Monday, 30 October 2023



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


Friday, 27 October 2023

A black cat crossing your path 
signifies that the animal is going somewhere.  
- Groucho Marx

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

Be here now.  
Be someplace else later. 
 Is that so complicated? 
 - David M. Bader

Monday, 23 October 2023



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


Friday, 20 October 2023

October 20, 2023 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I signed up for Kate Ward’s, of Zen Stitching, UFO October. 

   There aren’t any aliens or other sci-fi elements involved, as UFO stands for UnFinished Objects.  Something many creative people tend to have lying around at any given moment.

   For the first week, we were to estimate how many UFO’s we had in our lives, and then count them to find out how many we REALLY have.

   While I haven’t done the actual count yet, I’m sure I could easily have close to a 100 UFO’s if I counted each individual project separately, though counting them as categories made the number less daunting.

  I have (just off the top of my head so not a complete list)...

            1. unfinished crafts that Gramma started that I’d like to finish

            2. unfinished crafts that Mom started that I’d like to finish

            3. unfinished cross-stitch projects, including a Valentine shirt

            4. almost a dozen different unfinished book manuscripts

            5. in-progress paintings

            6. in-progress knitting and crochet projects

            7. unfinished songs from last year

            8. 3 card decks I started

   Some UFO’s are more current, and some go back almost 30 years.  Some will require quite a bit of time and effort to complete.  Though, quite a few I could finish if I just SAT DOWN and DID them.

   And there in lies the secret.  Just sitting down and working on the projects.  Nothing fancy, nothing outlandish, just working on them in a focused manner.

   Which will I get finished before the end of the year?  We’ll have to wait and see.  I may get lots done, or I may get none of them done, as it depends on my health, schedule and other commitments.

    While it would be nice to have no UFO’s floating around my house, that I have some lets me know that I am learning and being creative.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PbUQbxzg6mstCoj6Wu-WLnI9AK10tBwa/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, 18 October 2023

Make the ordinary come alive...
the extraordinary will take care of itself. 
 - William Martin

Monday, 16 October 2023



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


Friday, 13 October 2023

My Artist Voice #18 October 13, 2023

   Welcome to my 18th 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.  

   I am officially the commissioned header artist for the Wondercafe2 site!!!!!  My first image - "Fall Colours" is up now (https://www.wondercafe2.ca/)  I will also be creating a Christmas header, and a winter one this year.  Plus, there is the possibility of creating 3 more in the new year (spring, Easter and summer).

Celebrations: 

- Last year I published two 6x9 (120 page) lined journals on Amazon, and there was a formatting error on the cover, so I needed to redo them.  They've been on my list to do for MONTHS, and I finally got them revised and up again - a paperback version (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CJLKZ3KB) and hardcover version.
Now that I got everything to work properly, I'll be able to create more with other images.  As well, I have a few other book ideas percolating in my mind. 

I also have a daily creative planner available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BMJM1SD3)
Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter, I've completed...
Watercolour play (on 9x12 mixed media paper)
- I continued to harvest my garden and finished on October 5th.  On September 16th, I chopped and froze 7.5 cups of onions - thank goodness for the food processor!  I pulled out that trusty food processor and sliced the small cucumbers and made 4 more pints of freezer pickles.  On September 29th, I made 1 pint + 1 cup of rhubarb juice with the final (4th) picking, and I made 1 pint of grape juice from the tiny handful of grapes on my vine (last year I had loads!)  On September 30th, I made a banana baked oatmeal.  Felt like forever since I did any baking!  I picked various herbs from my herb pots and dried them.  I opened one of my jars of beet pickles to taste them, and they worked!!!!!!!  Will definitely keep that in mind for next year.

- The Aussies challenged/dared me to do a short yoga video in my basement one day after our weekly Zoom call so I did a very rough, quick sequence - 5 mins for when you don't have time to do more, and you can even do it in your PJs.  You'll find it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JMcLZADXjPl2dnovLVwH-3i6NZDKbbvF/view?usp=sharing Then I kept going and created a video a day for a whole week!  I find that "I feel crappy" yoga is easier than "I'm a professional yoga teacher" yoga.
I had a few more ideas, so kept going, but not every day.

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on...
The Aussies also challenged me to make more videos of what I am already doing, just as I am with no staging or anything, so here's a glimpse in real time of my morning creative routine, and yes, I'm a leftie. :) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rU5TRjiNkbcOrgzLRm8ZECbJ_bd2WlN1/view?usp=share_link
- a 9x12 page of watercolour play
- based on Whitney Freya classes, I'm working on a YES painting and a Laughing Buddha painting (in my personal smashbook)
- Heart Cards in watercolour pencil/Posca paint pen on mixed media paper 
- an 8x10 acrylic painting (does thinking about it every day count?) + a 16x20 acrylic painting (2022/23 Hawaii virtual painting retreat - still stalled)

- I'm still playing around with my watercolour pencils on 6 x 4.5 inch mixed media paper (top) and Tombow markers (bottom)
- I'm learning how to play the drum from a Marla Leigh online mini class.  Here's me playing the first rhythm. https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/844690093683671

- Shiloh Sophia's Wild Card Oracle class - I prepped more cards and started activating them
- Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals Ayurveda course - it's been so long since I did anything on it, I will have to start over for a refresher when I get back to it!

