Wednesday 30 August 2023

Happiness is not for the faint of heart. 
It’s for the person that knows how to say no. 
It’s for the person that knows how to get messy.
 We are being way too perfect in our career. 
We have way too much shame around the process of learning.  
 - Ashley Stahl

Monday 28 August 2023



From TEA for the Bitter Times  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday 25 August 2023

Deep summer 
is when laziness finds respectability. 
- Sam Keen 

Wednesday 23 August 2023

You can pour melted ice cream on regular ice cream.  
It's like a sauce.
- Chris Pratt

Monday 21 August 2023



From TEA for the Bitter Times  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday 18 August 2023

August 18, 2023 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   Lately I’ve been reading again the novels from mom’s teenage years.  I first read them all back when I was a teen, and reading them now, I can remember some of the storylines, but not all. 

   Novels with titles such as “Trudy Phillips, New Girl,” “Polly French of Whitford High,” “Ginny Gordon and the Disappearing Candlesticks,” “Donna Parker at Cherrydale,” “Jean Craig, Graduate Nurse,” and more. 

   I haven’t even read my way through half of them yet so have a lot more enjoyable summer reading ahead of me.

   While, I realize that as fiction, they are written with a certain idealize view of life - as is most fiction - there is no denying that life today is sure different from life back in the 1950s!  You can see the same thing watching the old 1950s TV shows too.  And, it more than just the clothing styles that has changed.  Though I wouldn’t mind if some of those styles came back into fashion, and I really like the music from the 50’s.

   Home life is different.  Meals are different - more elaborate back in the day?  Children are raised differently - we think there is more freedom nowadays, but in a way, children today are more restricted. 

   While there were hardships back in the 1950s, as there are in any decade or period of time, there was a much stronger sense of community than we find today.  People banned together, not just in a crisis or tragedy as they still do today, but all throughout the year.

   Would I want to go back in time and live in the 1950s?  Not necessarily.  There are advantages to living in the time we do now.  Advantages that my mom could never have imaged back when she was a teenager. 

   That said, it would be nice to have a renewed sense of community from that time in our lives today.  And the underlying sense of certainty that came with it, that no matter what happened in your life, you were not alone and there would always be a helping hand or a strong shoulder to help share the load, and someone to celebrate with too.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tcyfCX2n-6RL0kc1OAwYMtfBD6cWaian/view?usp=sharing


 Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 21 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 16 August 2023

Think of bicycles as rideable art 
that can just about save the world. 
 - Grant Petersen 

Monday 14 August 2023



From TEA for the Bitter Times  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday 11 August 2023

My Artist Voice #16 August 11, 2023

   Welcome to my 16th Artist Newsletter.  Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed to date.  If you would like to receive this newsletter directly in your email inbox, please contact thechautauqua@gmail.com and ask to be added to the mailing list.  Please share this with friends who may also be interested.  Thank you so much for your support.  
    
   My niece was here on July 25th and, as usual, we had a lot of fun! I went out just before 8 AM and picked all of the rhubarb, and I was picking peas when she arrived at 8:30 AM.  We picked more garden produce - mainly greens and herbs.  Back in the house, my niece cut the rhubarb as I shelled peas - then we prepped the rhubarb for juice.  We made a marinated salad with the various greens - I told her to massage the greens with olive oil and she refused till she saw what I was doing and then she wanted to do it!  We made a batch of granola (I ended up leaving it in the oven a wee bit too long but it’s fine)  We chopped and froze 1.5 cups of onions and a cup of chives.  We blended up some tomatoes for juice.  We had waffles for lunch with freshly picked raspberries.  We dealt with the turnips we'd picked - first time I planted them and I ended up with 10, but the worms had really gotten to them (grrr) - after cutting off all the wormy bits (about half of each turnip), we were able to salvage enough that I could freeze 3 small bags.  Then we somehow ended up sorting clothes in my closet (not something I planned to do) - we’d try on 5 garments and then bring up something from the basement, then try on 5 more and then bring something else up, repeat.  I took her home at 5 PM.  All in all, a really good day.  Didn't make a lot of progress on the house, but we did do a LOT!

Celebrations: 

- I didn't make the short-list in the Wraptious contest, nor did I make the long list of special mention runner ups.  Disappointing.  I'm still celebrating because I entered (and can enter when they have their next contest in October), I did get votes, and I believe I had two items sell with one of my images - I'm still waiting to hear for sure and receive my share of the sales.

