Cindy Jaswal is a Vancouver-based mixed media artist who concentrates on environmental issues both in theme and practice. She works with pen and ink drawings, paintings, printmaking, handmade books and photography. She takes inspiration from the natural world around her and pays particular attention to the place where the land and sea meet, spending much of her time observing the areas in and around Vancouver and Vancouver Island. The colours and textures of the coast help to inform her work literally and abstractly.

Born in Victoria, B.C., Cindy studied at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design receiving a BFA in 2000. After the birth of her first child in 2004, she has focused on a series of drawings that evoke the theme of the vessel.

I recently came across a cool local artist, Dave Barnes when reading about a show called Brave Art in Whistler this past spring. Showcasing artists who collectively had one common thread, skate and street culture, the show included over 150 pieces from some of the world's best street and grafitti artists.

I was really excited when I saw this amazing wall art coming out of Vancouver featuring a close-up photograph of the bottom side of a broken skateboard.

Designed by Emily Carr Graduate, Roger Allen and available at his Etsy shop Crooked Walker, these images were made from actual skateboard decks the artist skated on and are an icon of aesthetics and reflect the highly influential street skating pioneers of the nineties.

There will be a cool new craft market happening this weekend in Vancouver called, Got Craft.

Got Craft's first show will be at the Western Front with 30 participants of local artists including See:Be Jewellery by Colleen Baran (colleenbaran.com) (bubbly, cloudy, modern silver) , Adhesif (clothing made of repurposed sweaters), Lauren Elgee (jewellery made of vintage illustrations), handmade books by Another Graceful Thought and some great things from Track and Field Designs (cute animal pins and more).

Brent Comber, an artist and furniture designer (see image - drum table), will be one of the exhibitors at the DV Interior Design & Urban Living Expo happening here this weekend at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, May 4 - 6/07.

Showcasing the west coast's most innovative design products, talents and ideas, this expo is aimed at consumers and design professionals looking for unique and high quality solutions not found in the average home store. It will not only showcase furniture and home accessories but thought-provoking exhibits and interactive displays.

I first came across the works of local craft collective, Hob Snobs (a good name for a band) last summer down at Paper-Ya on Granville Island and instantly was a fan. Hob Snobs is a Vancouver-based art & design collective with a love of craft. They make a charming, eclectic, and fashionable mix of items for the home, closet and everyday living. From journals to ties, everything is handmade with a unique Canadian influence. Think woodburning kits, vintage fabric, screenprinting fused with images of Canadian wildlife with a dash of pop culture.