Wow! My first anniversary issue of this newsletter! Who would have ever thought that I would create an "artist" newsletter in my life, and then keep it going for a year!? And, who'd have thunk that I'd have so much to say and share! :)
A highlight, since my last newsletter, was visiting the Lacombe Encore Art Show on Friday, April 14th. The annual art show had been cancelled in 2020 due to Covid, and this was its big return. My neigbhour, Margaret Blank of 3F Creations (margaretblank.com), finally got her chance to shine as the Featured Artist for the show. Congratulations Margaret!!!!
As I started around the room, the first artist to really catch my eye was Darcy Gusse Edings of Silk Concepts (silkconcepts.ca), an artist who hand paints on silk. I loved her colours and her silk scarves and could have stood there all day just drinking in all the vibrant colours. Alas, I didn't have have unlimited funds and thus couldn't buy out her whole booth, so I settled on 4 cards (top row, below).
The next artist to really catch my eye was SASART (https://www.facebook.com/savannahseverin/). In an interesting coincidence, I had recently purchased a painted saw blade from the Alix Resource Centre's silent auction, and SASART was the artist who had painted it. She also had a lot of tempting art in wonderfully bright colours. I settled on a small wooden owl done in wood burning (bottom row, left)
As I continued around the room, I chatted with a couple of the gals from the Parlby Creek Brushketeers whom I've known for years, and admired more art in various mediums and variety of subject manners. And I will confess a ting or two (or more!) of envy when I admired some of the incredible paintings. I also had a lovely chat with a watercolour artist (unfortunately, I can't remember her name) about cold wax varnishing watercolour paintings rather than framing them behind glass. This is a technique that I want to try (someday)
The next artist to really catch my eye was Sandra Bingeman of Ponoka (https://www.facebook.com/sandra.bingeman/) At the last art sale in 2019, I had purchased a small painting of an inukshuk from her (one of the first pieces of art I'd ever purchased at an art sale - that day in 2019 I also purchased 2 small cowboy pen drawings, and a small purple rose painting). Her vibrant colours also really appealed to me and I couldn't resist (even though I was already over my budget for the event) purchasing a dragonfly painting and a small painting of pussy willows (bottom row, middle)
After listening to Margaret Blank's presentation, I decided to do one more circuit around the room - mainly so I could gaze at the painted silks again. :) I stopped at Amanda Frost's booth as she had some pointilism works that were incredible. Definitely beyond my means by that point, so I purchased a couple of cards of the images (bottom row, right).
All in all, a great art show and congratulations to all of the artists. I was even asked by a couple of people I know, who were also admiring the artworks, if I had a booth. No, but maybe (possibly, potentially) in the future?
Celebrations:
- I completed the requirements and graduated from the Awaken Love Yoga Teacher Training on April 20th. I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really, really did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Despite the health challenges and setbacks, I REALLY DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! While I was very sick and flat on my back, I did attend the graduation Zoom session live and am so glad I did as it was a wonderful time of sharing and honouring each other. I was given the award of Head Cheerleader and Goddess of Joy. :) At this point, my next steps are to go back to the start of the course and watch all the replays again and deepen my personal practice. Huge thank you to Hillary Faye for creating the Awaken Love course, to Marda Sperber for being the most incredible loving and light-filled teacher, and to my fellow students for making my yoga journey so magical and amazing.
- On April 24th, the Aussies (Leanne and LaToya) and myself celebrated our 3rd year of friendship and support. We had our first Inner Circle buddies Zoom call on April 23, 2020 - with no idea of where or how our connection would look or progress - and we have been meeting every week since. While we have had to sometimes change the date of our call, we haven't missed a week yet! Our calls have evolved from 45 min I-can't-think-what-to-share type calls to 3 hrs of sharing our lives, our wins, our concerns, our tears, our laughter, and many intriguing tangents we end up following. I'm so blest to have these two wonderful women in my life.
- April 27th marked the 2nd anniversary of my daily sky drawings on the iPad! On that day I completed my 1,258 drawing!!!! I cannot even express how rewarding and important this daily practice has turned out to be for me.
