Beltline Youth Center

I'm very excited to be joining the Beltline Youth Center in downtown Calgary on May 8 to speak about my journey as a professional artist and to begin a mural with them.  I've met with a young woman who is preparing the canvas and she's lovely...what a wonderful group of people making a difference in young people's lives.

Doing things like this, and the art program at the library as well as sharing my methods and my work with others makes me feel as though I can make a difference for someone else, too.  When I was growing up I often felt like an outsider as I preferred to spend my time alone with my thoughts and art & craft supplies.  Our town centre, which was a test for a northern community, included everything from the arena, hospital, school, and curling rink to shops and restaurants.  This is where I spent much time, between the library and the exhibition centre next door.  I could read a dream and bead and weave and enjoy a variety of exhibits that traveled throughout the country.  I know I've mentioned this several times before, but my favorite and the one that inspired me most, was work by Benjamin Chee Chee.

I do hope that the work I share with the world does inspire someone else to believe in themselves...to know that they are fine just the way they are, that there is nothing wrong with them because they like to be alone to dream and create.  As long as I follow that calling, I am a happy, committed, contributing member of my community.  This life works quite well for me.