- The morning of July 30th, I FINALLY did a task that I was going to get done (for sure) back in April/May (ie BEFORE the weeds grew!).  I weeded on both sides of the playhouse (my uncle had made the playhouse for my 6th birthday) and put gravel down.  One reason is to make mowing around it easier, and the other is so I can put flower pots on the east side.  My yard is an ongoing project, and even more so as I'm not able to work at it as much as I'd like due to health and/or weather.
   My garden is growing (the weeds too, though most are edible), and I have been picking and harvesting veggies.  Though something (deer?) has been taking one bite out of my tomatoes and peppers leaving them to rot, and something (deer?) stripped all the yellow bean plants before I could pick the beans.  Aggravating!
Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter, I've completed...
L-R: Watercolour play (on 9x12 mixed media paper), Rose mandala (Posca pen/Derwent Inktense pencils on 9x12 mixed media paper) 
Whatever the urge was to do the mandalas, it seems to have been resolved/completed as I don't feel the need or desire to do anymore at this time.

- the days and weeks are flying by so fast!  I finished my twenty-third cartoon comic booklet and you can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/814814746919207

- This has been a weird year for me health-wise so I haven't been able to be out in the yard/garden as much as I should - edible weeds are taking over!...I brewed some of my dried dandelion into an ice tea and it tastes delightful mixed with ginger ale.  July 14th, I made 4 pints of green smoothie with garden greens/herbs and froze it as an experiment. There was only a handful of Nanking cherries on my bush so I made them into a pint of juice on July 16th.  On July 18th I tried a new recipe for No Knead bread - it was an EPIC fail, so much so, I had to toss it into the compost.  Aggravating!  I made more green smoothies on the 24th and froze 3 pints (forgot to take a picture!).  Before my niece arrived on the 25th, I made two pumpkin baked oatmeal and froze one.  On July 29th, I finished making the rhubarb juice we started - ended up with 5 quarts, 6 pints, and 4.5 cups!  I was clearing out the fridge and on August 7th, I used a jar of homemade pecan butter to make a batch of pecan butter/Skor cookies - alas, they royally stuck to the nonstick surface of my cookie sheet so I ended up with a bowl of cookie pieces - they tasted great and thankfully didn't have to hit the compost like the bread fiasco.  I'm still making lots of green smoothies with the greens, herbs, tomatoes and now peppers.

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on... 
- a 9x12 page of watercolour play
- an 8x10 acrylic painting (still not really started, but I'm hopeful) + a 16x20 acrylic painting (2022/23 Hawaii virtual painting retreat - truthfully stalled and on hold)
- I'm creating Heart Cards in watercolour pencil/Posca paint pen on mixed media paper - not sure yet what these will become, but I'm having fun playing with them.
- I've been playing around with my watercolour pencils (top row), water-soluble Tombow markers (middle row), Inktense pencils and watercolours (bottom row) on 6 x 4.5 inch mixed media paper
- I have been drawing a quick whimsical sun every morning for over 5 years when I do my morning doodling, so I decided to play around with the concept on 6 x 4.5 inch mixed media paper and see where it goes as I explore different medium and styles - watercolour left and acrylics middle & right
- Shiloh Sophia's Wild Card Oracle class - I finished more of the cards I had prepped, and then prepped more to finish.
- Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals Ayurveda course is temporarily on hold as I focus on other tasks and the garden.  The advantage, and disadvantage, of a self-paced course.

- Anne's Atelier pattern design membership: I stayed up waaaaaaaay past my bedtime one night as I had thought as I was falling asleep that some of my lilac playing could possibly work as a pattern.  Normally, I would have just waited till morning, but this time I pulled out my ipad and spent hours creating a basic pattern, plus two variations.  Worked better than I expected!  The next day I created two silhouette versions.
Featured Artworks for Sale:

It's time to create some space, and raise some much-needed funds, for new art projects!  For the month of August, I have the following printed canvases available (all prices include GST).  All 4 were featured in my solo art show at the Donalda Gallery for the Arts in 2022.  Please contact me at thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone 403-352-3837 to make an addition to your collection.

Each artwork purchase this month will include a signed copy of my chapbook, "My Artist Voice: a journey without a map." 

"This book, Exploring My Artist Voice, is a journey of discovery, inspiration and overcoming adversities. Beth illustrates her journey with examples of her art throughout. What makes it powerful is that while Beth is working through her own personal issues, it is easy for the reader to identify with the problems and obstacles that she encounters. For me it was truly inspiring and beautiful." - JaneAnn Settergren, MFA, MDiv


Brown/Yellow Mandala 18x20 printed stretched canvas $225.00

This is a printed canvas of an original watercolour painting I did in February, 2022.  I ended up using colours I don't usually use, and was quite surprised that it ended up being my favourite. 

Quite honestly, I started playing around with a watercolour set that I wasn't sure I'd ever use, and planned to pass onto my niece, but I thought I'd give it a try first.  I started out just slapping watercolour on the page, and it wasn't long before I started creating my meditative dots.


Green Mandala 10x14 printed stretched canvas $150

Another printed canvas version of my meditative dot watercolour painting from March, 2022  - this one is in shades of green 





Blue Mandala 10x14 printed stretched canvas $150.00

A printed canvas of a blue version of my watercolour meditative dot series from March, 2022





Yellow Mandala printed stretched canvas $150

A brighter version in my series of watercolour meditative dot mandalas from March 2022.  Each one is organic and unique.

