If you haven’t heard the name Dolf Vermeulen yet, you will soon enough. This talented local filmer/photographer is becoming a household name thanks to his incredible talents, which have landed him some serious street cred this month. 

Dolf is the brainchild behind the stunning new digital short A Tribute to the Sunshine Coast, which has been circulating on social media over the last few weeks. This heartfelt video features jaw dropping footage of The Coast, captured over several years. It’s set to a soulful musical arrangement, and paired with a vivid script, written by Amber Turnau of Substrate Studios and narrated by stenukws (Rita Poulsen) of the shíshálh Nation. This visually arresting piece has really struck a chord with people and received an outpouring of support; including some love in outdoor publication Mountain Life Magazine and our local rag The Coast Reporter. 

So, where did a stunner like this originate?

“Over the last two or three years, I’ve just been stockpiling some amazing shots that I’m really proud of. I thought I should make a project that would allow me to share it,” Dolf explains, adding that he wanted to incorporate a meaningful message. Enter: stenukws, who shared her insights to help bring the narrative to life. 

When he came to me with his vision for this project last year, I jumped at the chance to support it. Dolf, who moved to the Sunshine Coast with his family at the age of two, is the man behind the lens of my beautiful real estate imagery. I like to think of him as a key ingredient in my secret sauce as a realtor. His rich photography helps capture the gorgeous homes I sell up and down the Sunshine Coast. 

I first met Dolf four years ago when he walked into the RE/MAX office, bright eyed bushy tailed (we had both just launched our businesses). I could see something in Dolf straight away. Having worked with creatives in the advertising industry for 20+ years, it was clear to me that he had some talent. I just thought: “This is my guy” for everything I had planned for my brand.

You might be surprised to learn that Dolf is a self-taught photographer and videographer, who might have ventured along a very different path had it not been for a series of events. The Robert Frost poem The Road Not Taken could tell you a thing or two about making choices that change the course of your life forever. In this case, it’s paid off big time for Dolf. 

“I kind of had these big dreams of becoming a businessman and I guess making a lot of money and maybe having my own business,” says Dolf. “That switched for me when I was in university. I took one semester off and did some travelling. I was on a really tight budget and it was during that time that I realized that I had very little money, but I was so happy.” 

If you already follow Dolf, you’ll notice that his visual storytelling often revolves around wild places and wildlife—typically shot here in BC or while travelling. This interest hit a fever pitch a few years ago, when a fishing lodge in Haida Gwaii hired him as their in-house photographer (his first paid photography job): “I think photography and the passion for the outdoors grew together in support of each other.” 

The rest, as they say, is history.

Since his first gig on BC’s rugged coast, Dolf has gone on to work with a variety of clients, ranging from real estate and architecture to the marine industry. Check out his beautiful commercial work.  

“It’s always been nature that inspires me. So whenever I can tie that into a project, it’s super exciting. I really like to work on tourism-related projects—especially nature-based tourism,” he says.

While he’s experienced many incredible moments on the Sunshine Coast, one particular memory comes to mind: He and his girlfriend, Katri, were hiking in the high alpine of the Coast Mountains as the sun rose and its radiant glow enveloped the range with tangerine hues. A magical morning, an epic shot, and a special memory (which you can spot in the tribute video). 

Although Dolf has travelled abroad and lived in other places, he always returns to this place, his forever home that brings him so much joy. 

“Living on the Sunshine Coast, I’ve grown to really love it. As much as I love travelling, I think one of my favourite parts is always coming home,” he muses. “It really gave me a whole new appreciation for The Coast.” 

Connect with Dolf at dolfvermeulen.com, as well as his Instagram and Facebook Page. 

Have you ever dreamed about downsizing (I mean really downsizing) and living in a small space? In recent years—and especially since Covid-19—there’s been a lot of talk about tiny homes and the potential for living a minimalist lifestyle. Living small has many financial, environmental and societal benefits. 

Pam Robertson, Founder,  CEO, and Operations Manager of Sunshine Tiny Homes here on the Sunshine Coast, has been building tiny homes since 2015.

