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 

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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. 

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