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. Last night was the Corsets & Cocktails fundraiser for Heritage Park and I was so thankful that my daughter & I could attend along with an exhibit of 'The Grandmothers'. It is so nice that these portraits have been exhibited at two heritage regions of Alberta as it seems absolutely fitting. The event was focused on the celebration of women making history which was perfect! The food was amazing and the cabaret was so fun. The project will also now be documented in the Provincial Archives of Alberta, of which I think these women are so deserving. And it was so wonderful to spend the evening with my daughter...there is no way I could do everything I do without the support of my family.
The pandemic hit like a freight train. My business was going from strength to strength, we’d just trained a new instructor, I was in the middle of an art residency in a school and looking forward to my son’s wedding. Wham! The business closes overnight and I have to finish the art for the residency alone in my studio. My business was the main income for our family and it now brings in less than half of the pre-pandemic revenue. I think everyone has a word associated with this pandemic that they’d rather not hear again. Mine is pivot. I have pivoted so much I feel like a weather vane.
The good news? I feel like I’m getting back on track, my family has stayed healthy and the business is very slowly picking up steam. The best news? My son and his (now) wife went ahead with the wedding - with 10 people, including the bride and groom and the priest - and it was beautiful. My first grandchild is due any day now. Life goes on. ~ Leah Cathleen We've had some great conversations during Mastrius events...and it's nice that they finally caught me smiling instead of talking :) Julie, Julia & I discussed competitiveness in the art world, something that I disagree with as I believe there is space for everyone and their art forms. In fact, I have found that working and collaborating together we all succeed and the success is even sweeter. That is one of my favourite things about Mastrius...artists supporting artists.
This month I am sharing a set of True North Tarot deck which includes images from my Wildlife, Hero, Sacred Vessel and Wildflowers series. To enter the draw, please email me here or message me or leave a comment on Instagram. The winner will be drawn and shared in the next newsletter (sign up here). Also, look at those beautiful photographs taken by Jennifer at @aknottymala (instagram)...I feel so honoured to have my work featured with her lovely malas.
My hope is to inspire others to consider their own personal journey and its important connection to self-expression. These words seem to have typed themselves as I pondered what my new title should be as I embarked on my creative career in 2013. After twenty years of corporate work, chronic illness and a life changing surgery, I was ready to commit to a creative joyful life.
Since that moment, and over the past 9 years, I have been cultivating my own art practice, honing my skills as a creative facilitator and building and connecting with community through words and art. I have a passion for facilitating and sharing the connection between wellness and creative expression. Art has helped me to heal and gifted me a renewed purpose. Diagnosed with an auto-immune disease in my 20's (and undergoing a life changing surgery at age 38), I sought out creativity to navigate the emotional toll of sickness and uncertainty. I am celebrating my tenth year (2021) living her creative joyful life! We have such tough inner critics which hold us back from expressing - be it through art, words, or emotions. I want to inspire others to connect with their own self expression. ~ Paula Timm I'm thrilled to share that I've been invited to share that 'The Grandmothers' project will be exhibited at the Cocktails & Corsets fundraiser at Heritage Park on April 26.
Awards Reception $150 5-6:00 pm Women making History in Alberta Awards Reception At the Exclusive Founder’s Lounge 6-10:00 pm Join The Event Celebrate Women making History in Alberta! The Inaugural Women making History in Alberta Awards will be hosted at this intimate Reception in the exclusive Founder’s Lounge. Award Winners will be presented as you network with community leaders. Get up close in conversation with Heritage Park’s Costume Designer and Curators as they tour you through handmade and vintage corsets – the mainstay of support for women historically. Enjoy special cocktails and gourmet treats. Guess the mystery artifacts on tour. Then head out into the Main Event. (from 6-10:00 pm included in ticket). Fantastic Gift Bag to take home. The Event $95 6-10:00 pm FUNdraiser fun, fun, fun! Gasoline Alley Museum Celebrate Women making History in Alberta at Heritage Park’s FUNdraiser! Grab your friends and join us for an evening of celebration, gourmet food & spectacular libations, Live DJ and Special Entertainment. Wander through the history of how Corsets supported Women – beyond fashion to everyday success. Meet Heritage Park costume designers, curators and story tellers who create intimate tours of handmade corsets, while fitting you with corsets for photos. Guess the mystery artifacts on tour. Celebrate Women making History Award Winners. Then head up to the Marketplace – shop and meet the entrepreneurs behind women-led businesses and products and participate in exciting ways to win BIG prizes while supporting the important work of Heritage Park. Meet the Artist of the Grandmother’s Art Exhibit – honour the stories of the Women how came before us and reflect on how your life will be remembered. Peruse the Wall of Fame. These two beauties are on their way to Texas along with a couple of grandmothers from 'The Grandmothers' from the Leighton Art Centre. It is always so nice to paint several generations of the same family and to be trusted with this work for such a wonderful family. xo
Artist, creativity coach, weaver, goddess, priestess, connecting nature and art. I help women realize their creative potential. Being an artist in paint, paper and fibers, I have a lot of leeway to create.
~ Kate Robertson I enjoyed myself so much at the Closing Reception of 'The Grandmothers' exhibit at the Leighton Art Centre...it was even more special because my husband and youngest daughter were able to join me. My family has been an incredible support and my cheerleaders for many, many years. And Leighton really is such a special place with galleries, museum, shop and stunning views from the homestead and pathways throughout the property. Next, these incredible ladies will be travelling to Heritage Park for the Cocktails & Corsets fundraiser on April 26...can't wait!
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