~ By Bev Mountain, Cedar Creek Writers
Sonia and Angus Galbraith, artists
and carvers, living in the town of Lake
Cowichan. Their home rests on the banks
of the Cowichan River in an isolated area
of virgin forest. The wilderness around
them feeds their artistic souls and they
feel blessed to be able to create their
beautiful stone carvings in such an idyllic
setting.
I arrived at the Galbraith's home to the
sounds of Gus playing his clarinet, the
music flowing out over their garden. A
garden inhabited with carved woodland
beings, whimsical and totemic in design,
created by the Galbraiths. There is a
feeling of tranquility that pervades their
woodland oasis.
Sonia met me in the yard and gave me a guided tour of their outside workshop areas. Gus works in a shed
that seems to hang over the river. Double doors open, bringing the stunning landscape right into his work shop. A fine, flour-like dust covers everything in the shed. Uncut pieces of stone wait for Gus to release the sculptured
piece that abides inside. It is a place of austere magic.
Sonia's work area is outside under a tent and is a seamless part of the woodland setting. She showed me the
industrial type masks they both use to protect their lungs from the fine dust created when grinding away the
stone. Sonia changes out of her dust covered work clothes before entering her home as the dust is very invasive.
We entered the comfortable log house and enjoyed a cool drink at their dining room table. Gus told me of
the different kinds of stones and bones that he uses for his carving. On the table next to me is Sonia's work of a
mother and baby seal. The sculpture is caught in a dance like pose; a dance frozen in stone. It is a treat for me to
enjoy while we chat. Many finished pieces are on display throughout the house and garden. Nature and animals are the subjects
for most of the Galbraith's sculptures.
It has been a privilege to spend a few hours with this talented and friendly couple. The Galbraiths shared their art and their
woodland environment with me. I thank them for this pleasant experience.
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