Synchronicity

If I related synchronicity to my work, I would refer it to moments in time where the theme that I am carving seem to be manifesting something in the natural "already existing" world.  This is all happening around me.

I work with animal spirits, carved ones and my work environment is also submerged in wild life.  For exemple, Ravens and Bald Eaglesfly around the carving shed, I have seen Bears roam the beach and the surrounding forest and the ocean rolling in and out in front of the shed shows Porpoises, Orcas, SeaLions, etc...

When I carve a Raven, I will hear the Ravens. It seems like they are trying to make themselves heard. I thought at first that it was all just me noticing them more because of carving theses animals and thinking more about them, but now after so many instances I feel like something is manifested.

Once I was carving the Thunderbird and this really loud thunder came about (it rarelly thunders here). this one time, the hair on my body stood up. From that moment on, I started to pay attention. My latest piece, a six foot totem with an Orca and a Raven has proven to manifest some of the synchronicity also.  As I inlaid the dorsal fin onthe Orca's back,I ended up having an incredibleOrca watch that day.  Just outside of the shed... it felt so magical.  I cannot explain this whole phenomenon very easily but I felt the need to share it.  Is the synchronicity the first step towards learning the spiritual teachings that the animal world have for us all in store?  I feel I am missing some of the teaching on how to understand them, is the synchronicity a doorway to my deepest and most sacred values in life? I sure think so. Do you?

The Whales Blow Hole

the lonely breath

Can you, for a moment imagine yourself living under water, swimming in the ocean.  Than think about that single breath, the one that will get you through the next few minutes... how precious.  The whale's blow hole fascinates me for that reason, representing the moment where ocean and air is exchanged and in relationship with each other, through a an animal's need for breath, the breath of life we hope is filled with health. We need to keep aware of what we put into the atmosphere everyday. Driving, using detergents, things that will pollute the air.  Think about that one single breath that would get you through... 

About Lyne

Lyne Des Rosiers was born in Montreal and as a child lived in multiple towns throughout Quebec and France. She remembers meeting people of all types, from European childhood friends to the Gypsies who once lived across the street. Taking inspiration from those gypsies, after her graduation from the Fine Arts program at Joliette cegep, Lyne followed her inspiration to the west coast. As a 20 year old fruit picker, Lyne fell in love with the Rockies and lived in Canmore for 4 years before meeting the friend who introduced her to the Alberni Valley.

The rustic life style seemed charming to young Lyne and when invited to live in a tepee beside Taylor River, her heart fluttered. Lyne lived on that site until a month later, when her and her friend realized that the water level was higher than they had first expected. Lyne rolled up camp and headed off in the direction of Tofino.

When Lyne arrived in Tofino she was inspired to create wind chimes out of red cedar. The first step was to buy the equipment. She went to the Tofino Co-op Hardware to find a hand drill. A man approached Lyne and offered his help to the lost girl in the hardware store. Lyne informed him that she had never worked with wood and explained her creative need to create wooden wind chimes. He looked down at her and asked her why she didn't make a bowl instead. He then invited Lyne to visit his home on Chesterman's Beach.

Lyne had no expectations of this man, but when she walked into this shed and her jaw dropped in awe. This humble man was really humble Henry Nolla, a friend to Tofitians and an expert carver. He welcomed Lyne to join him to learn the trade of wood carving. She jumped at the chance to live a life less ordinary learning from this extraordinary man.

Lyne shared the naturalistic lifestyle of Henry and for the next 1.5 years she assisted him on many projects from wooden bowls to totem poles. In return Henry taught Lyne how to properly make carving tools and helped her acquire wood for her own projects. Lyne's departure from working for Henry as an apprentice happened when Charles McDiarmid purchased one of Lyne's hand carved bowls for The Wickaninnish Inn, creating inspiration for Lyne's career in woodworking. At that point, Lyne changed her lifestyle and for the next 2.5 years she was no longer a working apprentice of Henry but a co-worker, working on her own artwork with assistance from Henry.

Lyne has had a lot of exposure through the carving shed. Lyne has sold private commissions to Texas and throughout the US, France, Germany and most everywhere in Canada. She finds many people who walk into Henry's shed and fall in love with the west coast, from the cedar to the unique carving tool collection. She has created many projects starting with bowls and plates, spoons and plaques, small and large masks, totem poles and finally ornamented many traditionnal steambent cedar boxes. She traveled to Munster, Germany after creating pieces for an exhibition at the Museum of Munster in 2005. Lyne's work now ships all around the world.

Her work can be viewed at The Carving Shed on Chesterman Beach, just south of the exquisite Wickaninnish Inn.