"But more is not always better.In fact, the opposite is true.  We are actually often happier with less.  When we're overloaded with opportunities and options, we suffer from what psychologists refer to as the paradox of choice.  Basically, the more options we're given, the less satisfied we become with whatever we choose, because we're aware of all the other options we're potentially forfeiting.

     But while investing deeply in one person, one place, one job, one activity might deny us the breadth of experience we'd like, pursuing a breadth of experience denies us the opportunity to experience the rewards of depth of experience.  There are some experiences you can have only when you've lived in the same place for five years, when you've been with the same person for over a decade, when you've been working on the same skill or craft for half your lifetime.

     The big story for me personally over the past few years has been my ability to open myself up to commitment.  I've chosen to reject all but the very best people and experiences and values in my life.  I shut down all my business projects and decided to focus on writing full-time.  Since then, my website has become more popular than I'd ever imagined possible.  I've committed to one woman for the long haul and, to my surprise, have found this more rewarding than any of the flings, trysts, and one-night stands I had in the past.  I've committed to a single geographic location and doubled down on the handful of my significant, genuine, healthy friendships."

~ Mark Manson

When Marilla Cuthbert and her brother, Matthew, decide to adopt a child from a distant orphanage, they don't get quite what they bargained for. The child who awaits them at the tiny Bright River train station is not the strapping young boy they'd imagined--someone to help Matthew work the fields of their small farm--but rather a freckle-faced, redheaded girl named Anne (with an e, if you please).

Some of my favorite projects are altered books because there are no rules whatsoever and it's a great way to recycle materials in a beautiful way.  I love the fact that you can do anything in the books such as creating black out poetry using sharpees, painting, adding fabric, wallpaper, tissue, or cheesecloth, stenciling or stamping, writing, cutting, adding or removing pages or objects, creating pockets or windows...the list is endless, I look around the house, in shops, and hardware stores for items to add or incorporate found objects off the street.  I like to focus on a theme, which sometimes comes to me immediately and at other times comes while I work.  One of the things I love to add to my books are photos transfers, and though there are several ways to transfer photos, the easiest and most durable is by utilizing clear contact paper which is used to line cupboards and is available almost everywhere.

In order to transfer images, the first thing that is needed is a photo, either from a magazine or photocopy (copies from inkjet or deskjet printers don't transfer).  First I peel a corner of the paper backing off of the contact paper and stick it to the corner of the image I have selected.  It is important to reduce the possibility of air bubbles so as I slowly peel the paper backing away from the contact paper, I attach it to my image while rubbing it on well using the surface of my thumbnail. 

Once the contact paper is well adhered, I soak the image in warm water for approximately 15 minutes.  At this point I begin to rub off the wet paper until I like the look of the image that is left on the contact paper...I tend to rub off more to give it an aged appearance and to make it transparent so that any writing or colour that is on my altered book page shows through.

Here are a few of the altered books I have enjoyed creating:
Altered Books
Altered Book Pages
Altered Art
Altered Books::Rustic Simplicity
Altering a Book

I have been loving the light in my new (old) studio these days...there is something about autumn and how the sun hangs low in the sky that makes the colours in my work pop.  Not only that, but I have far more energy in the fall, which means I spend much more time in the studio creating, and that is always a good thing.  Currently I have three paintings that I'm working on and recently completed a fourth which had been a bit of a challenge this summer but with this renewed energy I have been able to push through my indecision and feelings of intimidation and finally finish!  Fingers crossed for an extended autumn season.

We have begun the weekly Visual Arts Combo classes at Bert Church Theatre and I am so happy with this group of ladies.  They're a such pleasure to spend Monday evenings with and I'm having fun working in a variety of media such as pencil, watercolour, acrylic on canvas (always my favorite!), mixed/reclaimed media, charcoal and printmaking.  An introductory course to become familiar with a variety of materials and, hopefully, to begin a lifelong interest in creating.

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

I'm so excited to be included with this amazing roster of artists for the next exhibit at Lineham House Galleries in Okotoks.  The building is beautiful, the artists are incredible and there is nothing I love more than collaborations.  There is a private artist reception on October 20 for which invitations can be requested through the gallery and the official opening is on Saturday, October 21, 11-5.  Everyone is welcome.

A few weeks ago my daughter and I were invited to contribute to Airdrie's ARTember Mural Mosaic project and I love how it turned out!  Collaborations are some of my favorite things and this one was especially special to work on as it not only involved many of my dear friends but also my youngest daughter.  It's so great that this will be part of our community, part of the park that has been so important to my family.  I really love public art and how it brings the community together.  Here's a little video that was created during the unveiling.

Wisdom of Ancestors / 36x30 / Acrylic on Canvas

The Tower - True North Tarot

The tower can often be viewed as a negative card but I see it as a time of change and transformation.  To me, this card represents upcoming opportunities and looking at things from a new perspective.  Sometimes our world needs to be shaken up a bit in order to take a leap of faith and just because change can be out of our personal control, I have learned throughout the years that this can be a very good thing.

Painting and cards are available through Bluerock Gallery.

In celebration of the upcoming play 'Calendar Girls', Bert Church Live Theatre will be hosting a sunflower Wine & Paint Night on October 6.  Registration is available online here.  The play is a partnership between Nose Creek Players and Ladies Out Loud.

Calendar Girls Paint Night
with local artist Veronica Funk

Date: Friday October 6th, 2017
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Bert Church Live Theatre
Address: 1000 E Lake Blvd SE, Airdrie
Registration: $40
​All supplies, wine and appetizers included!
*Limited Space.

Join us for a Calendar Girls Sunflower theme paint night with local artist Veronica Funk at the Bert Church Live Theatre.  Enjoy a wonderful night of painting with other ladies while enjoying wine and appetizers. Even without any painting or drawing experience, anyone can create a finished painting in an evening using basic art supplies. With a limited palette and a simple step-by-step process, we will be creating a wonderful creation that is contains your energy, creativity and spirit.  Tickets available through Bert Church Theatre or www.ladiesoutloud.ca/events.