er! Local artist honours Vikings hockey and history with mural

By Lori Larsen

The Augustana Vikings sports teams have a proud and long standing history in Camrose. The very mention of The Vikings conjures images of strong, athletes defending the continued achievements of the various teams.

It was that history, and Vikings men’s hockey head coach Tim Green’s desire to preserve that image in a way that spoke volumes, that inspired Jon Hironaka to commission local artist Kimberly Fletcher to paint a life size mural on the wall outside the Viking’s dressing room.

“The Viking mural came to life thanks to Tim Green’s idea, paying homage to the Augustana Viking legacy,” explained Kim. “I’ve been an artist specializing in wall murals for many years. It all began with painting my kid’s bedroom walls, and over time, I expanded to creating residential and business murals in Edmonton and the surrounding area through word of mouth referrals. About two decades ago, my former neighbour Carol Green came up with the business name ‘Mural Mural on the Wall,’ which I’ve proudly used ever since.”

While it was Jon who initially reached out to Kim with the idea of the Viking mural, painting the mural for Carol’s son was the icing on the cake. “Painting this mural for Carol’s son was meaningful, showcasing the profound connections art can create.

“The paint was generously supplied by Wideman Paint and Decor in Camrose,” said Kim adding that choos- ing colours with Jenn Stone was an absolute pleasure.

The mural took three and a half days to prime, paint, and apply a protective seal. “The Viking stands at around 7’ x 6’ and watches over the dressing room where players gather before, during and after battle.”

Aside from producing amazing works of art in mural and other mediums, Kim has recently expanded her artistic talent to include tattooing, specifically 3D restoration, for people who have undergone various treatments, surgeries, or experienced scars and discoloration.

She is also a strong advocate for the art community, and volunteers her time as the vice president of the Camrose Arts Society. “We are always recruiting new members-please reach out to our website (camroseartssociety.ca) if you enjoy art and community involvement.”

It’s through collaboration and collective support that communities become more than places to live. They are a cumulation of diversity connected through a common interest of enhancing all the peoples’ lives that live there. For Kim and the Augustana Vikings, making that connection was a “stroke” of genius.

For more information on Kim and her art contact her via email at Kimberlyjan68@gmail.com or visit

@

Kim_Fletcher_Art

on instagram

What feeds your soul?

I’m still relishing the slower pace of summer and hope you are too. For example…

A while ago, I spent an entire afternoon in a Japanese garden. As soon as I stepped through the gates, I could feel myself relaxing. (I didn’t know I wasn’t relaxed!) A sense of peace descended as I walked the paths and took in the greenery, the rocks, the water, the quiet. I sat for a long time in one of the resting places, enjoyed when someone would sound the deep gong, and just took it in.

When I returned home, I felt peaceful and simultaneously energized. I thought, “That fed my soul,” which got me thinking about what feeds the soul. Here are some things that feed my soul. What feeds yours?

Being outdoors or in nature. I think of moments on a mountain summit, or in a deep forest, or by a waterfall, or seeing ocean to the horizon, when I also felt that sense of peace, awe and being energized.

I also remember times when I was puttering in a garden and realized that I’d lost all sense of time. As I stood up, I was a bit stiff and achy from crouching (forgot to stretch now and then), covered with rose bush scratches and mosquito bites, wondering if my fingernails (and the rest of me!) would ever be clean again –and gloriously happy. For me, gardening is good for the soul.

Beauty. Beauty in nature, beauty of art, beauty of interior design, beauty of music or any other beautiful sensory experience – sight, sound, touch, taste, smell – any form of beauty is good for the soul.

Connection with others. Times of feeling deeply connected with other people, times of deep mutual authenticity and honesty, shared integrity – those times of deep connection, with or without words, are good for the soul.

Flow. Recently a colleague and I were working on a report and we both got into a zone of creativity. We were sparking off one another. Both of us felt totally appreciated and supported by the other. Insights poured in. We thought of ideas that hadn’t occurred to us before. By the end of that long intense day, we were both tired but energized and uplifted.

Things that are good for the soul contribute to the state of “flow” and that “flow” state is certainly good for the soul!

Service. One of my mom’s favourite quotes was from Dr. David Livingstone, a scholar and musician who devoted much of his adult life to providing medical services in Africa. He once said in a speech to a graduating class, “I do not know what your destiny will be but this much I know. The only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found a way to be of service.”

I can think of many times when individuals or groups worked on tasks that would ordinarily be unpleasant, but they enjoyed what they were doing because they knew they were being of service.

Inner connection. Times when I’m still and quiet, connected with deep inner wisdom and also feeling part of something bigger than myself, are good for my soul. I especially like it when I can take that awareness and operate from it in my regular day-to-day world.

Meaning. I’ve heard a story about someone in the Middle Ages asking three bricklayers what they were doing. One said, “I’m putting bricks on top of one another.” One said, “I’m building a wall.” One said, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God.”

The same activity can be mind-numbing or good for the soul, depending on what meaning we attach to it.

This all leads to two obvious questions:

What feeds your soul?

How do you weave some soul-nourishing time into every day?

I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send an email to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com I’ll happily reply within two business days.