“British Columbia ~ Graced by Nature’s Palette”
​by Frank Townsley

Frank is an avid naturalist and traveler who loves capturing nature’s treasures in both his photography and painting. Immersing himself in the great outdoors has almost been a passion since his childhood. His parents had been instrumental in his appreciation for nature through family camping and sailing. This was no more exemplified than sailing to Hawaii in 1970 on his parent’s 32 foot sailboat (his university graduation present). Born in Vancouver in 1948, he was basically raised in North Vancouver in the shadows of the North Shore Mountains. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia, and later graduated with honours in 1979 from the Art Center, College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he studied watercolour painting under Paul Souza. He then returned to Vancouver and established a freelance practice in both photography and painting. He joined the Federation of Canadian Artists in 1979 and at his first exhibition in the spring of 1980 he was awarded the first place Shell Canada award. Shortly thereafter he was approached by Canadian Gallery Prints and had dozens of watercolour images printed and distributed across Canada. Some of his photography images have graced the covers of several publications, and the cover image of this book was chosen by the Pacific Parklands Foundation, printed on the cover of tens of thousands of flyers. He teaches both photography and painting throughout the lower mainland. This is Frank’s first book, hinting at a possibility of another in the future.
FOREWORD BY ROBERT BATEMAN
“This book takes you on a delightful trip through British Columbia, arguably one of the most breathtaking places in the world.

​Frank Townsley has a perceptive eye which comes through in his photography and his paints. Like his watercolours, each of his photos is a work of art which not only captures the subject, but captures a moment. In art, it is the idea that counts. Early twentieth century author Willa Cather describes art as capturing that ‘shining elusive element which is life itself—life hurrying past us, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose.’”

This is what Townsley does.”
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-Robert Bateman, OC OBC RCA, naturalist and painter  

REVIEWS


​“This book offers everything you ever wanted to know about the flora and fauna of British Columbia but didn’t know enough to ask. Nature lovers will find much here to enjoy, as will Canada-philes... 
A perfect gift for a friend with a mountain cabin and a coffee table.”
–Kirkus Reviews 
(Read the full review)


“British Columbia: Graced by Nature’s Palette gives a real sense of the passing of the seasons and of the province’s diversity of flora and fauna, and all of it well worth celebrating and saving. It will inspire residents and tourists alike to appreciate the beauty of British Columbia.”
–Rebecca Foster, Foreword Clarion Review
(Read the full review)
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SELECTED IMAGES FROM THE BOOK

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AUTHOR NOTES ON CREATING BRITISH COLUMBIA

“Authors for Indies Day” April 29, 2017

What inspired me to produce this book was the fact that a birding acquaintance, who had seen many of my photographic images (and who herself had produced a couple of birding books), suggested I do a book. Pondering on the decision as to what the theme of my book would take, I was finally reached the decision to produce a book of photographic images of our entire province. In addition to landscape images, I chose to include a multitude of flora and fauna images as well. In my decision to include 16 of my watercolour painted images, I received a flattering endorsement from wildlife painter Robert Bateman, whom I’ve been acquainted with for about 35 years. He has been familiar with my work ever since my parents had moved to Salt Spring Island and I displayed my work in local galleries there.

I have been asked on many occasions as to what my most difficult ‘hurdle’ was in producing the book. Without any hesitation, I stated it was choosing which of my over 8,000 images of B.C.’s landscapes, flora and fauna I was forced to ‘not’ include in my book of about 300 images.

My main purpose in producing this book was to encourage residents and tourists alike to explore the many reaches our amazing and diverse province has to offer... in all its seasons. Another purpose was to make it educational, and not just a book of ‘pretty pictures’. As a result, I did extensive research on each region of our province, and in the process, gathering factual and historical information on every photographic image in the book. The artistic side of me influenced my time-staking work in arranging, sizing, and colour-coordinating my images for visual appeal.
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I dedicated my book to my parents (both of whom have passed on), as they were instrumental in exposing me and my siblings to nature at a very young age. Taking us on camping expeditions, and sailing our wonderful coastline in my youth gave me the impetus to explore nature even further. I received my first camera at the age of seven and, as with most professional photographers, am basically self-taught. I continue to teach both photography and painting throughout the lower mainland, and am not discounting the possibility of a follow-up book, contemplating a couple of different themes.