- My 50th Birthday was on May 1st! One reason that was such a momentous milestone for me was because there has been more than one occasion in the past 10 years - more so in the first 6 years - when I was told that if we didn't get my health situation under control, I could die. That added more stress to an already stressful situation, especially since we didn't know WHAT was causing my health challenges at the time. Thankfully, I'm still here and still able to continue bringing smiles to the faces of those around me.
- also on May 1st I gave my first Kundalini Reiki Level 1 attunement!!!!! It went much better than I expected :) Attuned the same wonderful person to Level 2 on May 8th.
- I woke up very early on May 6th (3 AM!) and watched the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. A lovely ceremony, though I'm sure there were moments when Charles was wishing his mom was still alive and it wasn't happening. It was neat to learn about the regalia and traditions - and to find out that Westminster Abby isn't a Church of England church but the monarchy's church. I never knew that. It was also nice to see the important roles that Canadians played in the event too.
- I finished the Painting with Words course, and the journal I created for the course, on May 6th (little off from my end of April date that I was shooting for, but that's okay) You can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/3109494266020700
- I took a friend to the Bashaw Art Show on May 7th and we had fun looking at all the art. My friend purchased one of Laurie Hall's cards for me as a thank you.
Recently Completed:
Since the last newsletter, I've completed...
L-R: Rose mandala (Posca pen/Derwent Inktense pencils on 9x12 mixed media paper). Watercolour play (back & front on 9x12 mixed media paper)
- it's always a good day when I do some baking. I found a recipe for baked oatmeal and gave it a try on April 14th. I must point out that I never follow recipes "exactly" so I can't replicate them the same each time. That said, my pumpkin raspberry baked oatmeal was super yummy. I made another baked oatmeal on April 27th - this one was pumpkin and rhubarb. On April 28th, I made a batch of almond flour shortbread cookies. I was on a roll, and on April 29th, I made some vanilla coconut flour cupcakes - which I iced for my birthday cake.
- some of you know that I like to forage in my yard for edibles, and I have discovered once you start eating "weeds," you never have enough, so I decided to take it to the next level this year. On May 5 & 6th, I made juice from dandelions (leaves/blossoms), chives, pansies, and quack grass. It worked better than my attempt with the quack grass last year! My original plan had been to drink the juice (if it turned out), but after I made it, I decided it would probably be better as soup broth. I ended up with 9 pints + 1.5 cups of juice. On May 7th, I picked more dandelion leaves and blossoms and tried a different method and ended up with 5 cups of juice - this might be the best method, but I'm still experimenting.
Works in progress:
Currently, I'm working on...
- a 9x12 page of watercolour play
- an 8x10 acrylic painting (still not really started) + a 16x20 acrylic painting (2022/23 Hawaii virtual painting retreat)
- mandala on 9x12 mixed media paper
- I hope to finish the Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals Ayurveda course in the next week or so (fingers crossed)
- Anne's Atelier pattern design membership: still need to get back into making patterns, as well as exploring Society6 and Spoonflower print-on-demand sites.
- I signed up for Hillary Faye's 8-week Faery Queen Council Initiations course - it started on April 12th and runs each Wednesday till the end of May, with a 1:1 session with Hillary on May 10th.
Upcoming Projects:
- I will have my yard and gift sale open on the May long weekend - a great opportunity to view my artwork, decks, books, CD and more in person before you purchase :)
- completing the 8-week Faery Queen Council Initiations course May 31st.
- I am offering 3-hr in-person VIP sessions (morning or afternoon) for the introductory price of $300 per session. Sessions will be customized to the individual and may include topics such as yoga, Reiki, mindset, creativity, writing, behind the scenes in my studio, and more. Also, each person who signs up will receive a lovely gift to take home. I am also open to doing 2 people at a time (ie mother/daughter sessions) for $500 for both people. To find out more, and to book, please contact me.
Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to share with anyone you think might enjoy it.
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!
Back issues of this newsletter can be found here: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/ under the category "Artist Newsletter"
If you would like to support my artistic journey, please consider purchasing my artwork, select items available online https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html or in person at 4910-47 St, Mirror, AB
or by making a donation via
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Your support and kindness are always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration! Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!
