Indecision. We’ve hit the first gallery on this 12th annual tour; there are 47 more! But the tiny painting is so beautiful and I already know where it will hang, spreading that diffused summer sea light into our living space.

We’re at Alice Rich’s new studio, a gorgeous vaulted area filled with light, art, and red licorice. It’s too early for my favorite candy, and – my partner points out – too early to start spending. We reluctantly say goodbye to our warm and talented host, and sprint off to the next gallery on our tour.

Next is Drumbeg House, the home/studio of writer Naomi Wakan with her children’s books, and works on healing, writing and art; and her husband Elias, the creator of incredibly complex and intriguing geometric wood sculptures.

With his mathematical background, the one-time carpenter enjoys finding interesting visual solutions to challenging, geometrical problems while trying to make efficient use of materials:

"I’ve always liked form. When working in wood, I explore forms that can be constructed by gluing together many identical, simple pieces. The geometric forms that result sometimes themselves serve as units to be repeated and assembled together to form more complex sculptures."

Elias’s art is a journey that echoes, but art is always better seen than explained. This is one of the most visited studios on the tour, averaging 300-400 visitors over the three days. I’m glad we arrived early. Elias says he sells much of his work through the Internet, and points out that many of the collectors live on the Gulf Islands.

There’s no way we can see all of these studios and the work of over 60 artists in two days, so we head to Gabriola Artworks with several aims in mind: to sit down with some of that great coffee and baking and get our head around this mammoth treasure hunt, to interview the owner, Kathy Ramsey, as she is also the President of the Arts Council whose brainchild this marathon is, to get her advice about must-see studios, and to have an opportunity to gorge on the work of many of the local artists in one venue. This two-storey gallery bursts with colour, aromas, silky shapes and vibrant, artistic energy. We wander with our coffees, enjoying west coast watercolours by Carol Evans, emotive oil paintings by Judy Preston, and shimmering creations by glass artist, Tammy Hudgeon, amazed that 90 other island artists are represented here.

She tells us we mustn’t miss Dianna Bonder‘s whimsical and endearing works, or Gallery 401, where Jeff Molloy, who calls himself a farmer of art, creates multi dimensional, multi sensory creations. Using beeswax, organic pigments extracted from plants and minerals and found remnants, he produces irresistible tactile art. I stroke one work that’s painted on a wool blanket. The guest artist sharing the gallery is photographer, Doane Gregory, whose award winning travel and portraiture photography is stunning. Some of his subjects include the Dalai Lama, Johnny Depp and Sharon Stone, just to mention a few. Have a look at his website. (www.doanegregory.com)

Kathy recommends many other studios as well, and we valiantly try our best, often driving bumper-to-bumper, and squeezing into tight parking spots at some of the more popular galleries.

How can such a small island with a population of 4500 have such an enormous active population of artists, I asked Kathy. I’d heard that it had the highest per capita concentration of artists in Canada.

"It’s a very supportive, educated community. The artists here are surrounded by their peers. We can’t control the ferry or housing costs but we can make a community so enriching that artists can’t afford not to live here." She goes on to explain that the arts council offers master classes, workshops and many professional events for their artists, and that networking, marketing, and sharing ideas is a way of life here. This tour, which may well be the largest event of its kind on the Canadian west coast, certainly validates her claim.

We didn’t even cover half of what there was to see: soft leather purses, quilts, pottery, batik and acrylic paintings, mosaics, fashion designs, stone-heater creations, baskets, silver and wooden jewelry, and the beat goes on and on. The local arts council and its Gabriola artists have crafted an art gallery tour into a true art form.

With 15 minutes to spare before the studios closed, we scurried back to Alice Rich’s studio for red licorice and the little seascape. It was still there waiting for us, along with Alice’s smile; she knew we’d be back.

Now it was time to relax after our grueling day of browsing, buying, traffic jams and interviews. The Silva Bay Bar and Grill, with views out over the water, casual service, and no-nonsense, reasonable specials, was exactly right for us, especially as it was close to Pages Resort where we were happily spending the night in one of their cottages. If you like 60s ambience, the smell, sound and heat of a real wood fireplace, the ocean licking under your patio, self catering, and friendly hosts, Pages is perfect, but book early. (www.pagesresort.com)

If, on the other hand, there’s just the two of you and the occasion is very special, you may want to head over to the new kid on the block, and savor the gorgeous home and waterfront luxury of Pilot Bay Guest House. (www.pilotbayguesthouse.com)

The island has a variety of accommodation, from campsites to romantic hideaways, as well as an amazing range of places to eat, so check the Chamber of Commerce website as well: (www.gabriolaisland.org) And if you want to track down any of these artists before the next art tour: (www.gabriolaartscouncil.org)

After an early and delicious breakfast the next morning at the locals’ favourite hangout, Suzy’s, my partner dragged me, weeping, back to the ferry for the short trip back to Nanaimo. This art tour had dredged levels of consumerism I never even knew I possessed. Christmas will be easy this year.