This Saturday at 2:30 p.m., wildlife artist Allan Hancock will present his beautifully detailed illustrations in Amazing Animals, the Remarkable Things that Creatures Do — a book written by Margriet Ruurs that encourages children to observe and engage the natural world with a sense of wonder.
Almost 50 of Hancock's stunning illustrations introduce a host of creatures, many of them endangered.
Hancock has had a fascination with the natural world since childhood.
"Every day I am inspired by nature, whether hiking in the mountains, walking on the beach, or driving to the store. Through my artwork, I strive to share those moments of inspiration with the viewer.
"While the subject of my art is the beauty of the natural world, many of my paintings offer a gentle reminder of the impact we have on it. I hope my work inspires each viewer to take a closer look at the natural world and to treasure all that it offers."
Recently Hancock's painting entitled Along The Edgewater —American Wigeon was selected by Wildlife Habitat Canada for the 2011 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp & Print. This is the second time Allan has received this honour.
Before retiring to the Comox Valley, John Peters worked for over 25 years as an engineer in Third World countries.
During the 1980s, when the UN goal was to ensure safe water and sanitation for all people, Peters' work took him to Ghana and Nigeria to install and maintain water systems.
A keen observer of culture and human behaviour, John built on his experiences, the people he met and worked with, to tell this story first in Oasis for Expats and now its sequel Beyond the Oasis.
John writes with a wry humour that strips away the pretensions and earnestness of development work to show real people encountering the same conflicts and challenges, albeit in a setting that sometimes turns the outcome on its head.
Peters will present the fictional and lived story that inspires his writing this Sunday at 1 p.m.
Both author events will be at the Laughing Oyster Bookshop at 286 Fifth Street in downtown Courtenay.
— Laughing Oyster Bookshop