inspiration

olympic inspiration

February 7, 2022UncategorizedArt, Beijing, inspiration, Olympic art, pen and ink drawing, Team Canada, watercolor, winter olympicsAndrew Seal Leave a comment

So much inspiration from Team Canada in Beijing yesterday. Congratulations to all our medal winners: to Max Parrot who has recovered from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, on his gold medal in men’s Slopestyle and to Mark McMorris on receiving bronze; to Kim Boutin, on her bronze medal in the women’s 500m short track speed skating ; and to Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Alexandria Loutitt, Matthew Soukup and Abigail Strate all winning bronze in the Olympic debut of mixed team Ski Jumping.

Olympic moments however are not only just about winning medals. After Justine Dufour-Lapointe fell on her mogul run seeing her comforted by her sister Chloe was inspiring and golden in every way, as are the words she has written on Instagram at @justinedufourlapointe Read them and be inspired by this great Canadian athlete and role model.

Olympic Moments IV – 6.2.22

Pacific Spirit Inspiration

January 22, 2022UncategorizedImages of Canada, inspiration, landscape photography, Pacific Spirit Park, photography, Vancouver, Wordpress bloggerAndrew Seal Leave a comment

As a new year begins the magic continued today in the Pacific Spirit Park, Vancouver.

Celebrating Simone

July 28, 2021Art, UncategorizedArt, Art studio, artistic gymnastics, greatest of all times, gymnastics, inspiration, Mental Health Awareness, Olympic Games, pen and ink drawing, role model, Simone Biles, survivor, Tokyo Olympics, US gymnastics, watercolorAndrew Seal View all 2 comments

Today I am reposting “The Power of Teal” from August 2018 when Simone Biles reigned supreme at the US Gymnastics Championships. The teal leotard she wore then was to honour victims of sexual assault, which she, and members of the US Gymnastics team, had all been subjected to over so many years. The following year she then became the first woman to win four all-round World Gymnastic Championship titles.

Today after withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympic Games in order to focus on her mental health, a decision that USA Gymnastics supported with their statement, “We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being,” adding, “Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”

Sadly, she is now being subjected to shameful and despicable commentary on her decision from people who in so doing have demonstrated the depths of their ignorance and hate.

My drawings and paintings are my way of demonstrating my support and admiration for someone who is a true role model and inspiration for us all.

She is today and always will be the greatest of all times.

The Power of Teal – August 23rd, 2018

Celebrating the athleticism and sublime grace, artistry, strength, and courage of Simone Biles who reigned supreme at the US Gymnastics Championships last weekend.

The teal leotard she wore was to honour the victims of sexual assault, being a survivor herself.

“The colour is for the survivors. I stand with all of them…” Simone Biles

A true hero and inspiration for our times.

“embraced, enriched, alive”

February 18, 2021Photo Essay, photography, UncategorizedexploreBC, Images of Canada, inspiration, iphoneography, Pacific Spirit Park, photography, PoetryAndrew Seal View all 6 comments

The anonymous poet of the park has inspired us once again capturing so perfectly the magic and beauty of this special place, the Pacific Spirit Park here in Vancouver. Hopefully my photos from yesterday do justice to his/her beautiful words. Thank you to whomever you are and keep inspiring us with your poetry.

Pacific Spirit Park.

We enter into
A pact
As we leave cars
And concrete behind.
Walk or run or bike
Into a spirit world.
Of water abundant
At this time of year.
Light diminished,
Or the bending rays of
Occasional winter sun.

I see you.
I know you’re here.
I move and listen,
Take such joy
In watching our dog
Run free.
Nodding or briefly chatting
To others,
Clad in rain gear,
Mud splattered shoes.

We join with the forest’s
spirit.
The constancy of movement.
Of air and trees,
Light and water.
Shape shifting through days,
Seasons.
Being one with
All that is here.
A companion guides us.
Embraced, enriched,
Alive.

sunday’s best

February 7, 2021photography, Uncategorizedinspiration, iphoneography, leaves, Pacific Spirit Park, photography, SundayAndrew Seal View all 2 comments

The beauty of today’s collection of leaves from the Pacific Spirit Park.

MLK day

January 18, 2021photography, Uncategorizedinspiration, Martin Luther King, MLK day, Pacific Spirit Park, photographyAndrew Seal View all 2 comments

A beautiful morning in the Pacific Spirit Park on this most inspiring of days. Thinking of family and friends down south who are honoring the memory and legacy of Martin Luther King today. I hope his words of love and grace will lead towards justice and peace in the challenging days ahead.

a moment like no other

September 2, 2019Art, Painting, Uncategorizedacrylic painting, Art, Coco Gauff, humanity, inspiration, Naomi Osaka, sportsmanship, US Open Tennis ChampionshipAndrew Seal View all 4 comments

A memorable moment of beautiful sportsmanship when Naomi Osaka supported Coco Gauff after her loss in their Third Round match in this year’s US Open Tennis Championship. In our time of universal uncertainty this was truly an uplifting moment and shows the best of what we can all aspire to. Thank you Naomi.

leadership for the world

March 23, 2019Art, Painting, UncategorizedChristchurch, compassion, inspiration, jacindaardern, leadership, New Zealand, pen and ink drawing, watercolorAndrew Seal View all 4 comments

Compassion, strength, comfort, and humility:

true leadership for the leaders of the world to learn from.

Simone perfect

November 2, 2018Art, Painting, UncategorizedArt, gymnastics, inspiration, pen and ink drawing, Simone Biles, watercolorAndrew Seal Leave a comment

Celebrating the perfection once again of Simone Biles, the first women to win four all-round World Gymnastic Championship titles.
The power of teal continues.

the power of teal

August 23, 2018Art, UncategorizedArt, Art studio, gymnastics, inspiration, pen and ink drawing, Simona Biles, watercolorAndrew Seal View all 4 comments

Celebrating the athleticism and sublime grace, artistry, strength, and courage of Simone Biles who reigned supreme at the US Gymnastics Championships last weekend.

The teal leotard she wore was to honour the victims of sexual assault, being a survivor herself.