Operation Glitter the World has begun!

Boy am I pooped!

I single-handedly glittered what feels like half of Bowen Island at Bowfest today. Mostly the female half, for the most part under the age of 15. Although I was very busy, it was so much fun, especially when all the little ones crowded close in their excitement and I couldn't move or see what I was doing!

I will post some pictures shortly of my booth, but here's a picture in the meantime of a free-form, temporary glitter tattoo that I created.

Art and Mothering

The Painter's Keys arrives in my inbox regularly. This week was a discussion about Motherhood and Art. The following link was recommended, and I agree. The writer truly summarizes the division that splits artistic Moms in two:

http://www.parentingexpress.com/Stories/Stories/0044.htm

In reflecting upon my life, now more than 10 years into parenting, I suspect I have channelled my art-making into home-making, and because I feel a certain guilt for being supported by my husband (uncomplainingly at his end, I might add), my creativity dreams up new schemes for making money from the things I love to do, which never work, because I haven't got the time to pursue business when what I really want to do is be artistically expressed. So mediocrity seems to be the land I live in.

I suspect the most important thing for artist-moms is to be gentle with ourselves and keep on creating/expressing, no matter the form or voice that expression takes. Every experience we live contributes to the selves we bring to our work, and there will come a time for all that stored-up creativity to finally find its expression in intentional works of art.

needle felting fun

My daughter and I have discovered needle felting, and we love it! Since I introduced her to it a couple of days ago, she has created several pieces. I really love this alien in a spaceship piece.

I like needle felting because it makes for fast and fun colour. I also like the embellishment possibilities: embroidering, appliqué, sewing sequins and beads. Making mini, gorgeous tapestries!

Spring has come, with some frost

I have been pruning roses, the cuts on my hands prove it. I hope the Queen Elizabeth rose will bloom abundantly this year. I am taking out a lot of the older wood and training in the new branches.

The chickens have begun to lay again, and it is wonderful to have fresh eggs once more. The downside is their incessant digging in the garden beds which has already cost more than one plant it's happy start. I am torn, I love to see them free-ranging in the yard, but they will not stay out of the garden beds.

I have yet to start my seeds indoors. The one exception being the sweetpeas that are nestled between damp paper towels. I harbour visions of incredible gardens, full to overflowing with beautiful, scented beauty! Perhaps I will never succeed, but the dream calls me out every Spring.

Home Again

Okay, back on Bowen, and it is SPRING here!! Thank the Maker!

Had a great time in the East, but now I am very tired and needing some quiet time to re-coup.

No go on the gallery front, but there is still a lead to follow-up on. We'll see what evolves!

Going HOME!!

Okay, I am technically home. It is the home of my childhood years that I will be revisiting later this month! What joy!! To see my siblings, parents, friends and favourite haunts!

Now that familiar feeling comes over me... what will I wear? It just kills me that this thought overcomes my rational thinking mechanism... surely I have evolved beyond a concern for how I drape my physical apparatus? Indeed no! So, I will ransack my closet, for garments that will keep me warm, and convey a certain, je-me-sais-quoi regarding my appearance... not too West Coasty, certainly not uber-groomed Torontonian/Montrealer... something in between!

What fun to meet my niece for the first time! And greet my nephew for the second time! I am looking forward to the pleasures of long, interesting walks through the streets of my young years, reminiscing and appreciating the historic architecture which is so rare in Vancouver. Skating up the wind tunnel that is the Rideau Canal in the biting cold with my daughter! Memories in the making!

Of course, we will do lots of interesting, historic, educational things too! After all, that is the joy of home-schooling/unschooling! Just taking in all the good things that life has to offer!!

Home again

After several days spent away at my 100-year-old-grandfather-in-law, Jacks' place, we are home, safe and sound. It has been a busy holiday, and I am happy to return to my life and rhythms. Still no snow here, bummer.

I brought home my new violin just before Christmas. It is so exciting to have a violin of my very own to screech away on. Life is good!!