From TEA for the Heart & Soul Deck Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
Friday 27 May 2022
If you’re going to spend at least some of your time on the planet
doing what matters to you most,
you’d better actually start doing what matters most.
- Oliver Burkeman
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
Wednesday 25 May 2022
As one person I cannot change the world,
but I can change the world of one person.
-Paul Shane Spear
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
Monday 23 May 2022
Friday 20 May 2022
May 20, 2022 Chautauqua
If you’ve been reading my columns for any length of time,
and/or known me a long time, you would know that I’m drawn to quirky
information that provides simple ways for us to make our lives better.
I recently received an email about yawning and the health
effects associated with it. Yes, yawning. Something we do naturally, and
sometimes stifle if we’re not in a situation where yawning is socially
acceptable. Yet, this natural reaction is very important for overall health.
"Yawning stimulates a part of the brain called the
precuneus. Yawning supports our sense of being more self-aware and decreases
anxiety. It also supports regulation of the brain's temperature and metabolism,
bringing a sense of increased cognitive awareness and relaxation." (Dr. Andrew
Newberg)
In other words, if you are worrying - yawn. If you are
feeling tense - yawn. If you are feeling like your brain is in overdrive - yawn.
If you’ve been dealing with a difficult person - yawn (but, it might be a good
idea to wait till you are away from the person). If you have a headache - yawn.
If you are spending a lot of time in front of a computer - yawn. If you want a
simple way to detox your body - yawn.
Just 5 minutes of yawning daily could impact your health and
life.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1taLA6j-6QAlnso1kixOL66B619Rou_E7/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 20 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it. If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
Wednesday 18 May 2022
For every fork in the road, there are often two paths from which to choose:
the one you "should" take and the one you want to take.
Take the second. Always take the second.
- Mike Dooley (tut.com)
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
Monday 16 May 2022
Friday 13 May 2022
My Artist Voice #1 May 13, 2022
Welcome to my very first Artist newsletter - since it seems I'm now an artist! :) This newsletter will come out on the 2nd Friday of each month, and give you a glimpse into my varied creative projects, and more. If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, please contact thechautauqua@gmail.com and ask to be added to the mailing list. Feel free to share this with friends who may also be interested. Thank you so much for your support.
I was asked a couple of months ago if my gallery art show was something new, or if I'm finally coming out of the artistic closet. In way, it's both!
While I have been creative my whole life, as I come from generations of crafty women, and I used to sell crafts at markets in my teens and early 20s, "art," as in "drawing" and "painting," is relatively new (if you don't count playing with paints as a very young child). I never took art in school as it was offered at the same time as band, and I chose band. I never really had any occasion to try painting, though I secretly dreamed about it as I would shelve the art books in the library, attend local art shows, and hosted artist talks at the library.
I taught myself to knit and crochet in 2016 (I had learnt the basics in Girl Guides, but needed a refresher), but the only painting I did prior was playing with watercolours with my then-preschool-aged niece. That changed in December, 2016 when I took part in an online retreat (my first ever) and was introduced to Amber of Woman Unleashed. I did my very first acrylic painting ever in January, 2017. So, yes, this is all very new as I've only been painting and drawing for just over 5 years.
Yet, while I was always creating, I never shared that with anyone (after I stopped attending markets). I was challenged by someone in the Woman Unleashed community to share my completed paintings online, so with trepidation I posted them on my Facebook page (and not just in the privacy of the group), and was amazed at the response.
In April, 2020, I joined Inner Circle (an online mentorship program) and have been sharing DAILY my creative progress, finished works, and more there, plus I've shared more on Facebook and in The Chautauqua. On a lark, last fall, I submitted an application to a gallery in Red Deer, and I was accepted, which brought my art to a totally different audience. So, yes, it's also true that I AM coming out of the artistic closet - especially with this newsletter. :)
- I recently wrapped up my first ever solo art exhibition: Persistent Creativity Everyday: a whimsical journey! Showcasing everything from crochet food to acrylic paintings, to cartoon drawings, and more, it ran from January 11 - April 21, 2022 at the Corridor Gallery in Red Deer. I'm very thankful to the staff as my show was to officially end on February 28th, but due to a change in plans, was extended for an additional 7 weeks. If you saw it in person, thank you so much. If you didn't see it, you can get a brief glimpse here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/315848327175895
- April 27, 2022 marked one full year of completing a daily sky drawing(s) on my iPad, and I drew my 800th drawing that day! I would never have imagined that digital art would appeal to me, or that drawing the sky each day would be so rewarding and fulfilling, so this is a practice I will definitely continue.
