I see the world and how I create, my goal is to honor all those that have come before me, the support of my parents, and my Mide family far and wide. Quoting my dear niece Shki Aandeseh, “Auntie, just do your best, do your best not to paddle in circles!”, and that is what I promise to do, my best.
14 – Goetz Schuerholz
I have lived on the shoreline of the Cowichan Estuary for the past 50 years, drawn here by the valley’s natural beauty, which continues to serve as both my refuge and inspiration. Each time after returning from professional work as a conservation ecologist from abroad, the forests, waterways, and ever-changing light of this landscape ground me, regenerate me, and feed my creative spirit.
My artistic practice—rooted deeply in a love for nature and a commitment to its protection—includes sculpture and painting. I work in stone and metal, create outdoor sculptures and smaller bronze works, and paint primarily in acrylic and pastel. My subjects are drawn directly from the world around me and the rich impressions from my extensive travels worldwide. Each piece reflects my ongoing dialogue with this place I call home and my belief in art as a means to connect, heal, and celebrate the natural world.
15 – Jeff Samin
“Dans le Jardin il y a la paix”
Jeff Samin is an 80 year old retired teacher and recreational artists. Born in Sydney, Australia, he has resided in Canada for 57 years, the last 49 in BC, and now calls Kelowna home.
After a hiatus of about 20 years, Jeff took up the brush again during the Covid lockdown in 2020. Originally working in watercolor, he now prefers acrylics. With little formal training in art, the learning process has been slow, but with each painting he learns a little more. He has sold very few of his paintings, preferring instead to do free consignment work for friends and relatives. All they have to do is supply their own frame!
Sunflowers have been a popular requested subject in a number of his works, and were the starting point for “Dans le Jardin il y a la paix” – in the garden there is peace. He has always been a huge admirer of the French Impressionists – hence the title. There is also a hint of Van Gogh.
Above it all, a solitary maple leaf floats gently toward the ground, a reminder of where his heart is now firmly planted.
16 – Darlene Tully
“A Wish”
Darlene Tully was born and raised in Ontario. Having travelled across Canada often as a youngster, she made British Columbia her home in 2003. She recently returned to Ontario for a stint. A clinical counsellor, art therapist, artist, and a nature enthusiast, she finds creative and nature-based endeavours to be grounding and healing. Darlene enjoys exploring and portraying the relationship between humans and the natural world in her artwork.
“Striving to capture simple moments of beauty and fragility, I work to juxtapose the tenuous and difficult predicaments in life with an engagement of the lovely wonders that are present in the every day.”
This years’ Nest Box is titled “A Wish”. Inspired by the beauty of the Valley’s marshlands, rivers, and mountains, and the fragile yet interconnected nature of ecosystems and humankind. I hold in mind a wish to supplant the Imperialist tendency for oppression with an acknowledgement that we all belong.
How do we work towards truth and reconciliation at home when we are complicit with another colonial genocide in Palestine?
Find Darlene at www.embellishingjupiter.com or www.instagram.com/darlenetully.art/
17 – Renske Sagar
Renske has been painting for about 15 years and it has become her favourite pastime. Her love of nature defines her paintings, whether realistic, abstract or a combination of both. She paints mainly with acrylics, often dabbling in other media.
“I see possibilities for a new painting wherever I go.”
18 – Shirley Dickie
The work of contemporary Canadian artist Shirley Dickie presents a whimsical exploration of nature through handcrafted wooden forms. Each view merges functionality with artistic expression, revealing a deep appreciation for the intricate beauty of flowers and the natural world. The vibrant use of color and detailed patterns invites viewers to engage with the artwork, evoking a sense of joy and connection to the environment.
Through her body of work, Dickie transforms everyday objects into decorative art, encouraging a dialogue between the viewer and the piece. The interplay of color and form not only beautifies spaces but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the world around us, inviting contemplation and reflection.
19 – Melissa Manson
In the last few years, I have started to take my art-making seriously because I love creating and I get excited in creating new work and working using a new medium. I guess it is my natural curiosity that makes me pick up a brush, pencil, or natural elements in the first place.
Nature, people, and even random little things in life inspire me to create.
I’m into painting with acrylic, and I love experimenting with bold colours and textures. Also, I’ve just started to do wood burning and what better piece to do it on but the bird houses. It was creative and fun. Although the piece has a simple message, it invites people to relate to a living in nature. My goal is to create pieces that feel personal but also relatable, like they’re telling a story everyone can connect with.
My art is inspired by nature and colour, and I hope it makes people feel calm or maybe even a little nostalgic. At the end of the day, I just want to create something that feels real and meaningful.
20 – Victoria Blouin
Victoria Blouin is a watercolour painter, oil painter, and printmaker from the Cowichan Valley. Her artwork explores themes about nature, fantasy, body positivity, and the human form.
Victoria graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2023, earning her BFA (Bachelor of Arts).
Her family comes from Montreal, Quebec where she was born in 2001. She was 3 years old when her family moved out west to the Cowichan Valley located on Vancouver Island. Art has always been an important part of her life, an interest passed down on her mother’s side of the family.