- Anne's Atelier pattern design membership: I continued playing with different mock-ups of my various artwork.  I have approximately a month left in this year-long mentorship.  Time sure flies!  I signed up for the Art of Where print on demand site out of Montreal and am figuring out how the process works.  I will need to play around a bit more, and get some technical glitches figured out, before I take this any further.  As well, I will need to raise some funds to pursue getting any samples printed.  If you'd like to help me get closer to my artistic goals, please scroll down for options from purchasing artworks, to sessions, to donations.  If there are any particular mock-ups that intrigued you, and you think I should pursue them, please hit reply and let me know which ones as I'd love to know what real world people think. :)  
- I signed up for Kate Ward’s, of Zen Stitching, UFO (UnFinished Objects) October.  For the first week, we were to estimate how many UFO’s we had in our lives, and then count them to find out how many we REALLY have.  While I haven’t done the actual count yet, I’m sure I could easily have close to a 100 (or more????) UFO’s if I counted each individual project separately, though counting them as categories made the number less daunting.  Off the top of my head...

            1. unfinished crafts that Gramma started that I’d like to finish

            2. unfinished crafts that Mom started that I’d like to finish

            3. unfinished cross-stitch projects, including a Valentine shirt

            4. almost a dozen different unfinished book manuscripts

            5. in-progress paintings

            6. in-progress knitting and crochet projects

            7. unfinished songs from last year

            8. 3 card decks I started

   Some UFO’s are more current, and some go back almost 30 years.  Some will require quite a bit of time and effort to complete.  Though, quite a few I could finish if I just SAT DOWN and DID them.   Which ones will I get finished before the end of the year?  We’ll have to wait and see.  I may get lots done, or I may get none of them done, as it depends on my health, schedule and other commitments.  While it would be nice to have no UFO’s floating around my house, that I have some lets me know that I am learning and being creative.

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 October, I have the following paintings for sale. Both are 9x12 canvas board and come with their own display stand.  They were my first attempts at painting faces in the Intentional Creativity method in 2017.  

On the left is "Breathe" and on the right is "Rose." Each one is $210 (GST included).   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

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.

Perfect for Fall weather, I have a number of pairs of knitted and crocheted fingerless gloves for sale (prices range from $20 - $25 with GST included) First come, first serve for colour choices.

 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.
 
  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.

- I considering applying for the Viewpoint Gallery when their Call for Artists opened in September, but decided to give it a pass this time as I'm focussing on other projects right now.

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, 11 October 2023

It is pleasing to discover that it isn’t necessary to drive oneself forward; 
instead, one can simply allow oneself to move forward as blocks are removed.  
Thus, one becomes attracted by the future 
rather than propelled by the past.
  - David Hawkins

Monday, 9 October 2023



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


Friday, 6 October 2023

October 6, 2023 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   Considering how crazy our spring and summer were, I was pleased with how well my garden produced this year.  Could it have been better, sure, but it could have also been much worse.

   I wasn’t able to keep on top of my edible weeds, or even the other weeds for that matter.  And, while it gave my garden a rather unkempt appearance, I did discover that there was a benefit to those weeds.

   First off, many of my plants actually grew better, and produced more, where I didn’t get the weeds removed from around them.  Part of that is probably because the weeds acted like a form of mulch and kept the moisture in.

   Also, I read somewhere (I wish I could remember where so I could find it again) that plants growing wild, such as weeds, are growing in that particular spot because the soil needs whatever the plant can give it, because plants give to the soil as well as take nutrients from it.  Thus, by removing the weeds, we are depriving the soil of what it really needs.

   Which brings me to another thought.  How many times have you thought that you wanted something in particular, or wanted a specific set of circumstances, only to find out that it wasn’t beneficial at all?

    The opposite is true too.  I know I have fought long and hard against doing something only to find out when I finally gave up and did it, it produced the exact outcome I wanted all along, but I didn’t realize that was the path to achieve it.  Sometimes what we reject, we really need.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18nQt954uUJetAWqaus69K9fm8lwXV6_K/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, 4 October 2023

Don’t do what you love. Don’t follow your passion. 
Do what you ARE. What I’m really saying is, 
what’s your zone of genius? 
 - Ashley Stahl

Monday, 2 October 2023



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


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