Strength through creativity: the lineage of 4 generations of women

This collection of art is from a family of strong females. Each generation weaving their inspiration and wisdom through to the next. Art as an expression of emotions, of gratitude and of community: this collection aims to inspire viewers to reflect on their own inner strengths and tools that open up life’s passions.

One art piece, “Robert’s Creek Sunset” by Christine O’Byrne, will be auctioned off with all funds donated to Tantalus Wellspring Society. Funds raised will offer individuals and families access to mental health & wellness support in our community. Tantalus Wellspring Auction Link

Irene Little (Feb 29 1924- April 24 2025) 101 years young

Irene, a strong matriarch of this family, was born in the UK and separated from her siblings during the war. She served in the women’s corps, later moving to Canada, where she became a sergeant in the Canadian Women’s Corps. After raising three children with her husband Ted, she built a career in fashion as the only woman in the boardroom of the department store, managing women’s fashion as a buyer at Eaton’s. In her seventies, she embraced painting at the West Vancouver Seniors Centre, where she also volunteered for over a decade driving seniors, often who were younger than her. After some private art lessons and group classes, Irene worked mainly in watercolours. Her landscapes and still life paintings are treasured today by family and friends. Irene painted into her nineties, proving it’s never too late to follow your heart. 

Patricia O’Byrne (Jan 30 1921- Mar 21 2016) 95 years young

As a strong paternal matriarch leading these four generations of wise women, Patrica was born in Drumheller, Alberta. After raising five children with her husband Daniel, and a grandmother at the time, at almost 60 years old, she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours. She was well known and respected as the manager of the Fine Arts Center with the Calgary Separate School Board. She was a board member and liaison officer of CRAF (Calgary Region Arts Foundation) and an accomplished watercolour artist. The legacy she leaves includes her love of art, compassion, wit, spirituality, and intellect.

Christine O’Byrne 

Christine pursued her passion in the arts through Alberta College of Art & Design. Her gifts as a graphic designer and doll maker allowed her career to take multiple directions in creativity while raising two daughters, Carolyn and Erin, with her husband Michael. They encouraged their daughters creativity, with many family day trips for creative time in the foothills of Alberta. While the girls sketched and painted, Michael painted with words in his creative writing. As an instructor at the Art Institute of Vancouver, Christine educated the next generation of graphic designers staying true to the heart of artistic rationale, beyond technology. Now Christine supports her two grandchildren to explore their creative talents, alongside her passion for gardening. Focusing on inspired landscapes in oil painting, Christine creates a light, playful and inviting space on each canvas she touches. Contact Squamish Arts for art inquiries and commission requests.

Christine’s painting “Roberts Creek Sunset” (acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11) is the exhibits auctioned art with all its proceeds going to Tantalus Wellspring.

Carolyn Green 

As a long-time resident of Squamish Carolyn offers space for slowing down, listening to the heart and tending to inner wellbeing through her work in Vedic wisdom, meditation, yoga, kirtan, ayurveda and intuitive energy practices including reiki and shamanism. Nature is her church and best teacher so she likes to bring them to life in art to share. Passionate about how music and sound is a powerful path to healing, Carolyn was inspired by this art form at an early age. Her voice and harmonium during her kirtans and other mantra chants offer ancient healing vibrations in many spaces locally and on the north shore. Carolyn and her sister, Erin O’Byrne, often host workshops, trainings and retreats online and in person. In her art, Carolyn plays with light and nature, transferring spiritual inspiration onto canvas, for healing and perspective, helping all those she serves to soften their hearts…even just a little.

Commissions available. carolyngreenwellness.ca

Erin O’Byrne

Erin is a passionate advocate for mental health, sharing her lived experience to foster understanding and resilience. For her, creativity is more than just an outlet, it’s how she makes sense of emotions, weaving them into paint when words are hard to find, and capturing moments in her photography. When Erin’s not creating, she dedicates her time to leadership coaching and fostering workplace well-being and psychological safety, helping organizations cultivate environments where individuals can thrive. Erin also offers wellness workshops as a meditation teacher, often with her sister, Carolyn Green. As a newer resident of Squamish, she also finds peace in nature’s healing rhythms.Through art and advocacy, she is committed to breaking stigma and empowering others to embrace their own paths to well-being.

Commissions and prints of photography available.

https://workwellnesscoach.com/

Fjola Green (13 years old)

Fjola grew up in a creative household with parents, grandparents and extended family encouraging creative expression from a young age. Her passion for colours and creative projects have expanded into her talents on stage through dance. When painting, Fjola enjoys fine details, and pictures of her favourite things. She aspires to continue her dancing and creative pursuits after school.