21 – Trish Lawton
“Splendidly Blue”
Resident of North Cowichan living in the scenic corridor of Maple Bay for 11 years. Member of CVAC; Graduate from the Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA) with a Certificate of Visual Art in 2010.
My art practice shows a fascination of colour and nature. My style is bright, somewhat abstract/stylized, whimsical, decorative and organic. I use various mediums and collectively they represent my vision and creativity. The mediums I work in are: watercolour, gouache, acrylic, oil, pastels, ink & pencil, collage paper, gel printing and fibre art.
22 – Katherine Phethean
“Winter Light” Acrylic on wood
“We generally don’t love January around here, but then there are moments when the low afternoon sun bursts through moody clouds, illuminating the resting fields and rising mists, and I am overcome with the subtle beauty of this place and the changing seasons.”
Katherine Phethean was born and raised in Scotland and studied at Edinburgh College of Art. She has lived in the Quw’utsun since 2005.
23 – Gabriel Abney
Gabriel’s art education started early. His grandmother, Genevra Sloan, a professional artist and university art teacher, was teaching him colour wheels and figure drawing at the kitchen table as a child, and often had him tagging along to shows, galleries or to her studio. Although his focus in college was digital art and ‘new media’, Gabriel’s first love was painting and print-making. His paintings often contain bold contrasts and textures and heavy use of the palette knife. He works in silkscreen printing, and has painted on and off for his whole life – mostly in the abstract expressionist style favoured by his first art teacher.
24 – Jennifer Hedge
Jennifer Hedge is a Vancouver Island artist and has worked professionally as a Head Scenic Artist for 40 years, currently holding that position at Pacific Opera Victoria, and Chemainus Theatre. Theatre sets painted by Jennifer have been enjoyed by audiences throughout North America and Europe, and she has earned recognition as one of the best in her field.
After an extended hiatus from pursuing her own artwork, Jen returned to painting in 2007. Her main inspiration comes from nature. The impact of humanity on wild places and the creatures which inhabit those places is a recurring theme throughout much of her artwork. She paints dramatic sky and seascapes, and referential landscape scenes from her Coastal environment. She is influenced by the painters of the Romantic movement and their expression of personal ideas, visions and emotions; the imagination governing the creative act rather than convention.
25 – Catherine Fraser
“Because birds turn you into an optimist—they train your mind to wake up every morning expecting to see something beautiful, something miraculous, anywhere and everywhere.” – Trish O’Kane
“This bird box was created honouring my mother. She loved the tree birds” on a beautiful heritage fir. When she sat at the kitchen table they would come and visit. I started photographing and collaging elements inside the house and this light bird appeared as a textured reflection reminding me to remember the beauty and joy that the birds bring. As I lovingly painted this box, I was aiming for simplicity and beauty and it felt like a lacquer box symbolic of nature and respecting life. So there is an imaginary bird and cranes included in this box.”
Catherine has painted professionally since 1983 with art studios in Victoria and the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, BC Canada. She works in oils, acrylic, watercolour, graphite and pastels, photography and mixed media and is constantly exploring and experimenting with new artistic responses to the world around her. Catherine is an accomplished and award-winning artist having exhibited in over 25 one-woman shows, in Canada, US and Europe. Her artwork has been selected into juried shows and she has received many awards. She has BScN, University of Victoria, diploma Art Therapy BC School of Art Therapy and Certificate in Fine Art from Vancouver Island School Of Art and divides her time between careers as an artist and an art therapist.
26 – Coco Jones
I was born on the unceded territory of the Saugeen people
In what settlers call Southampton Ontario.
I was born coco.
I was very dark, hairy, smiley and Buddha-like (as mom said).
Hyper aware from my first steps, I remember not liking the smell
of old people, or the feel of plastic on furniture. (NOW I AM OLD(er))
From my first solids it was evident that I came here for the food.
Singing in a funeral choir as a child didn’t seem strange until
I said it out loud to a friend recently,
but it trained us to be able to witness very hard things,
and honour them with our voice, to sing for those who could not.
(It’s how I work even now, just with paint.)
I found myself on this coast in the summer of 1990
Deployed here with the navy, and never looked back.
I followed a boy whom I loved, my Rickie, and we had our four children,
Dylan, Jacob, August & Enya Penya.
That I LIVED to see my grandson Artemus Moon Jones, and my granddaughter Ava Marie Jones
is a brilliant highlight in my life.
I also need nature, my drums, my Seiðr(s),
running around the forest (with friends)
& my dog Hera.
Music IS life.
27 – Angela Andersen and Allan Garbutt
“Shelter” – milk paint primer, acrylic paint, uv varnish
This nest box design was inspired by a weeping cherry tree in our front yard. The draping leaves arch over and touch the ground, creating a dark, canopied room buzzing with life and flickering with diamonds of light . Entering into this space is like entering into another world where you can sit and be a still witness to the activities of changing seasons. When we were working on this it went through several stages as it passed back and forth between our hands. Fear not the messy, the chaotic, the delightful tangles of uncertainty as they are the wellspring of discovery!