Renée Harper
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Renée Harper
@reneeharper.bsky.social
920 followers 990 following 64 posts
Poet, Artist and College Professor | PhD in CanLit | Lives in Nelson, B.C., Canada, Sinixt territory | she/they | Author of Boundary Territory (2024) | reneeharper.ca | reneeharperart.com
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reneeharper.bsky.social
I’m thrilled to be a part of this year’s Poetry in Transit roster and to be reading at the Word Vancouver Festival in a few weeks as part of the kick off 💚🚊💚

Here are some details on the launch (just in case you happen to be in Vancouver): www.wordvancouver.ca/poetry-tent/...
Poetry in Transit poster feature book covers. Poetry in Transit bus placard featuring a poem from my book Boundary Territory.
August 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
Fresh off the easel 💚🎨💚 Sunshine Bay is one of our favourite swimming spots in the Kootenays. I’m looking forward to getting back there soon ❤️

Sunshine Bay, 28” x 22”, acrylic on 1.5” gallery profile canvas, 2025. Contact to purchase.
Painting of mountains and Kootenay Lake in the summer. Painting of mountains and Kootenay Lake in the summer. Painting of mountains and Kootenay Lake in the summer.
May 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
Spotted in the wild: one of my bestie's @leesadean.bsky.social
books, and my book just hanging out (as it should be).
Book shop window displaying copies of Waiting for the Cyclone by Leesa Dean and Boundary Territory by Renée Harper.
March 15, 2025 at 8:47 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
Things that are keeping me feeling hopeful: taking an art class and being terrible at it; my dog just being; knitting a cardigan while drinking coffee out of my favourite mug; and dog dates. What’s keeping you going?
Sketch of a still life arrangement. A golden retriever sleeping. Mug with eyes on it and a golden yellow knitting project. Three dogs waiting for treats.
February 21, 2025 at 3:46 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
A friend gave me this wonderful book by Richard Wagamese a while ago. I like to flip through it sometimes for the wisdom it offers. Today I landed on this section about Canada. It seems fitting to share.
THE SOUL OF A NATION is in its people and the spirit of Canada is variegated and sublimely diverse. What makes us strong is our diversity, our differences, but what pulls us together, ties us irrevocably into a common destiny, whole and complete and shining, are the strainings of our very human hearts— the secret wish for a common practical magic. It exists. It lives. It sails across the sky once a month as fat and round and free as a dream. You need to step out on the land to see it properly. You need to walk away from all that binds you to a city, to a desk, to a job, and stand where the wind can get at you. And when that moon comes up and begins to sail across the sky there will come a point, if you watch it close enough, that the earth will start to move, to race that moon, and you can feel it spin in the heavens. It doesn't matter who you stand with or where they're from. It happens for both of you. Universal magic inhabiting you, filling you, making you more, joining you, erasing differences. Blue Book Cover that reads: WHAT COMES FROM SPIRIT RICHARD WAGAMESE
February 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
I feel honoured to see my name on this list by @readlocalbc.bsky.social

My book is deeply dug into the soil here, so it feels extra special to see it recognized as regional literature ❤️

www.readlocalbc.ca/2025/01/29/1...

#readlocalbc #bcbooks #poetry
Screen shot of webpage: 14 BOOKS EVERY BRITISH COLUMBIAN SHOULD READ FEATURED • JANUARY 29, 2025 • Picture of book cover. Black and white picture of misty forest. Book title: Boundary Territory by Renée Harper 14 BOOKS EVERY BRITISH COLUMBIAN SHOULD READ FEATURED • JANUARY 29, 2025 • RLBC Any resident of British Columbia is familiar with the urge to explore the offerings of their province. But it can feel easier said than done— where should one start? This list of books is curated to equip anyone from lifelong residents, BC-newcomers, and PNW adventurers in their journey to discover the history and natural beauty of the province. Consider this your toolkit to unlocking BC in all its glory!
February 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
I’ve been going for a lot of long dog walks ❤️ Needless to say, they help.
Golden retriever and stick in a lake. Golden retriever running in the snow Golden retriever chewing a stick in a snowy forest Golden retriever on a snowy trail
January 9, 2025 at 4:13 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For the last day of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this painting I did of one of my favourite places, Kokanee Creek Park 💙 Thank you to all the artists who’ve shared their work over the past 24 days ❤️

‘Kokanee Creek Park in December’
30”x24” Acrylic on 1.5”gallery profile canvas
Painting of the lake at Kokanee Creek Park. Painting of the lake at Kokanee Creek Park.
December 24, 2024 at 5:06 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
My happy place ❤️ Happy holidays, friends. Wishing everyone peace and moments of joy.
Knitting by a Christmas tree.
December 24, 2024 at 4:45 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 20 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this painting I did of a sunset in Riondel. I’ve spent a lot of summer evenings here and never get tired of it.

