Not sure if was the weather (the Polar Vortex followed up almost summer-like weather), my general rebellious nature, or something else, but I have not felt like doing any "planning" for the year, or figuring out what projects I will do. As I said last month, my theme is meandering and my word is simple/simplify/simplicity. So I spent most of January and the beginning of February decluttering my life by decluttering my computer files, but some items around the house too.
Then I discovered that my Human Design (you'll have to look it up as I don't know much about it myself yet) type is Generator. That means I'm highly creative (surprise!), but also I'm the type that tends to "wait and see" before doing something, and it has to be a full on Hallelujah-type Yes for me to really get excited about it. Finding that out made a lot of sense, so using that criteria, I went through my Baskets of Possibility that I started in 2022 and looked at EVERY single item as I journaled how I felt about it - I was really shocked at some of the projects and goals that I had ZERO desire to actually put any energy into, even though my "mind" said it was a good idea! Long story short, I had 50 items that I don't want to pursue and that not only gave me a HUGE sense of relief to admit to myself, but also will eliminate a large number of UFO's from my life! And made it way easier to know what files to delete off my computer. I kept the ones in the left basket (below).
- I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online.
- I attended the Bashaw School production of "Frozen" (Jr version) on January 21st. The kids did a fabulous job and it's so much fun watching them blossom on stage. While I was there, I also purchased 4 children's books published by our minister, Robin King.
Recently Completed:
Since the last newsletter, I've completed...
- (middle) Watercolour play (on 9x12 mixed media paper)
- (right) MOON painting (watercolour pencils, acrylics, Inktense pencils, Posca paint pens on 9x12 mixed media paper) based on a process by Whitney Freya
- on January 12th and 13th, I made a baked oatmeal.
- I completed my 27th cartoon comic booklet and you can view it here https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/689549163055746
- Heart Cards in watercolour pencil/Posca paint pen on mixed media paper. I got them all cut out, and while I don't know that they are "done," I'm calling them done as I'm not sure what the next step is for them.
UFO (UnFinished Object) Update:
- still deleting old PDF files that I no longer need. In the past month (or so), I've gone from 700+ in my "to deal with later" file, to just over 300. I'm making progress!!!!
Courses and Challenges (free and paid):
- Laura Rose's Honey Pot (embodiment) self-paced online class - going to start the 3rd unit soon.
- I'm practicing my drum playing daily, and hope to view the next lesson before the end of the month (fingers crossed).
- Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals Ayurveda course: I watched an online masterclass she offered as a way to ease myself back into this class.
Works in progress:
Currently, I'm working on...
- a 9x12 page of watercolour play
- based on Whitney Freya classes, I'm working on a word painting (not sure what word yet) and a Laughing Buddha painting (in my personal smashbook)
- an 8x10 acrylic painting (a UFO)
- a 16x20 acrylic painting
- I completed some more mini collages (4.5 x 6) each day
- Something else I'm doing differently this year is that I am following the moon more with Yasmin Boland's Moonology Diary. Let me tell you, writing in a book was a STRETCH for me as I was taught NEVER to write in books, and being a librarian for 20 years reinforced that. So to ease myself into the process, I'm answering the prompts in pencil. I also ordered Virginia Rosenberg's 2024 astrology journal to follow this year as well, but it hasn't arrived yet. Fingers crossed it comes soon.
Featured Items for Sale:
If you want to start the new year off on a positive note why not get an inspiration deck or two? They also make great gifts! I have the following items for sale (prices include GST). Go to https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html to view samples.
Books:
"The View from My Window" by (Peeping) Thomasina (2020) $10
"Exploring My Artist Voice: a journey without a map" (2022) $15
Card Decks:
"Traditional Wisdom: proverbs for everyday guidance" (2020) $25
"Daily Wisdom: proverbs for living life to the fullest" (2020) $25
"BEEing" (2021) $20
"Deep Truths for Remembering and Reclaiming Yourself" (2021) $40
"TEA for the Heart & Soul" (2021) $75
"May I" (2022) $25
"TEA for the Bitter Times" (2022) $45
Planners and Journals:
"Creative Daily Planner: for the unconventional, non-conformists, creatives, rebels, and other out of the box personalities" (2022) $30 or from Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BMJM1SD3
"Magical Moments in my Day Journal: for the extra special moments all around me" 6x9 lined journal (2022/2023) $15 or from Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CJLKZ3KB
Music Albums:
"Just Show Up" (fall 2022) https://linktr.ee/beth.richardson CDs $15
Please contact me at thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone 403-352-3837 to make an addition to your collection.
Upcoming Projects:
- I offer 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
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, items available 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!
