You know how talent often runs in families? This month's artist feature, with painter Lawrence Dyer, is part of that tradition. I first met his daughter, Madeline Dyer, when I discovered her beautiful and powerfully written first book, Untamed (read our author interview here). Imagine my NOT surprise when I saw her father's artwork in one of her facebook posts.

Courtney Quirin is a wildlife biologist turned environmental journalist and documentary filmmaker. She has reported for Al Jazeera America in San Francisco and for The Associated Press in Johannesburg, South Africa. Courtney's first documentary, which was her thesis at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, won the 2015 CINE Golden Eagle Award for Best Student Documentary and the Margaret & William Hearst Award for Excellence in Documentary Film.

Chicago artist Adam Siegel is nationally recognized for the breadth of his work as an abstract painter and photographer. Known for his large-scale works, Siegel presents a soulful refinement to the contemporary category. Influenced deeply by his time in Japan, the artist merges two distinct sensibilities—East and West—with compositions that showcase an elusive and elegant balance of both.

When we travel, we always buy art and textiles from local artists. It's one of the best souvenirs (besides experiences), and really brings back your travel experiences, when you're at home. But what about when you can't always travel - or need a special gift from a place, and aren't headed there soon? I can recommend our friends Bret and Mary at Green Global Travel (you already love their site) - today they are launching a Fair Trade Boutique.

Raphaële Tolron, our photographer of the month, has a beautiful, artistic eye. Whether she's capturing landscapes that lead us to dreaming or looking deeply inside someone's eyes, she brings much to a photo. Raphaële simplifies the essence of what she sees, and beautifully conveys that to the viewer. She takes us to places and people near and far, and makes them extraordinarily vibrant. We want to meet the people she sees, travel to the places she shares. That is Raphaële's specialty - take a look...

I spent time just letting Jillian’s paintings speak to me before I ever read any of her words.

I see the warmth of human beings, animals, and plants, evolving in a rough nature, made of thick layers of elements. I wonder about the mist which is lying over what I can perceive in the background of her paintings, and about the snow. These paintings speak for themselves.

Isaac Wray, a native of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, has always had a sense of adventure and curiosity but it wasn’t until he was in his mid-teens that he discovered his passion for photography. Now at 20 years old, he shoots weddings, lifestyle, and fashion for a living. When Isaac isn’t spending hours to get the perfect shot, he can be found chasing waters and pretty well anything that will immerse him in the outdoors. It is our pleasure to introduce you to Isaac Wray, our photographer for the month of January. 

Nestled just off Stratford’s main square is an artist’s cottage. It is a muted yellow with deep chocolate accents; a white portico with columns entices you in off the street. Enter through the small English cottage garden, past a sign that shows that, indeed, this is an artist’s cottage.

Sarah Kierstead, a native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, discovered her passion for photography only a couple of years ago and at the young age of 19, has proven that she has a eye to capture unique and raw images. She has been traveling around her home province as a lifestyle, portrait, and wedding photographer/filmmaker over the past 10 months professionally - and she wouldn’t have it any other way. With Sarah’s bubbly personality, there is no question that whoever is on the other side of the lens is always made comfortable.

Happy Holidays! Wandering Educators has a special gift for you. This month’s Artist of the Month is the Amazing Newfoundland Sculptor Jim Maunder. His work is absolutely thought-provoking and will make you want to know more about this artist.