 I had a perfect day to travel to Bluerock Gallery in order to drop off paintings last week. That space just gives me so much peace and joy...and it's the best place for gifts. The mini hearts were running low so I delivered a few more of those as they're popular for weddings and anniversaries and I was able to bring in these 8x10 framed canoes as well. If you haven't had a chance to pop by or visit their website, I highly recommend it. They carry the work of some of my favourite artists.
 I've finally created an online shop here on my website to share my mini courses. After some challenges with youtube, etsy and my former yahoo email address, I have moved everything to this platform which will make my life so much easier. I can't believe it's taken so long. Anyway, I had to re-film my CityScapes workshop (Painted Hearts is coming soon) but everything else is finally up. To view the courses, which include downloadable PDFs and video(s), please visit my eCourses page.
 "I am excited to see what next year holds for all of us artists! Your project sounds so interesting, and timely. The pandemic has brought with it many losses, but also many opportunities. It can be easy to get lost in the stress and misery of it all, but I do like to look for the silver linings in challenges I am facing….
Besides having our entire year long Studio 52 project, ‘2020 Vision’, de-railed we lost the chance to wrap up the year with our Studio 52 Show and Sale. Gone too were art exhibits, social connections, and earning potential… Many artists were able to pivot to selling their work online, but it was all I could do to haul myself out of the state of creative paralysis I was in for some time. I’m attaching a document describing some of the impacts felt. It’s called 2021: Renascent, Art of Healing - which is what I focussed on during this year." (see below) ~ Cindy Zampa 2021: Renascent Art of Healing A Studio 52 Project “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” Twyla Tharp Like many others, I spent most of 2020 at home. The pandemic has been a double-edged sword, causing a sense of loss, while also inspiring gratitude for many things previously taken for granted. It took me a while to understand, then accept, that our ‘2020 Vision’ project had to be shelved. All the excitement of plans to travel within a 52-mile radius, the anticipation of making connections with people and places in our community, and so many creative possibilities…. Everything had to be put on hold. Released. Grieved. For many months, art making ceased for me, as my attention was fractured and strained by the external stressors in the world. Deep down, I knew it was a normal reaction for me, given the circumstances. I knew it was merely a phase that would end, but still - I could feel my anxiety rising as I struggled in my mind, body and spirit to find balance and health. I recalled some of my training as an art therapist and counselled myself to be patient. Eventually, I learned that being still and exercising self-compassion was the path toward healing. When I did return to creating it was as a type of mental health therapy, to release anxiety and as a means to calm my mind. A pattern emerged: be still; release; grieve; repeat. Now that 2020 is truly hindsight, the new year is calling me forward to continue along my healing path. My curiosity has returned, along with some courage, and for that I am grateful! A sense of hope began to infuse my work in the last couple of months and I began a series of paintings called ‘Looking Up’. I have the urge to experiment, play, learn and explore. Now, the cycle is: be still; release; grieve; give gratitude; repeat. Creating art is a healing act. Yes, it requires courage, but it is worth all the benefits it brings to nourishing a healthy state of being. Connecting with others, collaborating, engaging in conversations, sharing struggles and successes… all are important factors in the journey towards healing. Now, more than ever, art is important! I do hope you will join me on my healing journey. Perhaps you will even be inspired to create some of your own ‘Art of Healing’ in 2021? With a full heART of healing wishes for all, Cindy  There are two reasons I love altering books...the first is that I get to save a book that would otherwise be thrown out and the second is that I get to explore a variety of media - it's all about play. Whenever I select a book, typically from our public library, the first thing I do is to remove any damaged and loose pages. In order to reinforce those areas, I adhere the two opposing pages together using matte or gel media. On occasion I will also glue in ribbons or use bookbinding tape as well. Inside I incorporate drawings, paintings, gesso, craft paints, anything that is matte and won't stick together. I also create a theme and this time I used the title of the book which is 'To Be Where You Are' and because that phrase reminds me to be present in my life, I have decided to incorporate drawings and paintings that mean something to me, mostly something from my