“About four years ago, a tiny home came through my newsfeed on Facebook and I latched onto it. I’ve not had a compulsion like that before,” Pam explains of her initial introduction to this new way of living. 

She started with a personal project. Together with her mom, she built a tiny home, which took a year-and- a-half.  She officially launched her business in 2018 and has already built several tiny homes, with a steady flow of new enquiry coming in. Her long-term vision is to take the business national– and eventually global. 

Pam also walks the walk herself.

“I live tiny,” she explains. “I’m minimalist, I actually didn’t realize I was until my friends called me that.”

Building a tiny home requires a great deal of planning and thoughtfulness. With size constraints, strategic thinking is required to map out the placement of foundational mechanical elements, electrical, and plumbing. Sunshine Tiny Homes provides standardized floor plans, with options to upgrade and customize, thus eliminating that overwhelming question of where to begin the build.

“The clients get to choose what the finished product looks like, what their tiny home looks like,” Pam says. “So they all get to have a bit of character to them, which is what I think is putting us over and above some of the tiny home builders that are our competitors.”

So, who is buying and living in these wee buildings? While the demographics may vary, the mindset around living with less stuff is the common denominator. Some are empty nesters, downsizing from a big house and lots of items and some have always lived a minimalist lifestyle, now wanting to take it one step further. 

Regardless of where you start, it can still be difficult to rid yourself of the emotional attachment to things. Pam provides her clients with downsizing strategies. One tip she shared with me is to take photos of those knick knacks that are collecting dust on your shelves, get rid of the physical items and then add the photos into a digital picture frame so you have the nostalgia without the clutter. There are many more approaches, just like this.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Innes is local Sunshine Coaster who built her own tiny home with her partner Craig Peterson. She says she works hard to maintain her detachment from material things so that they don’t hold as much power over her.

She owns an an adorable little 20-foot, 167 square foot tiny home with beautiful craftsmanship comprised of cherry mahogany, cedar and pine finishings. There’s a full bathroom with a rain shower and a toilet hooked up to septic and a large sink. It’s a wet bathroom, which means that everything gets wet in the bathroom when the shower is on. As such, the floors and walls are sealed so that everything stays watertight. Her kitchen has a three-burner propane stove, a full-sized fridge and sink.  Elizabeth and Craig are now selling their beautiful tiny home – for more details please contact me directly.

“One of the things they say about building a tiny home. Because you’re building tiny, you can put good quality into it.” 

There’s no doubt that people are beginning to take tiny homes seriously.  

“At one point tiny homes were a trend, now they’re becoming a sustainable, viable alternative housing solution,” says Pam.

With the tiny home movement gaining ground rapidly the world over, governments at all levels are trying to keep pace and develop appropriate policy to accommodate and regulate the dwellings. It’s a constantly evolving situation, and Pam is on the board of the Tiny Home Alliance Canada to help advocate for tiny home owners. 

For example, at the moment on the Sunshine Coast, you can purchase property, but must have plans to build a permanent home on it. That said, you can apply for a temporary use permit, which allows for a temporary structure (such as a tiny home) while you’re building your permanent structure. There are many other grey areas and nuances such as this. 

While the initial shell of a tiny home costs as low as $25,000, the average pricing for a 24-foot tiny home can run between $85,000-$90,000 after personalizations and upgrades.  Clients can opt to enhance their space with a luxury bathroom that features a stand alone tub, or a Dave Coyle kitchen, staircases, recessing fridges, murphy beds, convertible furniture and more.  

New this year, Haley Dodge SC is offering financing on Sunshine Coast Tiny Homes at 5.59%APR for $0 down, 20-year ammortization. They will soon have two display models on the lot, which will offer a great chance to explore the homes at a convenient location. Sunshine Tiny Homes can ship anywhere in Canada and is also working on shipping to the United States. 

So, if you are thinking about downsizing to a smaller life, contact Sunshine Tiny Homes, located at 435 Harbour Road, Port Mellon. Find them online at sunshinetinyhomes.com, Facebook.com/sunshinetinyhomes, and @SunshineTinyHomes.   

