Feature Artist of the Month

Featuring Dave Mills

Growing up in Ontario in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, in a family who loved the great outdoors, Dave was quickly introduced to camping and all the joys that came with it. He soon gained appreciation for boating, fishing, and hiking and joined the Boy Scouts of Canada. By age 12, the Sea Scouts group he was a member of had him racing canoes, kayaks and sailboats.

Other hobbies followed as he watched his father, who had a passion for woodworking and carving. Dave was inspired to continue down that creative path and pursue the endless possibilities of working with wood. He also learned the power of the magnifying glass and began to experiment with various designs of wood burning.

Dave moved out to Vancouver Island in the late 70’s. His love of the ocean, fresh water lakes and rivers provided a lifestyle that lent itself to his many hobbies. While living on Cowichan Lake, which has been home for the past 17 years, he began carving paddles out of cedar and burning artwork with glass. He enjoys carving paddles of many shapes and sizes for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding as well as decorative paddles for display.

Dave's work will be on display near the Gift Shop all month long.