Sunset from Riondel
30” x 24”
Acrylic on Canvas
Sunset over Kootenay Lake.
December 20, 2024 at 3:24 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 15 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this painting I did of the lake after a big storm 🌈

Rainbow Over Kootenay Lake
Acrylic on 1.5” Gallery Profile Canvas, 40” x 30
Painting of a rainbow over Kootenay Lake. Painting of a rainbow over Kootenay Lake.
December 16, 2024 at 3:44 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 14 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing another painting I did of the north end of the lake 💚

‘Fires Burning to the South’
24” x 18” acrylic on gallery profile canvas.

I’m so enjoying all of the art being shared! Thank you to all of you Art Advent Calendar artists out there.
Painting of Kootenay Lake with mountains and cloud.
December 14, 2024 at 11:43 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
It’s still a thrill to see my book in the wild. Here she is at the always lovely @notablybookish in Nelson BC ❤️❤️❤️

nonpublishing.com/boundary-ter...
Poetry book, Boundary Territory, on a book shelf at a bookstore.
December 14, 2024 at 9:49 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 13 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this painting of Kootenay Lake in early September 💚

Last Camping Trip of the Season
16” x 20”, acrylic on 1.5" gallery canvas.
A painting of Kootenay Lake, mountains and clouds.
December 14, 2024 at 1:02 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 11 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this painting I did of the little valley I get to call home.

‘City Lights’
Acrylic on Canvas
20” x 16”
Sunset over lake and mountains.
December 12, 2024 at 3:55 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 10 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing a painting I did when I was in a bit of a gothic mood. I have still have a soft spot for this oddball painting 🔥❤️🔥

‘O Sweet Incendiary’ 30” x 40,” Acrylic on Gallery Profile Canvas.
A painting of a heart on fire in front of a moonlit lake. A painting of a heart on fire in front of a moonlit lake.
December 11, 2024 at 4:26 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 9 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this painting I did of Nelson from Kootenay Lake. It’s included in the wonderful 2025 Kootenay Boundary Art Calendar by @plumtreelife. This is publisher’s last year in operation before her retirement 💚

www.plumtreelife.ca/kootenay-bou...
Nelson BC and n the spring from Kootenay Lake. Nelson BC and n the spring from Kootenay Lake. Screenshot of Kootenay Boundary Art Calendar webpage. Screenshot of Kootenay Boundary Art Calendar webpage.
December 10, 2024 at 4:08 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 8 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this little painting I did of the moon in December.

“Winter Moon”
8”x10”, acrylic on gallery profile canvas
Crescent moon over snowy forest. Crescent moon over snowy forest.
December 9, 2024 at 4:59 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 7 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m posting this painting I did of the north end of Kootenay Lake a few years ago. This summer, this region was hit hard by wildfires :(

‘North of Lost Ledge’
48” x 36”, acrylic on gallery profile canvas
Painting of mountains and a lake. Painting of mountains and a lake. Painting of mountains and a lake. Painting of mountains and a lake.
December 8, 2024 at 1:15 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 6 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m posting another painting of Kootenay Lake. I spend a lot of my summers off from teaching camping at different spots along the lake 💚 These paintings are really love letters.

‘Sunset Over Kootenay Lake in July’
30” x 24”, acrylic on canvas
Sunset Over Kootenay Lake in July Sunset Over Kootenay Lake in July Sunset Over Kootenay Lake in July
December 6, 2024 at 9:36 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 5 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing another painting I did of Kootenay Lake (I’m a bit obsessed with this body of water). This one is the view from the beach at Ainsworth Hot Springs 💚

Kootenay Lake in June
18” x 24”, acrylic on gallery profile canvas
Kootenay Lake, mountains and an unsettled sky. Kootenay Lake, mountains and an unsettled sky.
December 6, 2024 at 2:05 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 4 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing this painting I did of an old growth forest at the north end of Kootenay Lake. I love these forests so much and hope we can protect more of these spaces.

“Forest North of Lost Ledge”
48” x 36” acrylic on 1.5” gallery profile canvas.
Painting of an old growth forest at the north end of Kootenay Lake. Painting of an old growth forest at the north end of Kootenay Lake.
December 4, 2024 at 11:27 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For Day 3 of #ArtAdventCalendar I’m sharing a painting I did of a summer day from the dock at Lakeside Park in Nelson 💚

Before the Storm
18” x 24” acrylic on gallery profile canvas
Lake with storm clouds forming from the dock at Lakeside Park in Nelson, BC Lake with storm clouds forming from the dock at Lakeside Park in Nelson, BC Lake with storm clouds forming from the dock at Lakeside Park in Nelson, BC
December 3, 2024 at 6:57 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
For day two of #ArtAdventCalendar Here’s one I did of the sunset at one of our favourite camping spots on Kootenay Lake.

“Fires to the West”
24” x 18” acrylic on gallery profile canvas.
Painting of a fiery sunset over Kootanay Lake. Painting of a fiery sunset over Kootanay Lake. Painting of a fiery sunset over Kootanay Lake.
December 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
I’m going to try to take part in #artadventcalendar this year 💚 Here’s my first contribution, which is available though local fundraiser for @aneraorg.bsky.social

“The Quiet Season”
24” x 30” acrylic on gallery profile canvas, 2024.
Painting of Kootenay Lake in November Painting of Kootenay Lake in November
December 1, 2024 at 10:09 PM