From Tiny Homes to Floating Homes

Speaking of unique and quirky living spaces, I’m thrilled to announce a listing in the Marina at Gibsons Landing. 1 Shoal Channel is a gorgeous two bedroom, one bathroom floating home situated right on the bustling waterfront of Gibsons. Currently owned by artist Colleen Lumb  https://colleenlumb.com/, this home is being sold furnished. With views of the marina and and close to all my favourite restaurants including Smitty’s, Lunitas and Buono Osteria, this two-level home is bright and spacious with plenty of deck space for your boat. Get in touch if you’d like a viewing!

The Coast is a haven for makers and artists. Each year, the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl pays tribute to the eclectic mix of creators in our community, offering up an array of creative pieces to appreciate. This year, the event runs from October 18-20. With over 360 artists and 186 galleries, the choices can be overwhelming. I’ve put together a list of my favourites below to help make your choice easier. Have a read!

Beth Hawthorn Ceramics (Tours Art Crawl #95)

Beth Hawthorn knows her pottery. When I first stepped into her studio, I was immediately reminded of my childhood and my eldest brother, who also had a talent for ceramics. I remember him showing me how to throw down clay on the wheel. 

The warm and fuzzy emotions of my inner six-year-old came rushing back when I stepped foot into Beth’s cozy and enchanting studio. Beth pairs minimalist colour and texture seamlessly and her design aesthetic does wonders for the senses. I simply adore her work. It’s modern and contemporary, yet timeless. Spend five minutes in her studio and I’m sure you’ll be racing out of there with a stunning piece that will brighten up your mantle piece!

Art Crawl Venue: 1551 Lockyer Road, Roberts Creek

More Info: bethhawthorn.com

Lucas Kratochwil (Tours Art Crawl #105)

Lucas is the new rookie on the block this year for the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl and boy, is he ever talented! I first heard of Lucas through his wife, Janine Pilmer Kratochwil, a brilliant interior designer previously based in North Vancouver. She called me with oodles of questions about what it was like to live and work on the Sunshine Coast. 

It was obvious to me within five minutes of chatting with her, what an exceptional addition to The Coast this pair would be. Four months on, and I wasn’t wrong. The pair have settled into the Roberts Creek lifestyle like ducks to water. 

Lucas is a third-generation Landscape painter. He was brought up in the epic landscapes of Patagonia, on his family ranch. It was hand-built in Austrian tradition by his grandfather Franz Kratochwil, a prolific landscape and portrait painter who trained at the Vienna Art Academy. Lucas grew up surrounded by the Andes mountains, Patagonian lakes and ancient native forests. He shared his father’s passion for living in nature, together with his family’s artistic heritage. They would spend their days working the land, doing fine carpentry, furniture and painting. His father, Robert Kratochwil, is a great figure drawing artist and landscape photographer. 

He is currently creating a collection of large-scale oil paintings depicting the Pacific Northwest region. His realistic paintings have a big impact on the public and help to raise awareness of the vital interaction of people and nature and the importance of preserving the planet’s natural treasures.

Lucas’ work is internationally renowned and has been bought by some pretty big names including the owner of the Vancouver Canucks. Lucas is represented by Mountain gallery and they are located at three Fairmont locations in Whistler, Banff and Jasper. 

Art Crawl Venue: 3514 Beach Avenue, Roberts Creek

More Info: lucaskratochwil.com

Marleen Vermeulen (Tours Art Crawl #11)

“The beauty of the landscape contains a narrative… I listen and I am heard.” 

Clearly, I’m a huge fan of Marleen’s work because I covered her last year too. In my opinion, she is one of our best-kept secrets here on The Coast and a very talented lady that I adore profoundly. 

Marleen is an internationally renowned painter of West Coast land and seascapes. Last year I purchased a beautiful piece from her, which I cherish daily. In my opinion, this is a must-see gallery on everyone’s Sunshine Coast Art Crawl list. 