immediate environment. As I work, I also like to incorporate tags and ribbons as I love items popping out the sides of the book. The funny thing was that initially I was going to create a black and white book, but it didn't happen (surprise, surprise) but I already have a plan for the next one. :D   It's been awhile but I'll be joining a group of writers and artists in Airdrie to create a new collaborative work. Initially, an artist is paired with a writer who each then trade a piece of work. The artist will create a new piece based on the artist's writing and the writer will also create a story based on the painting. My contribution this year is titled 'The Trading Post' and measures 20x20 inches. I can't wait to see what comes of this year's collaboration. :)
 I am an emergency physician, photographer and most importantly, a mom and a wife. During the pandemic, life was busy for my husband, Kip - who is also an emergency physician, and I. With our two children, Quinn and Hannah, at home, we alternated caring for our kids at home and working in the ER. We supported at-home learning, focussed on family activities like walks in the forest and card games by the fire, completed household tasks, and worked clinically at the hospitals. In addition to working in adult and pediatric emergency departments I photographed the pandemic response in Calgary. It was a privilege to meet and photograph health care workers, non-clinical support staff, patients and families. Through my photography, I was able to see with more clarity the role of each person, and their kindness and compassion. The pandemic revealed the heart of those caring for the sick and reminded me about the purpose and privilege of being a physician. I have shared my work on Instagram and through local and national media and have spoken to leadership and clinical groups in many locations. I will be publishing a book with Gooselane Editions this fall. It is an honour to be able to celebrate our successes and to bring a human perspective to the pandemic through the stories of patients and families. ~ Heather Patterson   It's been a week of highs and lows...which is probably fairly common for most people, I think. Some of the highs include the invitation to exhibit a portion of 'The Grandmothers' project at the unveiling of the new Trico Living Well community for seniors in autumn. The portraits and the stories will be exhibited together so that any residents and visitors will be able to learn more about each of these amazing women and how they have inspired and influenced others. Plus, the 'Extraordinary Women' exhibit has been arranged at the Airdrie Public Library for November...I especially love it as there are so many biographies & autobiographies of many of these women available at the library. 'Woman's Work' has been progressing so nicely and I am also thankful that so many incredible women have already stepped up to share their stories with me. To learn more and to read about these women, please visit my portfolio page online here.
On a not so great note, I found out that I have early onset cataracts which, apparently, is very quick to advance. I am thankful for terrific medical help and we are hopeful that it doesn't progress as quickly as it might and am glad that I could get glasses that can make any accommodations for now as my vision is extremely important as an artist. The prognosis is good in that surgery is a viable option but for now we'll just wait and see. And though my right shoulder has also been an issue again, that has seemed to slowly settle again, for which I am beyond grateful. I wanted to share this video I made last year about imposter syndrome as I believe artists feel it quite often and even after all these years I find that some days are better than others. I have also (finally!) created an online store here for my eCourses. I lost a few videos which I hope to film again (Hearts and CityScapes) but have made those PDFs available for now. To celebrate that I have finally done this after many years of thinking about it, I have decided to list the full eCourses (PDF + Video) on sale.
 When the schools closed because of Covid, I lost my job as a visiting Art teacher. As I was 64 at the time, I was basically forced into a retirement that I did not want. I loved my work and miss it terribly! It’s been the loneliest time of my life.
~ Carmel Moir  Last night was the Airdrie Amazing Women awards gala and I had the privilege of painting another workplace award...this time for the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce. It is a 10"x10" painting titled ‘Connection’ as that is part of the Chamber’s slogan.
I decided to create an image that reflects business, service and community since the Chamber works together with the business community in order to uplift and ensure success for everyone. I do believe that collaboration and working together is in everyone’s best interest. Since their logo is red, I also wanted to incorporate red in each of the smiling people included. I hope the image captures the feeling. |