EARLY SEASON BACKCOUNTRY REFRESHER

EARLY SEASON GEAR REFRESHER WITH WESTON BACKCOUNTRY

Planning & Packing for Splitboarding 101

Weston Rider and Local Revelstoke Artist, Claudia "Bambi" Simon gives us the low-down on early season backcountry prepping and packing…

Read Full Blog Here

Rider: Bambi - Photo: Laurent Powers

an art-doorsy workshop

hike & sketch workshop recap

An art-doorsy workshop in the mountains of Revelstoke

Thank you for joining me for an art-doorsy workshop where we transformed a hike in the woods into a goldmine of artistic inspiration.

During this workshop, we explored the trails of Revelstoke Mountain Resort in pursuit of colors, textures and sensory awareness they'll funnel into art that's freed from the constraints of realism.

RECAP VIDEO > Hike & Sketch workshop on RMR as part of the Wildflower Festival. Sunshine & creative minds — the perfect day!

TURBO BAMBI SOLO ARTSHOW

COMING SOON: SOLO ART SHOW

A new body of work to be released in 2022.

Turbo Bambi's Solo Art Exhibition is opening on July 7th 2022 in the main gallery of Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.

Let the Good times Roll — her biggest solo show to date, introduces a new and diverse body of work. To name a few, traditional art, skateboard features, woodworking and NFTs will be on display at Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre from July 7 to 31, 2022.

Bambi’s digital & traditional artwork is fuelled by her adventures on snow, land & water. Driven by the good times and the pursuit of breathtaking sceneries, her work blends the lines between fantasy and reality, often giving landscapes a life of their own. Some of her mischievous characters have been known to escape the digital world and can be spotted lurking in urban spaces posing as public art and murals… No need to panic, Bambi’s colourful artworks are created with the sole purpose of bringing joy to your day. 

ART SHOW PHOTO & RECAP > HERE

Facebook www.facebook.com/turbobambi
Instagram www.instagram.com/turbobambi_design

public art & women in snowboarding

From Public Art to Women’s snowboarding

An Interview with Revelstoke Snowboard Club

Hywel Williams and Turbo Bambi sit down for a chat for Revelstoke Snowboard Club.

Original interview here

It’s hard for me to put into words what strikes me about Bambi and why I had to do this interview after spending some time with her the last couple of winters. I guess it’s because you can’t ignore her passion for all things around the lifestyle/ skate, snow, surf culture. Her artwork, her snowboarding, her active involvement to make a welcoming space for women to skate and snowboard is why we are all lucky to have her as part of the community.

-Hywel Williams

Rapid Fire Questions

How many years have you been snowboarding? since ’94, so… 28 years & a couple of wrinkles.  

First Board? K2 Juju and stiff like a 2×4.

How much of that time has been in Revelstoke? I’ve been in Revy for 5 years. I moved to here in 2017 after spending 10 years in Whistler. Came for the pow and stayed for the people. 

Favourite Snowboard Movie? True Life – Mack Dawg Production in 2002 marked my youth. 

Favourite snowboarder: Torstein, king of style & clean tricks.

Toeside or heelside? I wish I could say toeside, but heelside. Maybe one day.

In a nutshell, give us the low down on your shred history?

Growing up in the sub-arctic climate of Quebec, I started skiing (on ice) around 4 y/o but was never really a fan. I would beg my parents to leave me in the lodge while they went skiing but that was not an option. At 11, I officially quit skiing. That year, my sister and my dad got into snowboarding. When they came back after their first day of riding, my older sister told me I HAD to try. And of course, being the youngest and looking up to my sister and my dad, I gave it a try. I was instantly hooked! Which, looking back, seems strange, because I doubt I even made a turn on the first day. But the lifestyle surrounding the sport is what I related to the most.

Then I became the stereotypical French-Canadian jibber, because at my local mountain, Stoneham, pow is not as easy to find, especially if you’re a student and ride mostly at night. While in high school, I took a trip to the West Coast with my family and the second we got to Whistler, I knew in my bones I would live there later in life. Once I graduated Uni, I packed my car, drove to Whis and rode park for about 10 years. I started dipping my toes in the backcountry, bigger lines and deeper pow when I lived on the Coast but fully immersed myself into it when I moved to Revy in 2017. Since then, my favourite thing is to use those park skills in the backcountry, find tasty-looking lines, build jumps and throw some WOO’s around all day! 

I gotta say though… with all the snow we have in the valley right now, I got an itch to hit some street features.

