Not everyone familiar with the driftwood birds dotting the Esquimalt Lagoon knows the story of the artist behind them.
Victoria filmmaker John Hilhorst hopes to change that with Birds of Bark, a documentary telling the story of Paul Lewis, the Langford man behind dozens of stoic avian driftwood forms, beloved by tourists and locals alike.
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For his part, Lewis says he would be happy to share his story. Before he became an artist, Lewis dealt with drug addiction and went to prison for armed robbery. But he said thatB次元官网网址檚 where his passion for art came alive.
B次元官网网址淚 had more time on my hands than most people do, so I took to painting and drawing,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 used to do portraits and drawings for other inmates, for their kids.B次元官网网址�
Once he was released, Lewis continued making art. Last year he started creating the now famous driftwood sculptures.
B次元官网网址淭hat just took off with the response from the community. ItB次元官网网址檚 a tourist attraction, people come from all around the world to see it,B次元官网网址� Lewis said, bewildered. B次元官网网址淚snB次元官网网址檛 that crazy?B次元官网网址�
| Langford artist Paul Lewis is the man behind the famous driftwood bird sculptures in the Esquimalt Lagoon, like this bald eagle. (Facebook/Paul Lewis Art Gallery) |
Hilhorst, who co-founded Capture the Moment Media, also thinks itB次元官网网址檚 crazy B次元官网网址� and a darn good story.
B次元官网网址淚 think Paul has an awesome storyB次元官网网址B次元官网网址檓 probably kinda of biased, but I really feel like itB次元官网网址檚 a Hollywood story,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淭he whole character arc that he has in his life B次元官网网址� I think has the opportunity to tell a really inspiring story to people who are struggling with addiction, and is finding a way to put their energy into something else B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 a perfect example of that.
HereB次元官网网址檚 a person who had a really dark past but overcame it.B次元官网网址�
Lewis is hoping the documentary gets the funding to move forward. He said if his story has any lessons, itB次元官网网址檚 not to judge people who havenB次元官网网址檛 always had an easy life.
B次元官网网址淚 want people not to be so quick to judge,B次元官网网址� Lewis said. B次元官网网址淧eople can change. IB次元官网网址檓 a very positive personB次元官网网址� Be positive, be kind to one another.B次元官网网址�
Hilhorst has created a video pitch and trailer for the Telus STORYHIVE competition, which sees hundreds of entrants pitching their ideas for a chance to win funding, mentorship and support to make their vision an on-screen reality. In the end, 15 entrants are voted in as winners, and 15 are selected by judges. For Birds of Bark, HilhorstB次元官网网址檚 target length is 25 minutes with a $50,000 budget.
Film proposals receive B次元官网网址� one cast per person, per day B次元官网网址� towards the big win. Voting for Birds of Bark ends Friday at noon.
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