Fans, followers and friends of White Rock's Elizabeth Hollick (and I'm certain these are not mutually exclusive groups) will be glad to hear that the highly individual, voluble and lively artist – for many years a beacon of artistic expression in the Semiahmoo Peninsula – is on the road to recovery.
Hollick, 80, was hit by a couple of strokes last summer – and they more than slowed her down, daughter Bryony Hollick told Peace Arch News.
"There's no bouncing back from this," Bryony noted.
"But when she does come back, I'm pretty sure she'll be bouncing!"
A slow process of physiotherapy – fuelled and driven by the artist's own incredible energy and spirit – is, however, reaping rewards, she said, and the celebrated drawing and painting motor skills are also returning.
"She's still chipper, and while she's been recovering physically at the Amenida Seniors' Home in Newton, she's been entertaining all the ladies and gentlemen there."
So dynamic has been her recovery that she is moving to a nearby residence, Arborside, better suited to her increasing range of activity, on May 1.
Which raises another problem – and the reason for an upcoming event hosted by the White Rock Players Club on Friday, March 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
A large quantity of Hollick's vibrant, colourful and irrepressibly expressive paintings, as well as a multitude of her sketchbooks, previously stored at her White Rock apartment, can't stay there.
Bryony and her sister Jo have been busy clearing out the space, so that it can be rented out to help fund Hollick's continuing stay in the new residence.
Typical of Hollick's generosity, Bryony said, "she wanted to give her art away to people – to make sure the pieces went to good homes where they would be appreciated."
There would be likely be no shortage of recipients – for more than 40 years Hollicks paintings and murals have been a defining element in White Rock's cultural fabric.
As Bryony noted "there is enormous respect for her work in the community."
In a kind of compromise, many of these paintings will be available at the free Oceana PARC Playouse extravaganza.
Some will be auctioned at the event, while other paintings will have trays underneath them in which interested members of the public can place their names. In a series of draw, one name will be picked for each painting and the lucky person will be taking home a Hollick free of charge.
The only snag is that patrons will have to arrive earlier rather than rolling in later.
"There are only so many people the theatre can accommodate," Bryony said.
"The auction is also going to be very fun," she added.
"There may be some special guests, possibly some characters familiar from White Rock Players Club pantomimes."
Which is entirely appropriate, she noted.
Hollick, a longtime fan of the club's Christmas shows, has long volunteered her skills in design and scenic painting to create an unmistakeably Hollick/White Rock look for these favourite outings, and has become a beloved member of the Players Club 'family'.
She was also the artist who painted the huge mural tribute to the Players Club, "The Wonderful Year We Fell In Love" (after the song traditionally featured in the pantos), which currently adorns the side of the Oceana PARC Playhouse.
There's one big question about the event, of course – will Hollick be there herself?
"At first she wasn't too sure, but as she's been getting better each day, she's now started to talk about what she would wear," Bryony said.
"So while I can't make any promises, it does look encouraging."
The two strokes were indubitably major setbacks for her mom, she said.
"The first one happened on a Sunday, Aug. 4 of last year," she said.
"Ironically that was the same day as the birth of her first great-grandchild, Nash (to Bryony and Jo's neice Sarah Anderson) – also in Peace Arch Hospital, where we took mom.
"So it was one of those things where you see every aspect and stage of life."
Up until that point Hollick has remained a steadfast White Rock resident, even through the passing of her husband Michael, in 2012 and her eldest daughter, Deborah in 2018.
But while the first stroke affected her physiologically – she couldn't move her legs and left arm – the second, two weeks later, affected some cognitive ability, Bryony said.
During her hospitalization, it became evident that she would need to live somewhere where she could receive additional care, Bryony said.
But having frequent visits since with Nash has been a joy and a tonic for her – and undoubtedly helped spur her determination to overcome her current physical challenges.
For herself and Jo, readying their mom's apartment for new tenants has been a challenge of a different sort, Bryony chuckled.
"(Mom) had covered every square inch of her walls with paintings, and filled in every inch of space with bric a brac and other interesting things. It's been quite the project – but we're happy to do it!"