  

I also have my card decks, chapbooks and my musical CD (listen to sample here: https://linktr.ee/beth.richardson) for sale too.  Please reach out to find out more, or to purchase.


"I'd like to share with you my impressions of Beth Richardson's surprising, new iconic album - "Just Show Up"... 
   Beth must surely be a reincarnated soul! She is a master storyteller... 
   Her voice paints evocative word and sound pictures (both spoken and sung in a sweet, sort of Celtic or folksy old Americana lilt!) - that are equal parts wistful and whimsical - as they strike a chord of remembrance of melancholy eras gone by... 
   Somewhere between a female Burl Ives, Edgar Allen Poe and the Brothers Grimm, Beth - and her brilliantly intuitive producers (Nile Street Studios) - succeed in bringing forth a timeless piece of musical art - for the ears, mind and soul - that cut through any preconceived notions of age - or what is popular  or worthy listening material...  It's its own original experience - and the sound effects are delightful! 
   Simultaneously mature and childlike, I'm fascinated to wonder how this work is received by the little ones... For me, it was magical and haunting - with a tonal quality that lingers when it's done...  I feel touched and changed in a good way - privileged to have heard such a refined creation - especially from a first-time recording artist (though Beth seems to excel at whatever medium she turns her prolific imagination to!)...   
   Stellar, really! 
    Many Blessings" - Tes Kempner, Fellow Songwriter-Muse reverbnation.com/rpk/yes2tes

 Upcoming Projects: 

- My yard and gift sales are open most weekends and the odd week day (weather and health permitting) at 4910 47th St, Mirror - a great opportunity to find out more about my artwork, decks, books, CD and more in person before you purchase :)

- I am offering Pay-What-You-Can Distance Reiki/Energy Healing sessions.  Energy healing works great from any distance and I've sent Reiki healing as far away as Queensland, Australia.  Please, contact me to set up your healing session.

"I have been suffering with Long COVID for over a year and have tried every healing modality in the book to get my energy back. Beth has been gifting me with healing Reiki energy for quite some time now and I have, for the first time in over a year, started to feel like myself again.  Much of my weakness has dissipated, and the dark cloud that I have been stewing under has lifted. Thank you Beth. ♥️" - Carla, Esthetician, Nova Scotia 

- If you would like a personal 3-card inspiration/encouragement reading from one of my card decks, please contact me to book your session.  Cost $25 per reading.
Here is a small taste from my "May I" deck - which is about reminding ourselves to give ourselves permission to do what we want to do - or know we should do.  In this particular reading, we are reminded to spend time outdoors in the sun (not to the point of burning!), that it is okay to rest - especially when we need it the most, and that viewing the world around us through the eyes of wonder makes life more exciting and magical.
 
  If you have ever wished you could have my wit and wisdom handy, why not consider purchasing a deck of your own.  I have seven different inspirational/encouragement card decks to choose from:  https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html

- 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 total.  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 

~~~~~~~~

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!

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
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 are always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration! Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

Wednesday 9 August 2023

Without ice cream,
there would be darkness and chaos.  
- Don Kardong 

Monday 7 August 2023



From TEA for the Bitter Times  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday 4 August 2023

August 4, 2023 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   Ever have someone tell you something along the lines of “If you REALLY knew about ___(fill in the blank)____ , you would not support (agree/endorse) it, and would whole-heartedly support __(fill in the blank__”?

   I have had that comment thrown in my face more times than I can count, and a couple of times recently.

   While the topics of conversation were different each time, what I found interesting was that I really DID know more about the situation, because of personal experience (or being close to someone with personal experience), than the zealot who was trying their hardest to shame me about my personal decision or stance.

   And it was BECAUSE I really knew about ___(fill in the blank)__ that I either strongly supported what they thought I SHOULDN’T be, or chose NOT to support what they thought I should be. 

   One reason why I personally don’t agree that people should be allow to publicly protest, is because the people protesting, more often than not, have no idea what the real situation is that they are protesting against, and unfortunately, they would rather make a big spectacle than learn the truth of the situation.

   That is also why I tend to not believe most protesters' views, and prefer to get my information from the people who are actually living and dealing with the particular situation.

  We are all allowed to have our own opinions about pretty much anything and everything under the sun.  While that is a good thing (generally), if you are going to pressure someone to change their stance on an issue, you better make darn sure you know what the issue is!

   I don’t know about you, but I really miss the days when you could have a discussion with a person, and be on completely opposing sides of an issue, and that was a GOOD thing, because it made the conversation more interesting.  Differing perspectives on life aren’t a bad thing.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CTrblkJksXaR0J2-QtR_fhYaxBAbZcOh/view?usp=sharing


 Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 21 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 2 August 2023

Everything you’re sure is right
can be wrong in another place. 
 - Barbara Kingsolver

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