Nanci Cook
has lived on Quadra Island for
16 years with her husband Tracy Tomlinson. Operating Firesign Art & Design is a
culmination of her life's work: blending her love of art and the beauty of the
islands with her training and experience in the tourism and hospitality
industry. She stumbled upon Norwex products on the
Canada BB Hosts forum when other B&B
operators were raving about the mattress cleaner. She contacted Sharon Kuzyk and
decided to offer Norwex products for sale, available through Firesign. Nanci
uses Norwex for all her cleaning in the B&B and studio.
Nanci has training and certification in Food Safe, Super Host, Food & Beverage Management and graduated from North Island College with her diploma in Tourism & Hospitality. She worked at the Heriot Bay Inn (HBI) on Quadra Island for five years, starting out as night auditor and night supervisor, with the job growing into gift shop manager, marketing manager and in-house graphic designer. Nanci was commissioned by the HBI owner Lorraine Wright to paint the nine paintings that hang in the dining room and lounge
Nanci Cook was a studio potter for 15 years on Hornby Island, BC with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts & Crafts and their History from the University of Santa Cruz, California. After chronic pain and tendinitis made pottery impossible, Nanci studied painting with Al Johnsen in Gig Harbour, WA, and at North Island College in Courtenay BC. Nanci created Firesign Art & Design Studio and B&B with Tracy's help and started to host painting workshops, taught by guest artists. She always invites the artists whose work excite her and also have strong teaching abilities. She is painting and selling some of her paintings and cards locally. Please have a look at her painting gallery.
Tracy Tomlinson is a full-time crew member on the Powell River Queen (the Quadra Island ferry) and enjoys meeting new people. He is a certified mechanic, marine engineer, and all-around Mr. Fix-it, with many creative interests such as: sailing, wilderness camping, paper airplanes, 3D photography and Mars. He has created some booklets with scenes of Quadra portrayed in 3D- just look through the red and blue glasses and you feel like you are there! Right now Tracy is putting a book together about the Native history and culture on Quadra Island. He has become quite passionate about flying his remote control helicopter and airplane.
Nanci and Tracy are members of the BC Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Guild, Tourism BC, Canadabbhosts, Discovery Island Chamber of Commerce, Quadra Island Studio Tour, the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce, and the BC Art Teachers Association.
Nanci and Tracy cordially invite you to visit and enjoy their comfortable home, friendly hospitality and the beauty of the changing seasons on Quadra Island.
