As I mentioned in my last newsletter, my first (remote/virtual) recording session was June 11th. I freely admit that I was VERY nervous and scared as I had NO idea what to expect, and we had the added concern of technology to deal with, and we all know how temperamental technology can be! Thankfully TJ Moss and Laura Rose are a treat to work with, and were very good at putting me at ease.
We got all the tech to work! Yippee! Then I started recording the first song. My first attempt - which ended up MUCH better than I expected for the first try - was too fast. My second attempt was better. My third attempt was the best. We did a fourth where I could be as loud or as silly as I wanted. The perk of the process was that I could send the audio files as soon as I finished recording them, so that Laura and TJ could hear them right away. We were able to get a second song recorded - again with 4 versions - before our two-hour session wrapped up. The best part of the whole situation was that we finished right before my neighbour started mowing his lawn!
All in all, the process was way easier than I expected, and worked out way better than I imagined, AND I sounded even more incredible than I thought was even possible!
As everything was quiet, on June 13th, I set myself up and ended up recording 4 versions for three more songs! I started a fourth song, but decided that it needed more work.
My second recording session was June 17th. We figured out what tweaks to make to the first song - I had messed up the words in the final verse (oops!), listened to the three I did on my own to see if they were okay (they were), and then recorded bits I needed to redo and another song. So we had initial tracks recorded for 6 of my 10 songs!!!
What makes this whole situation so amazing, and surreal to me, is that when I was a Girl Guide, I was accepted to attend a provincial music camp outside of Calgary, and we went to a recording studio to record some of our songs for a radio promotion. After the first song, I was not allowed to sing - I could only mouth the words - because I was "ruining the sound" because I could not sing as high as the leaders and other girls. I was not allowed to sing for much of the camp, and I didn't sing for the final concert for the parents - I only mouthed the words. From being accepted because I could sing, to then being told I couldn't sing, led me to not singing in public (except at church) after that. The 10-Day Immersion last November was a HUGE leap for me to participate in, and now this album is an even BIGGER leap.
Celebrations:
- June 8th, I picked up my completed decks and printed canvases from Ember Graphics in Stettler. OH MY GOSH! They turned out better than I expected, and the canvases look AMAZING! You will be able to see them in person at my art show at the Donalda Gallery for the Arts (details below)
- My 3rd recording session is today (July 8). Plus, I wrote another song based on the tips/ideas from our May songwriting session, that I didn't end up using for the song we were working on. You can listen to the the very rough first draft here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/699157291144782
- for our virtual retreat the end of June, in the year-long mentorship program I belong to, we created wisdom stones. I painted/completed 30 stones. Then the next day I painted/completed 5 more to bring my total to 35. But, I didn't stop there, last weekend, I created/painted 5 more so now I have 40 all together. :) These were so much fun, I plan to make some more (smaller) sets in the future.
Recently Completed:
Besides what I've already mentioned above, since the last newsletter, I've completed...
(L-R top) Watercolour play (on 9x12 mixed media paper), "This Big" (8x10 acrylics)
(L-R bottom) "Pie & Coffee (8x10 acrylics), "Aces" (8x10 acrylics), Watercolour play (on 9x12 mixed media paper)
Works in progress:
Currently, I'm working on...
- an 8x10 acrylic painting
- crochet chocolates and candy for my crochet food project [temporarily on hold]
Upcoming Projects:
My exhibition is entitled: Exploring My Artistic Voice: a journey without a map and my selection follows my journey from my very first (acrylic) painting, through various artistic explorations including:
- baskets made out of old newspapers
- a sample of crochet food (patterns used from “Tasty Crochet” by Rose Langlitz and “Yummi’Gurumi” by Christen Haden & Mariarosa Sala)
- acrylic paintings based on whimsical drawings
- a simple daily 2-panel cartoon strip in ball point pen in handmade folded books
- card decks I produced digitally - including the font
- printed canvases showcasing a selection of my many sky drawings - produced on the ipad – as well as printed canvases of recent watercolour play explorations
- archetype dolls in crochet
- and more ;)
Most items will be available for purchase.
I will be at the gallery both weekends for a meet & greet - not sure of times yet so check https://www.facebook.com/donaldaartgallery to find out more details. I look forward to seeing you there.
Thanks for reading,
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 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"