Marleen was born in the Netherlands, but has lived and worked in London, UK. She moved her beautiful family here to the Sunshine Coast in 1994. Marleen’s work consists of large-scale textured oil paintings on canvas portraying the natural beauty of where we live. She is a professional artist represented by the Kurbatoff Gallery on Granville Street, Vancouver. Add this one to your list.

Art Crawl Venue: 733 Courtney Road, Gibsons

More Info: marleenart.com

Teryl Mullock (Tours Art Crawl #47)

Teryl is also a songwriter, singer and musician and lives in Gibsons.Following a successful career as an architect on the Sunshine Coast, heclosed his architectural practice in 2019 to devote his time to mixed-media art.  

His philosophy is: “artistic practice, a mysterious dance that embraces the unknowable and opens the heart…”

Teryl’s work is a parallel expression of lifelong creative interests that include mixed-media painting drawing, architecture, and making music. His process weaves together discovery and randomness; searching for beauty in the build-up and layering of textures, materials, colours, then selectively wearing them away. The end result serves as a metaphor for life and the passage of time.

I’ve yet to meet Teryl in person, but from my research online here’s another new addition to the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl that looks incredibly promising. I’ll be hitting up his gallery on Sunday to find out more about his work.

Art Crawl Venue: 584 North Fletcher Road, Gibsons

More Info: mullock.ca

Dolf Vermeulen (Tours Art Crawl #22)

When I started my real estate career after leaving the world of advertising, I wassearching for a talented photographer and videographer to shoot both my blog and my listings. Within a month of starting my business, I ran into Dolf.  His portfolio was outstanding– and not just his real estate work, but his landscapes, travel photos and nature shots too.  

Fast-forward three years from our first meeting and he now shoots content for lots of local businesses here in BC, and still travels internationally, capturing wildlife and epic scenery from his adventures.

Dolf has had the good fortune of visiting over 20 countries throughout his

relatively short time on this Earth; all of which have left him with valuable insights and priceless memories. 

“I cherish the travel photos I have taken as they allow me to look back and infinitely enjoy a single great moment,” he says.

If you’ve ever met Dolf, you will agree that he is quite possibly the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He has an incredible eye, an incredible passion for his work and due to his amazing personality he has grown so quickly in his field. 

This is Dolf’s first year participating in the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl and I think he’s bagged the best spot. Dolf is exhibiting at Tapworks Brewing Company in Lower Gibsons. So when your legs get weary and your mouth is in need of a refreshment, make sure you stop off at Tapworks and feast your eyes upon Dolf’s epic photography. And, please tell him I say “hi”. 

Art Crawl Venue: Tapworks Brewing Company, 537 Cruice Lane, Gibsons

More Info: dolfvermeulen.com

Salt and Water Jewelry by Colleen Gould (Tours Art Crawl #95)

What I love most about the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl is that it features so many different disciplines. I caught up with Colleen and her beautiful jewellery at Beth Hawthorn’s Studio. Colleen has teamed up to showcase her work alongside Beth’s. Colleen creates jewelry that is contemporary and sophisticated with simple, clean, wearable lines inspired by the spray of the sea, and the salt in the air. 

A background in arts administration afforded Colleen the opportunity to work with many different types of artists, and she came to appreciate the process, from concept to creation. After learning the craft of silversmithing, Colleen began creating jewelry from her extensive sea glass collection, which was ocean-inspired, beachy, and casual. 

Colleen’s work with silver evolved as she experimented with its properties and personality. She progressed into creating silver jewelry that, inspired by her life living in a small coastal town, her travel, and studies in architecture, reflects the modern lines that she is drawn to. 

Recently, Colleen’s jewelry received an honourable mention for emerging artist from the Craft Council of British Columbia’s “The Earring Show, 2019” and was chosen for a juried exhibition titled “Of Time and Tide 2019” at the West Vancouver Silk Purse Arts Centre. Each new piece of jewelry that Colleen designs in her small seaside studio, reflects her aspiration for creating small batch, quality crafted pieces.