“I hit it, didn’t die, and was hooked for the rest of the winter.”

Fam Trip to BC + AB, 1997

Rider: Bambi

Rider: Bambi | Photo: Hywel Williams | Artwork: Turbo Bambi

You painted a Rail in the park this year, looks so rad. How did that come about?

Thank you! I’m so grateful to be able to collab with my local mountain for this project! The idea to paint the rail came when Simon, head of the park, complimented my latest mural displayed downtown. For those who aren’t familiar, it’s a 15’x20′ interactive mural called “I hugged a Bear in Revelstoke” in the back alley by City Furniture. You can’t miss it with those bright colours and intriguing characters. 

Following Simon’s comment, I mentioned my interest to do something similar for RMR’s terrain park. Couple of weeks later, he had the perfect rail for me to paint, which also happens to be my favorite rail to ride. The feedback has been phenomenal and it’s given me motivation to steer more of my work in that direction. Who knows, maybe I’ll get to paint more rails for next year!

By the way, thank you for shooting it with me! Those photos and clips are amazing! 

Personally, I love to see all these public art pieces like the rail, Art Alleries etc. Do you enjoy these and what effect do you think it has on people and the community? 

I absolutely love creating public art because they’re usually bigger pieces and displayed outside, which adds a certain element of surprise. As an artist, people would expect to see my work at an art gallery or a cafe, but to stumble upon my art in a back alley or the terrain park, is not as predictable. 

My goal with these pieces is to spark curiosity, make people smile, and create a memorable moment when they interact with it. I love meeting people but I also spend a lot of time creating in my studio, so having some pieces out there feels like an extension of myself where I can connect with people without being there in person. A lot of times, people will send me photos of them with my art, and that’s always a great conversation starter. 

“I hugged a Bear in Revelstoke” Mural by Turbo Bambi, Revelstoke BC

Girls Ride Day @ RMR

It was really cool to see you in “Whaddaday!” and working with us (Revelstoke Snowboard Club) to put on the girl’s ride days and your involvement in Louise on Wheels. Could you chat to me a bit more about this and your thoughts on women’s snowboarding right now?

The girls ride day was awesome! Bringing the initiative of the Snowboard Club with the L.O.W. skater posse was a recipe for success! I noticed that some girls who are new to town, took this opportunity to meet people which I think is key in a resort town. I remember my first few months in Whistler, I didn’t ride as much as I’d hope because I didn’t have many friends to shred with. If those ride days can help people connect and ride together, I’m all for it.

Whaddaday - A Snowboard Movie

Funny how you bring up “Whaddaday!” and my thoughts on women in snowboarding becauuuuse… When we went out in the backcountry last winter, I wasn’t necessarily planning on filming or hitting the jumps… I was just happy to play in the snow. I was taking clips of the crew on our first jump and I got curious to try. The first jump I hit had a gap to clear and I was so nervous, my legs were shaking and I had to take a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down. I hit it, didn’t die, and was hooked for the rest of the winter. 

The boys were always talking about how they envisioned the movie, and I was stoked for them even though I never really pictured myself in it. Last summer at the skatepark, Dinomike asked me to come over and watch my part to see if I liked it. I was so surprised! I didn’t think he used my shots, let alone a full part. I was stoked they included me!

The best part was the turnout of our Premiere! Everyone got to get together before the winter, get fired up, and start making plans for the season! To me, this is what snowboarding is all about! 

Good friends, good times, and a ton of adrenaline!!!

Women in snowboarding

Without even realizing, I was excluding myself from the guys’ project, probably because that’s what I’ve seen my whole life — most snowboard movies are 90% men. Then came the all women’s movies like Peep Show, Runaway Films and The Uninvited showcasing INSANE riders. It’s mind blowing what the level of women in snowboarding has become.

“the more you see someone like you do something, the more relatable and attainable it becomes. “If she can do it, I can do it!”

Whaddaday movie premiere - October 2021

I also really enjoy the documentary movies like Our Fabric by Robin Van Gyn featuring women in the snow/surf/skate community. I can appreciate the bangers just as much as the causes these ladies stand for, and their craft. 

The fact that these ladies took the initiative to make their own snowboard movies, not only put the spotlight on how badass they are, but inspired a whole generation to keep pushing. I’m a firm believer that the more you see someone like you do something, the more relatable and attainable it becomes. “If she can do it, I can do it!”