My 14th cartoon comic booklet (March 23 - May 9, 2022) can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/1846971048838269
Currently, I'm working on...
As a life-long creative, and recently self-taught artist, I endeavour to weave my varied interests and wisdom together in an enlightening and entertaining manner, to make people think, but above all else, bring a smile to their faces and hearts, as my style is almost childlike in its simplicity and playfulness. While bedridden for much of 2017, I developed 5 – 10 minute practices which allowed me to commit to them daily. I’ve been called the “Queen of Small Steps” because my simple practices – though they may seem small individually – have added up to quite a body of work in a relatively short time period.
Celebrations:
- April 27, 2022 marked one full year of completing a daily sky drawing(s) on my iPad, and I drew my 800th drawing that day! I would never have imagined that digital art would appeal to me, or that drawing the sky each day would be so rewarding and fulfilling, so this is a practice I will definitely continue.
Recently Completed:
(Top L-R) Blue Lacy Flower (8x10 acrylic paint pen), Snowshoe Fun (8x10 acrylics)
(Bottom L-R) 100% acrylic knit headband, 9x12 watercolour play/meditation, 100% acrylic knit headband
Works in progress:
- a 9x12 page of watercolour play
- two 8x10 acrylic paintings
- two card decks
- crochet chocolates and candy for my epic crochet food project.
- Continuing my singing/songwriting saga, that began with a 10-Day online Immersion last November, and progressed through the 7-Week Voice of the Creatrix program January - March, I started a 4-month Voice of the Muse album creation program on May 3rd - the goal is to have a full 10-song keepsake album, of the songs I wrote during the Immersion, produced by fall! I still have a hard time believing that I went from not singing or writing songs before the Immersion to now planning an album! I will keep you posted on my progress.
Upcoming Projects:
- select artworks and other creative projects will be available for viewing and purchase at 4910 47 St., Mirror, AB (north of the brick building on the school grounds) on the May Long weekend (May 21, 22 and 23) from 9 - 4 pm.
- I was invited to exhibit at the Donalda Gallery for the Arts July 19 - August 2, 2022. This is an exciting opportunity and I will share more as details are finalized.
Beth
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Thank you so much for your support, and again, if you would like to receive this newsletter directly via email please contact thechautauqua@gmail.com and ask to be added to the mailing list. Thank you!
Select items I currently have for sale can be viewed here: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html or in person at 4910-47 St, Mirror, AB
Wednesday 11 May 2022
If I wait for someone else to validate my existence,
it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.
- Zanele Muholi
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
Monday 9 May 2022
Friday 6 May 2022
May 6, 2022 Chautauqua
My art exhibition
in
While we tend to
speak of different “hats” we wear when describing our various roles in life, I
am starting to see it less of a hat - something external to me - and more as an
aspect of my voice - thus more internal -
as it’s merely a different way that I’m expressing who I am in the world
around me.
For instance, I
express myself in my…
• newspaper and
writer voices through this paper
• family voice as
I’m a niece, sister, aunt, cousin
• friend voice
and many others. While
there are similarities between the voices - they’re all me, after all - there are differences depending on the
situation I am in, and who I am dealing with.
One aspect of my
voice that I’ve recently been learning to express is my artist voice, which has
been quiet for so long, that it seems to have a
If you would like to receive this newsletter in your email inbox, please send an email to thechautauqua@gmail.com and request to be added to the mailing list. Thank you.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ypwvtqyXf0aSuk-ZIXgcDgquvApzMRi1/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 20 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it. If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Wednesday 4 May 2022
To err is human,
but when the eraser wears out ahead of the pencil,
you're overdoing it.
- Josh Jenkins
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
Monday 2 May 2022
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