Art Crawl Venues: 1551 Lockyer Road, Roberts Creek (showing with Beth Hawthorn Ceramics)

More Info: saltandwaterdesigns.com

Jane Hennessy (Tours Art Crawl #92)

Jane is a must-see on my crawl every year and her studio in Roberts Creek is stunning.

It was built by the talented boys at Hanson Land and Sea, who also built my horse barn. 

I first got to experience her work when she very graciously let me come visit and look at the build quality of her studio. 

Jane is an expressive figurative artist who works with oil-based mediums, charcoal, graphite, watercolor on panel, canvass and raw wood. If you want to commission a stunning portrait, Jane is your artist. It’s on my to-do list one of these years.

Art Crawl Venue: 1173 Cedar Grove Road, Roberts Creek

More Info: janehennessy.com

Liz Christian (Tours Art Crawl #33 & Tours Purple Banner #13)

When I first met Liz, she actually asked me to sell her home for her in Roberts Creek. I remember walking in and noticing the bright canvasses adorning the walls that almost had a Navajo quality to them. They were stunning. 

Liz paints with colour in a masterful way. My favourite works are her mountains and cliffs series. Maybe it’s because I can see myself trekking on horseback, cowboy-style like I’m in some old Western movie, or perhaps it’s because I simply love the colours and the happiness her work evokes. 

Liz was raised in the San Francisco Bay area, coupled with several years in Paris by a family immersed in art. She found her place/home a number of years ago here on the Sunshine Coast, stating she’s “immersed in the beauty of the natural world engulfing this area.”

“Imaginary snapshots painted intuitively free-form without rules or boundaries,” Liz shares about her work. “I believe that is what makes each individual creation special unto itself with a certain energy all it’s own. Making them precious wherever they find a forever home. I know a painting is finished when I truly love and care for it myself.”

Liz’ studio is based in her gorgeous newly green built modernist home just steps from the marina in Lower Gibsons, which is a piece of art itself. 

Art Crawl Venue: 660 Dougall Rd, Gibsons

More Info: lizchristianart.com

Kube Studios (Tours Art Crawl #52 & Tours Purple Banner #14)

In my opinion, you should actually visit this gallery every day of the week for your daily dose of art and creativity here in Gibsons. But, you should especially stop by this weekend during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl. 

My dear friends and artists Jill Pilon and Jody Youngren own and operate the wonderful Kube Studios. It’s a contemporary art gallery and artist incubator that houses 11 working artists. Their boutique retail space features hand-crafted artisan pieces from the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver and abroad. 

If you’re like me and love art and love shopping for a unique find, then this stop is essential to add to your tour. My favourite thing about this pair is they love connecting people, art and ideas. Here’s what’s happening at Kube during Art Crawl weekend: 

• Live Caricatures with Jamie Daviduk (Jamie is an artist from the Sunshine Coast)

Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 4pm

• Make Your Own Therapeutic Bath Salts with Wabi Sabi Collective

A soothing mixture for aching muscles; stimulating for healing and circulation post workout or general muscle soreness. They look pretty too and make great gifts.

Saturday: 11am – 4pm

• Brujería Studio Tarot Readings (3 card spread)

Saturday: 11am – 4pm

• Bindrune Making/Intro to Art Magick & Sculpting Workshop with Brujería Studio

Sunday: 11am – 4pm

• Paint Your Own Seascape with A Sea of Whimsy (30-minute painting tutorial)

Saturday: 3:30pm

Art Crawl Venue: 875 Gibsons Way, Gibsons

More Info: thekube.ca

Todd Clark (Tours Art Crawl #59)

Last and by no means least, you absolutely have to check out the amazing work by my dear friend, Todd Clark— another favourite I covered for last year’s Art Crawl blog. 

Todd is an abstract expressionist and paints with absolutely no inhibitions. His work reminds me of my all-time favourite painter, Jackson Pollock, yet with a twist.

When you meet Todd he’s actually quite a shy chap, which is kind of awesome. His personality is poured out on the canvases laid out in front of you and they’re a reflection of him and his love of art. 