Louise on Wheels

That’s exactly what happened when I started skateboarding with all the ladies from Louise on Wheels. We would all progress at our own pace, and when someone tried something new, it gave everyone the fire and the confidence to try it too. 

Girls Skatenite - Every Tuesday in Revelstoke

Rider: Bambi Photo: Lauren Powers

Whos getting you hyped right now? Snowboarding and Art wise.

– Leanne Pelosi is an absolute sender and pioneer. Along with her ladies’ shred posse, she opened the doors for many women in snowboarding.

– Jessa Gilbert who lives from her art and snowboarding is big inspiration for me.

– The amazing work of Lucas Beaufort, especially on his snow/skate related projects. 

– Jess Kimura’s energy, talent and style. 

Amazing, thank you so much for taking the time and chatting with us. 
To everyone reading you can not only find Bambi’s art work in the RMR park and the Alley ways of Revelstoke but at the following place online IG @turbobambi_design Most importantly support local artist by buying their rad creations!

Revelstoke Mural - Art Alleries

Hugging a Bear in Revelstoke:

An Interview with Artist Turbo Bambi

By Stephanie Azran - Original post here.

Turbo Bambi (aka Claudia Simon) is an artist in Revelstoke, British Columbia who works in both digital and traditional art, infusing all her work with color, fantasy and humour. Inspired by the beauty of the West Coast and her French-Canadian roots, Bambi's work is fueled by the snow, surf and skate lifestyle.

Her first public art piece, “I Hugged a Bear in Revelstoke”, combines Kawaii style illustration and street art in this joyful, interactive mural. Made for the Luna Art Fest, the mural uses bright colours, fun patterns and unique cut-out shapes to get really engage the audience. It’s already a favourite spot for photos!

We asked Bambi to tell us a little more about herself, the mural and her thoughts on public art.

Tell us about "I Hugged a Bear in Revelstoke"

The idea was to create a digital illustration and bring it to life in the streets of Revelstoke, BC. As an outdoors lover, my goal was to bring a little piece of nature in urban spaces with a comical flavour. I’m incorporating an element of interaction with the public by sharing one of my most dangerous dreams: hugging a bear. To realize this, one of the die-cuts is a life size bear, standing up with open arms. Whoever dares to, can hug him, and safely realize their own dream of hugging a bear.

What are your thoughts on public art?

I couldn't be happier with this project being my first piece of public art. The result and the feedback have been phenomenal. In my opinion, public art has the power to bring cities like ours a unique flavour. As a local or a visitor, exploring a new place where local art is sprinkled at every street corner, makes the experience much more memorable.

What would you like other artists to know about working on public art projects?

As an artist, visibility is everything. I'm a firm believer that having a good balance between a presence online and within our communities, is the key to success. In my case, creating a piece of public art required more logistics than creation itself. However, it was one of the most rewarding and meaningful projects I’ve completed in my career.

What are some of the challenges you faced while making this mural?

I definitely underestimated the production time. Once the illustration is completed, there are many steps from digitalizing the artwork, preparing the files to print, approving the colour samples, and so on. Having the timeline dialed is key, especially for a piece that will be revealed for a festival, in my case Luna Art Fest in Revelstoke. With an amazing team, we were able to install the piece right on time for the festivities.

Watch the making of "I Hugged a Bear in Revelstoke"

How did you find out about ALTO™?

Rob Buchanan is the mastermind behind the "Art Alleries" — a public art project that brings art to the back alleys of Revelstoke. He uses this product regularly and refers many local artists to ALTO™ Aluminium. Considering how sturdy the product is and how vibrant the colours are, I wouldn't want to settle for any less. I'm very grateful that I got to use ALTO™ for my piece, and I'm thrilled on the way it has been received by the public. 



Did using ALTO™ impact your plan or design for the project?

ALTO™ was able to recreate my vision to the last detail. As an artist, keeping the integrity of the artwork is a priority and ALTO™ exceeded my expectations with the result. I consider myself lucky to have a graphic design background, which made it easier when it was time to deliver the files and test the colours. From the moment I send the files to the time of unboxing, it's always a little nerve-racking...nothing but perfection in this case!

Thank you to Turbo Bambi for speaking with us. "I Hugged a Bear in Revelstoke" is a mural made with custom shapes and sublimated onto powder-coated ALTO™ Aluminum and installed in Revelstoke, BC. You can follow Turbo Bambi on Instagram @turbobambi_design

Girls Virtual SK8 JAM

Revy Girls sk8 Jam

A virtual skateboard contest for girls by girls.

