Fifty Shades with a hint of Steampunk

Yesterday was the 27th annual Granville Island Garbage Can Contest.

Launched in 1986 by the late George McInnis, founder of Granville Island Ferries, as a fundraiser for the British Columbia Children’s Hospital the Annual Garbage Can Art Contest and Auction is carried on each fall by his son Dave and the enthusiastic staff of Granville Island Ferries.  On Sunday, September 22, twenty-five artists will take part in three hours of creative madness, turning plain metal cans into works of art. The auction will be hosted by renowned Granville Island Ferry skipper and broadcasting personality Ian Wood. From 2pm to 2:30pm the tin works of art will be judged, prizes will be awarded, and then the cans will be auctioned off, with proceeds going towards art therapy programs at British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital. For more information visit www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca. (Paragraph borrowed from the Granville Island website)
The weather was definitely not on our side as the strong winds blew the rain in sideways under our tent canopy. In the end there were about 14 of us Artists that toughed out the miserable weather. Unfortunately these lowers the amount raised in the auction by a great deal. On sunny days, we can have 50+ people outside bidding on the cans, yesterday there were about 12 people bidding as they hid underneath a 10 foot squared pop-up canopy tent. Most of the cans sold for under $100 each, when they usually go for well over $300 each.
I love the end result of my can even though the rainy weather kept me from adding my steampunk cog stencil images, etc as planned.  She looks more like a Frankenstein Disco Mama with a fancy for masks and glitter. The “Fifty Shades of Grey” elements are quite subtle, as it is an event for Children’s Hospital.           ^_^
About half way through the 3 hour contest, the tent above me began to leak and my wonderful husband stepped up with our own umbrella in hand and held it above me. Thanks honey!   xoxoxo
My good friend Stella (from Australia) won the bid for my art can and made a lovely donation to our Children’s Hospital charity. Thank you Stella!!!      <3
This was my 5th year attending. Here are some past pics from this contest: CLICK HERE