BONA IDEA
It occurred to me that I've been gifted amazing experiences which have taught me wondrous lessons. One of those lessons is that if I don't take myself too seriously, the best lessons and opportunities occur in the biggest mess-ups. The following pages are my attempts to inspire creativity; bring joy and offer healing by sharing a bit of my life with you.
ENJOY!
Christina, the worker-bee...
...but you know
every RMT has a reason why they chose this career path and I'm no exception.
I graduated in Coquitlam, with a Dogwood Diploma and immediately went into the financial industry; a career which lasted for 15+ years which is how long I've been an RMT - Holy Moly how time flies!
In 2005, my marriage proved to become part of the 50/50 statistics which even today, one acknowledges and jokes about - why, I don't know.
I had been upgrading my studies at night-school but it was my sister who suggested another option for my then goal of becoming a veterinary. A school in VA, USA was teaching how to massage horses and dogs. Upon my return from VA, I opened up my first business: Dancing Hands - Equine Sports Massage. Riders became jealous and the idea of seeking further massage education to benefit humans evolved. I graduated from WCCMT's 3000hr program in 2010 and started working in a clinic, as well as opening up a practice from my home called Sapperton Sports Massage. The clinic I worked for, held the contracts to a variety of professional sports teams and athletes in BC. This lead to numerous amazing connections and international opportunities. Also, during that time I was the first equine and massage therapist to register in BC!
In 2017, I moved to Vancouver Island and accepted an offer to worked in a spa-setting on Bear Mountain in Victoria, BC while residing in a fishing/tourist town of 450 people, Port Renfrew - the beginning or end of the West-Coast Trail. A move into the Victoria area also allowed me to work both at the spa, as well as a beautiful clinic on Fort St.
In 2019, I met my husband which took me back onto the mainland and so I also added working in the Surrey area as I commuted more and more into WA. While practicing in Surrey, I felt enveloped into the south-east asian community and learned about cultural awareness from a rising demographic group in the lower-mainland.
On March 19, 2020, we were mandated to stop practicing massage therapy.
This prompted my move to Darrington WA, to be closer to my husband and our off-grid cabin in the woods on Huckleberry Mountain. This we ran as an AirBnB during Covid while we lived in our 1973 Travel Trailer.
During 2021, most of us RMTs were able to work again and I accepted an opportunity to work in the New Westminster area as soon as the borders opened up again - August 2021. I had raised my kids in NW and it was like coming home, however it meant that I commuted to NW (300KM) every month to continue my RMT practice. I absolutely loved the drive and how my patients waited for their monthly treatment. (And still do...)
During 2021, being a new pseudo-citizen of WA, I began working as a waitress in one of the most beautiful restaurants along the Cascade Mountain Loop Highway. The different activities, movements and responsibilities were so contrast to RMT'ing that I found both jobs made for a very happy and balanced working life. Unfortunately, in 2021-2023 I also suffered tremendous sadness in that I lost 3 very important people in my life, in short order.
Their death in a weird twist made my move to be closer to one of my kids, and to the Yellow House on Hutchcroft St in Quesnel a possibility. I wake up with gratitude everyday that it was my parent's hard work, as new immigrants to this country in the 70's, which allows me to be 'at home' once more. The first thing I did, after painting the house Yellow, was to make a studio to practice massage therapy. I also work in the clinics in town and still commute to NW (700KM- weather permitting) every month!
Schedule an Appointment
For Quesnel:
@ The Yellow House - Christina Wegner, RMT
778.888.5427
Dragon Lake Therapeutics
https://dragonlaketherapeutics.janeapp.com
Cariboo Therapeutic Massage Clinic:
For New Westminster:
*Every location charges a different fee, but all receipts can be submitted to your insurance provider for a refund, if applicable.
Christina, the painter...
...but, you know
it started with photographs I took.
Then, I tried to copy the images with a graphite pencil which didn't get colourful until years later. I took as many night-school classes, as the city of New Westminster offered while working full-time; as a mother to three, this was the only option I had. Sadly, I wasn't supported in my endeavours to study art when I graduated, but this was not because of a lack of love, rather a teaching with love on how to survive in a new country. Many people have a passion to outlet their emotions through some sort of art form or another, and to those who have the courage to fight for their need to express it at a young age, I have the utmost respect.
After the pencil, came the fine-tipped pen with water colours. Oh boy, did I enjoy this discovery!