And the winners are… drum roll please!

BIG SHOUT OUT to everyone who participated in Revy Girls Sk8 JAM 2021 and to our winners Kylene Engleby, Kaleigh Wilson & India! Special mention to Sophie Marques & Siobhan MC who took the highest ollie queen title! Massive props to all the ladies who entered for sending it and showing an insane amount of creativity while bringing all the good vibes! That's honestly what the skateboard community is all about! SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the sponsors, helpers, judges who made this event possible:

• Landyachtz • society snow and skate • Remind Insoles • Revelstoke Snowboard Club • Stoke Youth Network • Canada Skateboard
• Save-On-Foods • Stoke FM • Silverwinds

MUCH LOVE to all the contestants & hoping to get together again for a real-life jam going in the future!

xoxo, Bam

India Shearing - Winner (youth)
Prize: Landyachtz youth complete deck, a set of protection pads & Society Snow & Skate + Canada Skateboard merch.

Kylene Engleby - Winner (adults)
Prize: Landyachtz complete deck, a set of protection pads & Society Snow & Skate + Canada Skateboard merch.

Kaleigh Wilson - Best Progression
Prize: Landyachtz complete deck +
Society Snow & Skate + Canada Skateboard merch.

Sophie Marques & Siobhan MC - Highest Ollie Queens

Click below to see the ladies of Revelstoke give their 110%

Why a skate jam?

When I’m out of the art studio, I’m at the skatepark, blowing off some steam & catching up with friends. This routine formed after entering the skateboard world only a few years ago & instantly got hooked. Since then, skateboarding has put many incredible people in my path, some of which showed their interest in supporting the ladies skateboard community. Considering that Revelstoke is blessed with one of the most positive & inclusive group of female skaters, having support from friends, companies & organizations made my decision of organizing a SK8 JAM, quite easy. Over the years, connecting with our online skate community through @louiseonwheels’ IG, gave us the perfect outlet to showcase everyone’s effort & creativity for this virtual skateboard contest.

Calling all skater girls of revelstoke

Having such incredible support from local businesses, skateboard brands and organizations led to host a virtual skateboard contest for youth & adults, pros & beginners. Starting Tuesday May 25th, 2021, challenges will be poppin’ up on @louiseonwheels’s stories. You’ll have 4 weeks to post your challenges and accumulate points. You could win tons of gear from @landyachtz @societysnowandskate @canadaskateboard @remindinsoles @snowboardclub.revelstoke & @turbobambi_design.

TIME TO SEND

Stay tuned for bonus challenges throughout the event for extra points. Your sense of creativity will be an asset!

All challenges will be revealed on Tuesday May 25th, 2021 on @louiseonwheels Instagram.

Each participants is automatically entered in the weekly prize draw. Overall winners = participants with the most points will be announced at the Skate Jam / BBQ later this summer.

Massive thank you

To @leslie_stoke_youth, @stokefm, @saveonfoods, @thisisourhabit, Silverwinds and everyone involved for their support.
The rules and answers to your questions will be posted on @louiseonwheels & @bambibacon

Canada Skateboard

SheCanSk8

A skateboard community for girls by girls

SheCanSk8 is a movement for girls by girls to build an inclusive skateboard community all across Canada. I had the pleasure to work with Canada Skateboard to design the logo and this is what I had to say about it…

100% SKATE CLUB ZINE

100% SKATE CLUB DROPS A ZINE

Right on time for Go Skate Day.

“As a way to stay connected and engaged during this world pandemic we thought it would be a perfect time to showcase women’s unique perspectives about the skate scene.“ -Marlene Hielema, 100% Skate Club

Fill Zine Here

Tips - Working from Home

My tips on working

from home

Stay home & safe during COVID-19

I learned (the hard way) a thing or two about working from home since the beginning of this freelancing adventure. I figured this would be the best time to share them with the world. What do you struggle the most when working from home? Here are a couple tricks I acquired from experience & friends feedback that might help you!

Getting started

Make a routine you enjoy!

GET DRESSED 
I’m more productive in pants and a little bit of mascara.

MAKE BREAKFAST 
...so you’re not spending the whole morning looking for snacks.

DESIGNATED WORK SPOT
I’m more productive from the kitchen table than the couch.

DAILY PLANNING

DO THE TASK THAT REQUIRES THE MOST BRAIN POWER FIRST.
And go from most to less important.

LET IT BREATHE
Don’t fill every hour. Leave time for the unplanned: phone call, last minute request...

