Ted Harrison raises a hand with welcome in his eyes and a B次元官网网址減leasure to meet youB次元官网网址� as Kaitlyn Webb Patience offers to make some tea.

B次元官网网址淚 always welcome a cup of tea,B次元官网网址� the popular Canadian artist says as Webb Patience, the studio manager, places a hot cup on a tray in front of him. SheB次元官网网址檚 new to the role, replacing long-time studio manager Lillie Louise Major B次元官网网址� perhaps itB次元官网网址檚 why she neglected to have cookies on hand. A fan of a good cookie, Harrison doesnB次元官网网址檛 take his disappointment out on her, but sips from the mug featuring Yukon lore that sheB次元官网网址檚 set on a bright cloth on the tray in front of him.

B次元官网网址�(When) this place closes I want my cup back,B次元官网网址� he tells her.

The small space filled with bright colours on The Ave will close at the end of August, but with a little fanfare. And another visit from the man himself.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always been a passion project,B次元官网网址� Webb Patience gestures to the space that has shown HarrisonB次元官网网址檚 work for the past six years.

B次元官网网址淲hat has to be must be,B次元官网网址� says the iconic artist who turns 86 on Aug. 28. B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 fight whatB次元官网网址檚 necessary.B次元官网网址�

Though he came to Oak Bay nearly 20 years ago, in 1993, the studio waited until six years ago. There, fans from near and far would come and watch him work. B次元官网网址淧eople like to watch artists paint. The artist becomes part of the scene,B次元官网网址� he says. Although itB次元官网网址檚 not one of his favourite things. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 particularly like to be watched,B次元官网网址� he says.

But with a healthy respect for those who purchase his work, he painted daily in the studio.

B次元官网网址淧eople should start to show the buying public respect for what it does,B次元官网网址� he says.

Harrison still finds time, working with watercolour pencils, to create in the B次元官网网址減eaceful and quietB次元官网网址� retirement home where he now lives. He moved to the Saanich residence recently and trips to the studio dropped once he left Oak Bay, prompting the closure.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 do a lot (of painting),B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚t depends on the opportunity and the mood.B次元官网网址�

Harrison is known for his colourful depictions of the Yukon B次元官网网址� where he spent two decades B次元官网网址� and the Pacific Northwest where he spent the past two decades.

At the height of his work he could paint an image a day, but B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 not about speed,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址�(ItB次元官网网址檚) competence.B次元官网网址�

Though the studio is set to close, Harrison plans to remain in the area.

B次元官网网址淚 like painting anywhere,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 think Victoria is a beautiful place to live. I like Victoria because itB次元官网网址檚 a very open community. People accept you.B次元官网网址�

Fans and friends can say goodbye to the studio, and hello to Harrison on Aug. 9 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the studio, 2004 Oak Bay Ave.