Cindy Foley

I am an artist and lover of life, living with a hopeful heart. I believe in the magik of nature and the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.  I love the trees and often feel the most peaceful and connected to my soul when I’m wandering in the forest.  

Passionate about the natural world, forests, water, soil, air, I believe permaculture and regenerative agriculture are hopeful solutions to our environmental issues. I am passionate about bees, sacred geometry, music in 432Hz, singing, gardening, yoga, wandering in the forest and painting. My art includes hair artistry, painting, photography, drawing, screen-print design on clothing and sculpting. This is my debut children’s book. I created and made The Ones with found fallen natural materials from forests across Canada, from Nova Scotia acorns to British Columbia pine cones.

Our environmental situation is often a challenging subject to speak with kids about and the issues are complex and many have lost hope and a positive outlook. I believe we have all the solutions to our environmental problems and the capabilities to achieve a positive outcome. We need to work together and make the changes on all the levels of how we operate as a humanity. Each of us has a part to play. We are in this together and together we are strong. Don’t lose hope.  I believe that when we face a crisis new potentials for creation are birthed. It is my hope that for children and adults The Ones inspire a love of nature and a wonder about the genius in nature’s design. 

This book draws on my ten years experience as a school teacher, and there are many school curriculum connections in mathematics, art, science, character education and language arts.This photographic book is also a way to bring the nature of the forests into homes and cities to families that may not be able to access it readily. Along with inspired creativity and a love of nature there is also a theme of respect for our elders. 

A little bit about my career paths. My first chosen profession was Hairstylist which I began in 1996. Later I chose to go to University and graduated in 2004 with a B.A. and B.Ed. I worked as a school teacher for ten years teaching elementary, junior high and high school. For the last five years of my career I melded both careers and taught Cosmetology in high school.  Yoga and meditation have been a big part of my life and in 2013 I also became a certified Yoga Instructor and Reflexologist. While teaching I also worked to put yoga and mindfulness meditation into the Alberta school curriculum where students could take yoga for high school credits. I currently own and operate Carbon Hair Company,  a clean-air, non-toxic salon in the village of Cumberland, British Columbia which I respectfully acknowledge is the Unceded traditional territory of the K’omoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land. www.carbonhaircompany.ca

The unique Cumberland Community Forest that surrounds the village of Cumberland is the backdrop for this storybook. The Cumberland Community Forest Society is a unique environmental legacy project where the community is dedicated to raising funds to purchase the land and forests and return them to the commons, protecting the forests for generations to come. Protecting our middle-aged trees, so one day they can become the next generation of old growth forests. You can learn more at www.cumberlandforest.com

In The Gathering of The Ones, a world of extraordinary little creatures who live deep in the old growth forests journey to a special gathering. A world of tiny critters once invisible, unite to be seen and heard. The Ones join forces to help Humans save our world from our environmental crisis. This is a heart-warming and hopeful story for all ages. 

The inspiration continues. Coming soon, The Journey of Making The Ones, a book to share with you how I make The Ones. 

Please check out more of this website which also includes my photography and my paintings. I usually paint with acrylic, sometimes watercolour and ink. My paintings are often of sacred geometry hand-drawn created with a compass and ruler and runes and viking symbols of my ancestors as well as random inspirations. 

Thank You for visiting my site.