MAKE PLANS FOR AFTER
This will motivate you to finish at a reasonable time.

DISTRACTIONS

Eliminate the temptation. 

PUT YOUR PHONE OUT OF SIGHT.
I hide mine just behind my computer screen. When I don’t see it, I don’t think about it.

WIFI OFF (If you can)

MAKE LISTS

KEEP IT SHORT & REALISTIC ON THE DAILY

You will feel more productive and accomplished by the end of the day. 

*Apply this tip when making your weekly planner.

TACKLE A BIG, BORING TASK

BREAK IT INTO SMALL STEPS
The smaller the step, the easier it is to start.

*Apply this tip when you have a hard time getting started.
Pick the easiest, most enjoyable task first. Once you get started, it’s easier to keep going!

BUNDLE IT WITH SOMETHING YOU ENJOY
- Listen to a podcast
- Make your fav caffeinated drink,
- Find a nice place to work from: At a sunny window, patio, etc.

MAKE TIME TO PLAY

This one is for the workaholics

GIVE YOUR BRAIN THE TIME TO RECHARGE

When your brain is rested, you can be more focused, therefore more productive & creative.
Aaaand you had fun!
Win-Win!

USE A TIMER

SET A TIMER FOR SHORT TASKS
Gives you a sense of urgency & avoid procrastination. 
Ex: Fold all your clothes in 10 minutes

GET A TIMESHEET 
Time each task & report to your timesheet. Knowing how long a task takes will help with your daily planning.
Email me if you need that timesheet

Ouuuh… Piece of CANDY!

REWARD YOURSELF

Get the motivation to finish a task by setting a little reward when it’s done!

Keep movin’

TAKE PHYSICAL BREAKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
You and your chair need some time appart to reset. Stretch, go for a walk, start a laundry load.

*House chores can easily take over your work day. Schedule physical breaks to do one or two house chores and set a short timer when doing them to stay on schedule!

MORNING WORK OUT
A 20 minute bike ride, walk, or yoga sesh. You’ll start your day full of endorphines and prime focus time.

Don’t force it.

This tip was given to me by my big sister on a day where I was complaining on how unproductive I had been feeling lately. This advice can sound counter productive at first, but hear me out….

I was having one of those bad weeks slash month slash season, where I had so much work on my plate, I would freeze just thinking about all the tasks I needed to do. Every morning, I came to my desk with hope that after this 5 minutes video, 10 minutes pinterest sesh and 15 minutes insta feed scroll, I would be relaxed and inspired enough to start my day! Alright… just one more cat video… 7pm would roll around, and didn’t do any work. In fact, I didn’t accomplish ANYTHING with my life... No chores, no physical/social activity, no fresh air, nothing… Now I’m too tired for any of this, tomorrow I will wake up with even tighter deadlines, a messier house, and a few extra wrinkles…

So what’s the advice my sister gave me? “When your mind is not up to it, don’t force it”. Staying in front of my computer procrastinating for hours won’t help me get out of that funk. But stepping outside for a few hours might just do the trick. Or run an errand, so you’ll at least cross something off the to do list. If you have the luxury of making your own schedule, and ever find yourself in a deep dark unproductive hole, keep this tip in your back pocket and use it wisely.

-Bambi

I love hearing your feedback! Tell me about your tips, your struggles, your experience…

Interview for the Nelson Star

Dans l’univers de bambi

Par Amelie Sauquet, de l’AFKO

Après avoir réalisé une murale au Valley Retreat B&B de Revelstoke, elle espère faire un tour à Nelson pour le prochain festival de murales! C’est tout ce qu’on espère!

Elle est une artiste inspirante et inspirée par TOUT, basée à Revelstoke, j’ai posé quelques questions à Claudia Bambi. Comment as-tu commencé le design graphique?