I feel everything in colour. Doesn't that sound absolutely absurd? Well, once I allowed myself the cost of canvases and acrylic paints, I really couldn't be stopped.
It typically always starts with a fine-tipped pen and my watercolours. These I take with me on my travels, but once at home and my experiences have had a time to process, I simply get possessed and within a few hours, the canvas is finished - drying in a corner. My water colours take painstakingly long, while my canvases are almost the exorcism of the entirety - super fast and furious.
I like to a paint at night, preferbaly by candle-light. I think it started this way because I didn't want to wake anyone up, and I felt quiet enough to tap into my creativity. I work terribly under the pressures; having to produce, to finish something 'on time'. I feel almost like a fraud, so I try not to take commission-work.
Once I moved to WA, I found a whole bunch of canvases in the garage of the cabin we purchased. The husband of the artist (who has passed away) allowed me to keep her work. Cynthia's work was the inspiration which I needed to keep creating during some of my saddest moments, stuck in a country with border restrictions.
I also found support in Brenda and Bob, the owners of the restaurant I worked at. They trusted and collaborated with me to host the 'Paint n Sips' nights as a wonderful community event for the long winter nights in the Cascade Mountains.
Of course my work is personal but I do feel that I've inspired a few people to pick up a paintbrush and start creating. I've sold a few of my paintings so it's all about the confidence of putting it out there and not caring what people think. I learned this in my practice as a massage therapist as well. "Those who value your hands and work will be attracted to the way you do your business" - wise words from an instructor at the WCCMT.
Art for Sale
Christina Wegner
Pencil Original - $50
Pencil Print - $10
Ink with Watercolour Original - $200
Ink with Watercolour Print - $50
Acrylic on Canvas (Large) Original - $1000
Acrylic on Canvas (Large) Print - $250
Acrylic on Canvas (Small) Original - $500
Acrylic on Canvas (Small) Print - $150
For more information on sizing and specific art imagines please contact:
Cynthia Melin
Oil on Canvas (Large) Original $1500
Oil on Canvas Print (Assorted Size) - $10-150
*Prices don't include shipping fees from Canada and may vary
** Proceed sales for Cynthia's work will be donated the Bill Melin Retirement Fund
***unauthorized use of images and content prohibited
Christina, the story-teller...
...but you know
if I would have a wish come-true, it would be that I could direct a fictional story I've been writing for in my mind for a long while.
In the meant time, I think that I observe a pretty mundane activity and write the story how I interpreted it; seeing the comical, silliness or a lesson. Most of my stories happened exactly how they are depicted and in some cases, it's pretty apparent that I needed an outlet to journal. Then once I added the pictures to the journal entries, a story (with illustrations) was born.
The many cards I made for my family and friends were the gate-way; then came the full-blown pages of an experience; and lately, I finally started to write. The idea of making my story into a film probably started when I spent literally, thousands of hours during the winter in our trailer. Once we made it pass 6 pm, we would head inside the warmth of our old travel-trailer, put the generator on and slip a DVD from our local library into a player. The library was paramount to our survival during those winter. months along the Suiattle River Road or Sauk River. I could order any movie online and miraculously, the entire state of WA's Library system worked to have that DVD under the 'W' for pick-up within a few days.
Also during that time, I started to write about my experiences as a Covid-19 bride, co-owner of a cabin 10.5 miles off of highway 530, while trying to change my status and remain to be a daughter, mother and myself.. I added a movie for my weekly entries, a book to prove that I wasn't just clued to the TV and a recipe to explain the weight gain. I created a page on Wordpress, but I didn't push the POST button - not for a long time.
What I share here is a glimpse of what is and what may be to come.
For my blogs:
https://christinawegner.wordpress.com/?_gl=1*ies0cq*_gcl_au*MjE2MDg4MDQ2LjE3MzMyNTkzODY.
Books
The Naughty Mice
Written and Illustrated by Christina Wegner
Hard Copy - $20
Soft Copy - $10
Illustrational Stories (Print only)
Prices Ranges $20 - $50
The Camping Act I
The Camping Act II
In Memory of Wade Mohr
Adventures on Huckleberry Mountain Part I
How We Met
City Dog - Country Dog
Rutger and Tanu
Illustrations (Print only)
Prices and Sizes vary - please contact me directly at: christinawegner@msn.com
*Prices do not include shipping from Canada
**unauthorized use of images and content prohibited