Wednesday, 29 June 2022

No one is you, 
and that is your power. 
 – Dave Grohl

Monday, 27 June 2022



From TEA for the Heart & Soul Deck Created by Beth Richardson ©2021


Friday, 24 June 2022

Everything you are doing, every decision you are making, is exactly right. 
Because how could it be any other way? All that exists is this moment. 
We make the decisions we make in this present moment 
with the current knowledge that we have. 
It cannot be any other way than the way it is. 
Thus, everything is going the right way. 
 - Jessica Swift

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am
to be blessed 
 ~ Mary Oliver

Monday, 20 June 2022



From TEA for the Heart & Soul Deck Created by Beth Richardson ©2021


Friday, 17 June 2022

June 17, 2022 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I must be getting cabin fever as I had my Ponderings for this paper all figured out, and now that I’m sitting here to type it, I can’t remember what it was!

   It is nice to be able to be outdoors working in the garden - which I finally finished planting the first week of June - though I wish that the dandelions would stay yellow longer if they are going to carpet my entire lawn.

   I was recently watching some short videos with Feng Shui tips for health, and other aspects of life.  The one that intrigued me the most - you know me, the quirkier the better - was to place a rock at the head of your bed to encourage your body to “sleep like a rock.”  I am tempted to try that as the days get longer, and my life will be getting increasingly active in the coming summer months.

   In the meantime, Happy Fathers Day to all the father figures out there.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FjzzxuIyx-E3P76UqpbZXXCcb1DhDKyo/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, 15 June 2022

One day, someone showed me a glass of water that was half full.
 And he said, "Is it half full or half empty?" 
So I drank the water. No more problem.
 ~ Alexander Jodorowsky

Monday, 13 June 2022



From TEA for the Heart & Soul Deck Created by Beth Richardson ©2021


Friday, 10 June 2022

My Artist Voice #2 June 10, 2022

   Welcome to my second Artist Newsletter.  Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed to date.  If you would like to receive this newsletter via email subscription, 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.

  For years, I wanted a labyrinth at home, and I received a wooden finger labyrinth one year for my birthday, plus, for a couple of winters, I created simple spiral labyrinths in the snow in the garden space.  

   In 2020, a year after mom had passed away, I decided to see if I could create one outside.  My thought was to just mark out the path with a rake to see if it would even work, as I knew that "in theory" I'd have more growing space.  Well, one thing led to another, and before I knew it, I had a tentative path laid out, but then I needed to plant the garden, so further work was put on hold.  Then I needed a more definite way to mark the path (as the twine I put on the ground didn't stay put - even held down by rocks!), so I put old newspapers down with wood chips layered on top - and I simplified the path's design - which was fine till the wind blew!  I asked around, and was offered some rocks from a local farmer's rock pile, and 7 trips later (I had help getting all but the last 2 loads!) I had the path lined with rocks.  I was pretty impressed with myself as I didn't expect I'd get that far in just a handful of months.
   In 2021, I widened the path as it was too narrow - which meant moving EVERY single rock again.  I was able to plant more intensively, which really helped.  I was given some log slices which I used in the space along the fence where I couldn't plant anything.  I put planters out, and all in all, it looked quite nice.
   This spring, we experienced some incredibly strong winds, and most of the woodchips and newspaper blew away, so I knew I needed to do something more permanent.  I repaired the path (touching EVERY single rock yet again!) and then ordered some gravel from Bashaw Concrete.  After 5 days, I had the path restored and a thin layer of gravel on it.  I still need to add another layer, and fill in cracks in and around the outside, but all in all, I'm impressed with my progress this year, and hopefully this will truly be the last time I have to move the rocks along the path!  
   Everything is planted, I just need it to grow now.  You can see more here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/988932705076334

Celebrations: 

- as part of the 4-month Voice of the Muse program, we started off with a bonus songwriting workshop in April, and, during the workshop, we were given a sample audio clip and encouraged to see what kind of song emerged (outside-in inspiration vs inside-out).  I had 4 lines written during the workshop, and on May 19th, I fleshed it out into a longer song.  You can see the result here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/350229127096117 I've now written 13 songs in my life!!!!!! And all in just the last 6 months!!!!!


- I finished my two decks - a 48-card "May I" deck and a 90-card "TEA for the Bitter Times" deck - and on May 27th, they went to Ember Graphics to be printed  As well, I had some of my sky drawings and watercolour play pages printed onto canvas for my upcoming art exhibition in Donalda.

Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter, I've completed...
(top L-R) Watercolour pencil play (6x4.5 mixed media paper), Watercolour play page (9x12 mixed media paper), "Openhearted Giving" (8x10 acrylics), "Just Hanging Around" (8x10 acrylics)

(middle L-R) "Red Lacy Flower" (8x10 acrylics), Inner Circle creativity/prayer box, Watercolour play (9x12 mixed media paper)

(bottom L-R) "Rainbow Lacy Flower" (8x10 acrylics), "Garden Time" (12x16 acrylics), "Unexpected Beauty" (8x10 acrylics), "Relax" (12x16 acrylics)

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on... 
- a 9x12 page of watercolour play 
- an 8x10 acrylic painting

- crochet chocolates and candy for my crochet food project [temporarily on hold]


- In Voice of the Muse we created mandalas to symbolize our album journey over these 4 months.  I have my song list together (not in order yet though), lyrics completed for all 10 songs, and my first (remote/virtual) recording session is set for Saturday, June 11th! Yes, tomorrow! OH MY!





Upcoming Projects: 


   I was invited to exhibit at the Donalda Gallery for the Arts July 19 - August 2, 2022.  This is a very exciting opportunity and I'll share more details in next month's newsletter.


Thanks for reading,
Beth 




~~~~~~~~

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. 

~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much for your support, and again, if you would like to receive this newsletter directly via email please email: 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

Back issues of this newsletter can be found here: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/  under the category "Artist Newsletter"

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

Your work is not to make circumstances happen, 
but to see what is already happening in your current circumstances. 
 - Tama Kieves

Monday, 6 June 2022



From TEA for the Heart & Soul Deck Created by Beth Richardson ©2021


Friday, 3 June 2022

June 3, 2022 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   Not too long ago, I was in conversation with a friend and we were talking about comfort zones, and how I’ve been leaping out of mine in the past few months.

   In the course of the conversation, I said that on a daily basis, I do the EXACT same thing every single day, and someone looking closely at my life would think I’m rather boring.

   Yet, it is because of my rigid (?) set of daily habits, that I am actually able to be so creative, and prolific in my creativity.  By doing the same thing every day, I don’t have to make a lot of decisions about the mundane aspects in my life so I have that energy, and brain space, for other decisions and imaginative work.

   And I have a number of projects currently on the go.  I’m putting gravel down on my labyrinth path - which means this should hopefully (fingers crossed) be the last time I have to move the rocks along the path! Of course, I’ll also be planting it (if not completed by the time this comes out).  I’m preparing for an art show at the Donalda Gallery for the Arts in July.  I’m finalizing two new card decks - and one is another TEA deck. :)  And, by the time you read this, I will potentially know the dates when I will be recording the first 4 (of 10) songs for the music album I’m creating this year.  Oh my!

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ngfdhK2gmqnsEutuaJa_VYKsp-Ow1Fx9/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, 1 June 2022

Going after things you want, 
whether or not you get them,
 makes YOU stronger.
  - Tama Kieves

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