Memories of clam digging go back to my early childhood. The earliest I remember earning a wage was at about seven years of age. Every winter the buyers from Prince Rupert would bring a barge out to the village of Kitkatla. Everyone went to the beach at low tide to dig clams, and sell them to the buyers. The weather was cold and wet, and sometimes snowy, so it was to your advantage to work hard and keep warm.

DIGGING CLAMS, the painting, was inspired by all of these thoughts. The painting, however, depicts clam diggers using digging sticks and not the twentieth- century forks of today. The canoe of old has been replaced by the speed boat with its outboard motor. However, each winter there are still hardy individuals who brave the elements to bring home the clams.