J’ai gradué en2006 duBac en Design Graphique à l’Université Laval. Àla base,j’aihérité du côté artiste de ma mère etdu côtéentrepreneur de mon père ce qui me permet aujourd’hui d’être graphiste à mon compte—Turbo Bambi Design. Par contre, je dirais quel’événement qui a déclenché ma passion pour les arts graphiques est arrivé dans des circonstancesun peu plus sombres. Pour faire une longue histoire courte, à 13 ans, j’ai fêté la St-Jean jusqu’au lever du soleil avecmes amis dans un village voisin. Ma mère n’a pas apprécié donc comme pénitence, j’ai été privée de sortie tout l’été. J’ai donc eu beaucoup de temps libre pour expérimenter sur Photoshop avec l’ordinateur familial. Pas besoin de mentionnerque mon bronzage faisait pitié cet été là. Mais je maîtrisais la souris comme une pro! Aujourd’hui, où trouves-tu ton inspiration? Partout! Je suis inspirée pas absolument TOUT ce que je vois, autant en nature que sur le web. Parfois je suis dans la lune et je  fixe un objet. Plus je le  fixe, plus ilressemble à une créature, un visage, un paysage, donc je le prends en photo et m’en sert comme inspiration pour un prochain projet. J’adore les montagnes et les couchers de soleil (cliché je sais, mais tellement beau!). Sur le web, Instagram est une source in nie d’artistes que je n’aurais probablement jamais connus, si ce n’était pas de cette application!

Tu sembles avoir créé ta clientèle “facilement” à Revelstoke, est-ce que c’était facile

justement quand tu es arrivée? Après une décennie mouvementée deski-bum bar-star à Whistler, j’ai migré vers l’intérieur de la province en 2016 pour pro ter de la poudreuse

légendaire de Revelstoke. J’ai été agréablement surprise de voir à quel point lacommunauté artistique était vibrante et accueillante! Actuellement, il semble y avoir un boom de jeunes artistes et d’entrepreneurs qui font équipe et je crois que je suis simplement

arrivée au bon moment. Mon style “dessin animé” se démarque définitivement dans une ville

où le style “paysage” domine mais c’est probablement pour cette raison que j’ai pu m’établir assez facilement dans la communauté. Qu’est-ce que les gens préfèrent dans ton

travail et dans ta personnalité? Mon p’tit côté humoristique. Ma mission, quand je crée, est de provoquer un sourire, un rire, ou un sentiment de joie chez la personne qui regarde! Quel est un des projets le plus marquant que tu as réalisé en 2018?

LUNA: Revelstoke’s NocturnalArt Festival. C’est un festival d’art interactif pour une soirée seulement, mais absolument mémorable! L’automne passé, j’ai créé en équipe avec Kate Shea et Hayley Stewart, un projet intitulé “ Thee Dream Machine”. On a construit

un dôme qui représente un cerveau, avec des bicyclettes connectées à des lumières à l’intérieur. Les gens devaient y entrer et pédaler pour illuminer le dôme, signifiant, l’effort pour atteindre nos rêves! Ce projet nous a permis de créer quelque chose

decomplètement different de ce qu’on fait dans le quotidien. Personnellement, j’ai trouvé très inspirante l’expériencede travailler avec d’autres artistes et de nouveaux mediums.

Comment vis-tu ta francophonie à Revelstoke? Je pense que c’est très important d’être  fier de ses racines, et en tant que Québécoise immigrée dans l’Ouest depuis 2007, j’ai pris comme mission de défendre les cretons à tous les anglophones sceptique

de cette succulenterecette du terroir. Blague à part, un de mes plus grands dé est de maintenir la langue française en bonne santé dans ma communauté.

Je dois avouer que je la torture de temps en temps, maisquand j’en ai l’occasion, je l’applique du mieux que je peux. Cette entrevue est un parfait exemple! J’espère que je m’en sors bien à date! Quel est ton lien aujourd’hui avec le Québec? Est-ce que tu travailles avec des clients francophones au Québec ou ailleurs au Canada en lien avec ta francophonie? J’ai grandi dans le Bas-St-Laurent (Rivière-duloup,

Notre-Dame-du-Portage, La Pocatière). Je visite ma famille et Chez Ashton dès que j’en ai

l’occasion. J’adore suivre le succès de mes amis et connaissances dans le monde artistique Québécois, par exemple Estée Preda (esteepreda.com), Matel (mrmatel.com) et Jérémie DB (jeremiedb.com).J’ai quelques clients Québécois, mais la plupart habitent dans l’Ouest. C’est le phénomène:  The French Connection. On a tendance à se regrouper sans même s’en rendre compte. J’imagine que notre culture nous rassemble à notre insu! Ce sont les seules

personnes qui comprennent mes références de François Pérusseet de La P’tite Vie de toute façon! Enfin, nous avons une émission de radio 100% en français sur la radio communautaire

de Nelson. Je suis donc à la recherche d’inspiration musicale francophone de tout

horizon.Quelles sont donc tes influences musicales francophones?