His talent is very apparent when you step foot in his gorgeous, bright studio. The walls are filled with colour and texture that brings joy to my heart and many others who experience his work. 

Todd also works part time as a teacher at Queen Mary Elementary School in North Vancouver and the creative program he crafts for his students is just wonderful. I wish Todd had been my art teacher as a kid!

The added bonus of visiting Todd’s studio is the menagerie of puppies, peacocks and ponies. Also, the gardens of Todd and Carol’s home are just as artistic as the studio. It’s a must-see on your art crawl.

Art Crawl Venue: 895 Charman Road, Gibsons 

More Info: toddclarkstudio.org

What’s it like to live on one of Gibsons’ most iconic farms? I caught up with Chris Kelly, the co-owner of Pratt Farms, to learn more about this gorgeous property, which has just been put on the market (check out the listing).

Pratt Farm is located on a 9.75-acre parcel of land between Pratt Road and Mahan Road. The stunning property boasts two man-made lakes, two orchards, a six-bay workshop, stunning landscaping and a wide variety of produce and fruits.

The farm is a staple for many people in the Gibsons community, who stop by for a visit or to purchase fresh farm produce from the on-site market stand.

“The property is so visible and it’s in people’s consciousness,” Chris muses. “They drive by and they say: ‘Oh I was just thinking of you today as I was driving by your property.’”

So, how does one come into possession of such a gorgeous property in the first place?

Funny enough, when they first laid eyes on the property that would become Pratt Farm, it was more of a diamond in the rough versus the expansive, lush orchard we see today. It took expert eyes to see beyond the junkyard it was and craft a vision for its true potential. The pair put a lot of sweat equity into clearing and levelling the land and planting a variety of produce and fruit trees. It turns out that the southern light on the property and nutrient-rich soil at the base of the mountain yields perfect growing conditions—especially for apples.

Their dream was to not only have a small farm, but to turn it into a cidery too—hence the 500+ Heritage apple trees! Additionally, the orchards contain sought-after and rare Perry Pear and sour cherry trees for an extra pop of flavour.

Since 2013, they have tended to the land and connected with the community while doing so. Chris explains that they originally began selling product to help make use of the huge property. One of the advantages to this is that they gained farm status and were eligible for tax rebates and write-offs. Over the years, however, the pair (and their farm) have become woven into the fabric of the community.

Chris and his partner originally moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2012, having left the vibrant West End of Vancouver.

“What we didn’t have in the West End was community. There is so much community here. This is what I find over and over again,” says Chris. “People say they’ve won the lottery here because you have a great place and a pristine environment with mountains and oceans, but you also have this amazing community that cares for you, that supports you and looks out for you and vice versa. It’s just a really great way to age and evolve.”

Pratt Farm has built community in unexpected ways, like the time a local beekeeper approached them to house her bees on the land. Pratt Farm is now home to some 35 beehives during peak season, which is a win-win for pollinating crops and for bringing fresh, local honey to the Sunshine Coast

I asked Chris what surprised him most about the property:

“When I have guests come over, it is literally three minutes to walk to Starbucks. And yet, you’re in this secluded area. You’re in this area where there’s just trees all around you. You’ll never believe there’s three liquor stores five-minutes away (thank God) and you’ll never believe there’s a Starbucks. The whole town is literally at your doorstep and you’re not seeing any of it from where you are. It’s such a prime location.”

With its size, growing potential and the incredible groundwork that has already been laid on this property, there is plenty of opportunity to expand both the personal and commercial usages of this land.

“What I’ve learned about people on the coast is that people want to cobble together a life here. It’s not just one thing they want to focus on. They want to wear several hats,” says Chris. “This is really a great way to develop a life is to have not just one thing happening on the property, but several things. You could rent some space on it, you could do a Bed and Breakfast on it, you could do a U-Pick and have families come in and pick apples, you could open up a bakery and have all the ingredients for pie and jam. There are just so many different ways to cobble together a life here on Pratt Farm.”

With a versatile property like this, the sky ‘s the limit!

Interested in learning more about Pratt Farm? Contact me and let’s chat!