In Focus | Adam Temple

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Adam Temple.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Fort St John, BC, but I’ve lived most of my life in Kelowna.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My favourite person is my partner Michele. She’s with me 99% of the time. We work at home together, we climb together, we’re a pretty dynamic duo. She’s actually the main reason I’ve been able to paint this series, because she encouraged me to do it while she worked, even though it meant being unemployed for a few months. So I’ll be in her debt for a good while…

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Well, Chile’s plus 30 degrees right now. I’d love to climb and surf my way through Chile. That country is unreal.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
My favourite store in Kelowna has always been Cecil's Perogies. It’s dingy, unhealthy and delicious. When I was in high school, we’d flock to Cecil’s for their $5 student special, and it has always stuck with me. Another great addition to Kelowna’s food scene has been Zabb. We needed good Thai food, and theirs is very authentic. If you’re nice to them they might even make you some Laab (meat salad).

What is your favourite activity?
My favourite activity is probably snowboarding, with rock-climbing a close second. I also like to surf, but I’m terrible.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos in a heartbeat. Tacos are life.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
The most embarrassing thing that has happened to me was at a wedding. I didn’t have anything to wear so I borrowed a friend’s pair of pants. I don’t generally wear underwear so that day was no different… During the part of the evening when the dance instructors were showing us some dance-moves, this was in Chile so these were some serious dance moves, I thrusted my pelvis and split the back of not-my-pants. There was a shriek from behind me, as we were all in rows mimicking the instructors, and I had to run back to my table where I stayed for the rest of evening, periodically visited by new acquaintances that wanted to drop by and laugh.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The most inspiring moments are, for me, when artists I respect tell me they like my work. I’ve had a few, and with the internet it makes it all that much more accessible and common, but it’s a shock to the system every time. I think it’s a great litmus-test for artists. When artists that you look up to start complimenting you, you know you’re doing something right.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
When I was very young I’d take a walk every Saturday with my grandfather. He was nearly blind, but he knew they trails throughout our countryside very well, and we’d walk for hours, talking the whole time. I attempted to ask him everything about life that I could, and he has since been my primer for future knowledge. He was wise, compassionate and very rational. Probably my first real-life hero.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I volunteer my time to help expand our local climbing routes. I started bolting new routes in Myra Canyon, we call it the KLO crag, in September and I hope to continue bolting periodically. It’s incredibly rewarding work.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I’d create a global constitution. I know that’s a cheat of an answer but it is technically one act. In that bit of legislation I’d make education a right, so free, in every country and that would include post secondary. After graduating from college, in debt and deeply disappointed with the education I’d paid for, I realized that the education system is in serious trouble. It’s purpose now is to create wealth, not skilled labour. I’d also prioritize nature in the global constitution, so that things like fish stocks and ocean health can be globally monitored and agreed upon. That’d be a good start.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
In Kelowna, I like to climb. We have great crags all around Kelowna, and Skaha bluffs is only a short drive away.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I like to sneak away to bolt. When you bolt a new climb, you have to meticulously scrub every inch of the wall that the climber may contact, to make sure that it’s safe and clean enough to climb enjoyably. I lose myself to the process, and it gives me lots of time to think.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I’m really excited about the shape Kelowna is taking. With Accelerate Okanagan, we’re seeing more tech jobs and entertainment studios popping up. It’s great, we should rightly be the LA of Canada, except we have more stuff to do!

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
I’m just going to be honest and say that’s a leading question that is unanswerable. Whether or not Kelowna is great is very subjective, and depends highly on someone’s personal situation. Many people aren’t able to enjoy this town to the same extent I do, and for them, I’m sure it’s not great. If I were to look for an aspect that we have here that’s hard to find anywhere else, I’d would say that because the Okanagan has long been an oasis for people escaping the oil patch, like me, that the quality of Kelowna is not derived from its industry, but from the lifestyle we’re all able to enjoy here. If we can hold on to that value as we grow in size, Kelowna can be great.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Jump out of a plane.
Climb Mount Sir Donald.
Surf in Bali.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I love Korean movies, and you should too.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Instagram

What is the name of your business/organization?
The name of my brand right now is just my name. The show is called 'Peaks of Interest'.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I decided to start this series because I saw a niche in alpine art. There’s lots of it, but no one’s painting the climbers’ favourite mountains accurately, and that’s just what I aim to do. I think of each of these paintings as portraits more than landscapes. These giants are characters that we interact with for the rest of our lives if we care to, so there’s a lot that resonates in their towering faces.

What is the goal of your business?
My first goal with this business is to serve my region. I aim to paint most of the celebrated peaks in BC and Alberta, while giving some money back to maintain the infrastructure of these areas. This time, I’m giving 5% back to the Alpine Club of Canada, to help renovate and maintain alpine huts. If this phase goes well, I may start to look outside of Canada.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
My biggest struggle in life has always been my candor. I don’t beat around the bush, and that offends people. I also struggle with ADD.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I don’t know! I’m just starting this business so maybe ask me again in a couple years.

What do you always find yourself saying?
I always find myself saying 'stop scrolling'… Or at least, I hear it a lot. Michele yells it at me.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I’d spend the day learning from an experienced climber while attempting an impressive route that pushes my level. You don’t have to look too far to find one of them either! There are lots in our province. Kelowna’s Dean Urness or Adam Tutte for instance. They’d be as interesting to me as any famous person. Luckily I already get to hang out with them from time to time.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Another leading question. I don’t. Some things are great to buy locally, and some things aren’t. For instance, my favourite comics come from France. They just do it better there. And while you can buy a decent camper made in the Okanagan, we don’t make cars. I do, however, love to frequent all our farmer’s markets. They’re one of the best perks of living in Kelowna.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I’m honestly not very proud of myself yet. I can do more, and I intend to. This painting series is a start.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
The person who deserves a shout out this season is Chris Posiak. A local climber and carpenter, he taught me the ropes of bolting last fall, and he’s put an incredible amount of work into the KLO crag, along with all the other guys that have put up routes there. Every one of them deserves a thank-you, because they spend their time and money to provide us with beautiful routes, at no cost to us.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Michele Assarasakorn. Yep, my partner. She’s currently colouring comic books for DC and Image comics, and you can find her work in titles such as Gotham Academy and Isola. Isola looks amazing!

Some general comments I would like to share are
Kelowna is a growing artistic hub. As more commercial artists flock into the valley behind studios and subsidies, these artists will begin to offer their talents to the public, like me. Support local artists. They are the lifeblood of our culture, and when it’s good, buying local is the way to go! Also, my paintings are being shown at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna, along the mezzanine section, until April 1st.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.