Ah! J’ai deux suggestions! Je suisconnectée sur Spotify 24/7 et la semaine passée je suis tombée sur un vieux hit que j’ai ajouté à ma liste: “Mylène Farmer - California”. Ça me rappelait les bonnes années à Musique Plus quand Varda nous divertissait à Bouge de Là!

Ensuite,un de mes amis m’as fait découvrir “Alaclair Ensemble -Ça que c’tait” récemment. Je ne suis toujours pas certaine s’ils se prennent au sérieux ou s’ils se moquent du hip hop moderne, mais cette chanson-là me met de bonne humeur!

Pour retrouver l’univers créatif de Turbo Bambi:

site internet: https://www.turbobambi.com/

Instagram: @turbobambi_design

Facebook: Turbo bambi Design

Pour magasiner : https://society6.com/turbobambi

Claudia Bambi

An Art Residency In The Alpine

Art in the Park

Art & the outdoors, my favorite combo after mac and cheese.

Hiking in the mountains with a group of artists felt like being at the right place at the right time. I enjoyed seeing everyone’s process & use of different mediums. However, the most exciting part was the reunion at the opening reception & the reveal of our work! I always find it interesting to see each artist’s unique take on the same subject.

I could go on & on about how much I loved it but here’s what my peers also had to say:

Alpine Club of Canada by Jackie Pendergast

Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine - Audio Interview by Melissa Jameson

Entrevue à Radio-Canada avec Jacques Dufresne

Revelstoke Review

Art in the Park 2019 Artists

Arleigh Garratt, Camille Sleeman, Cathy Auburn, Claudia Bambi, Derek Dix, Jacqueline Palmer, Jessica Leahey, Karen Millard, Kit Collins, Leslie Savage, Tal Marsolais

Photos: Keri Knapp - revelstokephoto.com

Happy place

"WOW" is the first word that comes to my mind when I'm surrounded by Glacier National Park's stunning terrain. When I reach the summit, my legs are jello but my mind is blown away by the beauty and the force held by these majestic mountains. I could stare forever because this is where I belong, this is my happy place.

36”x36” Acrylic on Canvas
Original (SOLD OUT)

Prints available here

LUNA 2018

The Dream Machine

Timelapse of Luna Fest Project 2018
by
Claudia Bambi, Kate Shea & Hayley Stewart

LUNA 2017

The Drifters

What really happened with my LUNA project
…

…
I woke up around 530 am on a hotter than average spring morning… Why so early? Probably because I crushed a few too many ciders in the sun the day before and passed out hard before the sun even set. Regardless… I set foot outside as soon as I woke up and the sun is hard at work already. Bikini weather to be precise. What a perfect day to get out on the boat, right?

So here we are, floating on Lake Revelstoke, telling beers, and drinking stories. One friend starts talking about a relative famous for his driftwood art and scandalous affairs, then another jumps into the conversation telling us about his driftwood collection, and another friend tells us about how she built her patio out of driftwood… Suddenly I felt less alone with my obsession for driftwood. I’ve always made fun of myself for having a wood collection, but seems like these guys love driftwood just as much as I do… guess we’re all on the same boat! Pun intended.

I love walking by the water and picking up driftwood. The smoother the better! When I lived in Whistler, Tofino was my main source of driftwood. I accumulated so many that I decided to paint and show them in my first ever art show (State of the Art, WSSF). My first driftwood art attempt got a lot positive feedback so it made me want to recreate it at a bigger scale… When I moved to Revelstoke a few years later, I realized that even away from the sea, I could still find an infinite supply of AAA grade driftwood, right by the rivers, The Columbia River to be exact. I was STOKED. Every time we’d dock on a beach, I’d make piles of my top picks of the day in hopes that I can sneak them back on the boat without my boyfriend calling me hoarder.. The reality is, I’m not a hoarder, I’m a maker. I love making things. And driftwood is one of my many sources of inspiration.

A few months go by…

On a dark winter morning, I’m enjoying nice cup of maple syrup with a little bit of coffee while reading the local paper. One of the ads says: Call for Artists – Luna Festival. Immediately, I’m intrigued. What’s Luna? What kind of artists are they looking for? Is this my calling for a driftwood project? I sent in my application, and after a few weeks of crossing all my fingers and toes, in hopes that I would be chosen, I finally got an email from the Visual Arts Centre! I’m IN!!! YOOHOO! Driftwood art, here we go!
At first, I though: easy peasy! All I need is to get the driftwood, paint it pretty and screw it to a wall and we are set! But that’s ludicrous. Nothing ever goes exactly according to plan. It went more like a series of unexpected events. Here’s how it goes:

Unexpected event #1: The Water Level.
At the beginning of the summer, the beaches were loaded with perfectly smooth and shiny driftwood logs just asking to be picked. However, the level of Lake Revekstoke got so high over the summer that the all the beaches were submerged. The only wood left was the one floating on the edges of the lake, meaning that it’s now wet, heavy, and way trickier to collect. Trickier, but not impossible. I spent a full day driving the bumpy logging roads surrounding the lake, dragging heavy af logs into my once “cleaner” car. I got it all home and laid it outside to dry. This happened during the forest fires when the whole town was smoked out so it looked like I was trying to smoke my wood – just to add to the weirdo-hoarder factor (eye roll). Finally, the sun takes all the humidity out but then I got worried about bugs living in there. I can’t take the risk to have bugs because it’s going inside The Explorers Society Hotel… Fortunately, I had a pressure washer handy so I lined up all the wood and just went HAM in every single creases. One thing I overlooked during that step though, is that, pressure washing would take all of the shine & smoothness away from the wood… Which is THE ONE thing that makes driftwood so special. Needless to say, I felt pretty silly on my way to buy a bunch of sand paper & varnish in hopes to find that shine back… Luckily, the shine did come back, but the time I spent doing it is gone forever.

Unexpected event #2: The Location.

To give a bit of a back story, Luna is Revelstoke’s own nocturnal light festival focused on interactive art. The kick off party takes place downtown Revy and festival goers can see and participate in different art installations. Luna paired me with the elegant Explorers Society hotel, which is a modern heritage boutique hotel. In other words, the concrete walls in the lobby are part of the original building, and drilling driftwood into them would probably be illegal. So you can imagine how hard the wheels were turning in my head when I realized that I had to find a new way to display 7 large pieces of driftwood, without any attachement to the wall… Thankfully, Luna gives artists a $500 budget for their project, which came in very handy because the solution wasn’t cheap. With the help of Mount Begbie Machine Works, I got 7 steel stands made to keep my pieces standing on their own. Unfortunately, those stands are not invisible so that brings me to the next step.

Unexpected event #3, The Stands.
I had to find a way to hide the stands because it took away from the main attraction. Since we’re in the driftwood/river/beach aesthetic, why don’t I recreate the riverside rocks with some hand made sand bags. Not only it’ll hide the base, but it’ll also put extra weight on the stands to make them sturdier. A trip to Fabric Land and MANY hours (that I don’t have) later, everything seems to be ready for the show. However, at the last minute, while sewing my rock-looking sand bags, I thought to myself: “Wait a minute, I need this piece to be interactive. Right now all I have is a display, but no interaction…” I had to think for a minute and this is where the bunnies came into play. I decided to sew a couple of backpack bunnies for people to wear at the party as an extension of the main piece. You’ll see why in the pictures… But for now, my piece is done and I can’t wait to set it up for the show!

The Setup
You know summer is over when it smells like Fall on a crisp September morning. I had arrange to install my piece early that day with the help of the friendly hotel manager. He made sure to test drive the backpack bunnies, and as for myself, I went back to bed, to catch up on sleep after this long, exhausting journey of unexpected events.

The Kick off Party
It was pouring rain on opening night, but Revy’s finest locals are not made of chocolate, in fact, they are made of Gore-tex. Bouncing with my friends from one piece to another, I was fascinated to see how diversified and animated Luna turned out for it’s first ever edition! From occupying Mackenzie street, to dancing to the beats of the Explorers after-party, to catching a breath of fresh air in the umbrella alley…It was the perfect event to brighten up the rainy season. My flask was empty so it was time to go to bed, but just before leaving, a man came up to me and said: “My daughter really loves your bunny backpack, can we keep it?” I told him: “Hell ya you can! If my art can make one person happy, I’m happy!” Funny enough, a few months later, I’m taking a walk in the neighbourhood, and I see something familiar in the corner of my eye. There’s the bunny! Still alive and well, just chilling on the patio. That made my day 🙂

Catch the Drift

The Drifters are still in drifting mode but they would love to finally settle in a location where they can shine to their full potential. Either on their original stands or fixed on a wall, they dream of being a statement piece and a conversation starter. If you feel like welcoming a unique piece of art made by a local artist into your home or business, catch the drift: bambi@turbobambi.com

Contact me here to purchase or display “The Drifters”