An Invitation to See Art and Eat Food

I've been working on another little creative project. I've been organizing a group art show for the Winter Solstice.

Those who know me know it's a special time of year for me, so much that I dedicated a series of posts to it a few years ago called Solstice Reflections. Earlier this year I articulated my desire to put together a Winter Solstice themed art show, either locally or virtually, and lo & behold it manifested.

The second event under the umbrella of my friend Judi's Arts Night @ Credible Edibles, Winter Solstice - A Group Art Exhibit is a gathering of reflections on the arrival of winter and the shifts it brings with it. The exhibit brings together five local women, each one sharing her interpretation of the season and I cannot wait to see it!

For the locals, here's what you need to know:

Location: Credible Edibles, 78 Hinton Ave N. (one block west of the Parkdale Market)

Vernissage: Thursday, December 2nd, 8PM – 9:30PM

Pre-vernissage dinner: also Thursday, December 2nd, two seatings offering a special table d'hôte - one at 5:30PM and another at 6:45PM (reservations are recommended and Judi's food is scrumptious!)

Duration of the exhibit: December 2, 2010 - January 14, 2011

As mentioned above, Credible Edibles will be open that night for a special table d’hôte dinner with two seatings if you’re interested in grabbing a bite. With menu options like oven-roasted turkey, Brie and cranberry strudel, vegan Shepherd's Pie with a sweet potato crust, curried coconut squash soup and mint chocolate brownies I highly recommend it. A full menu is available on the Credible Edibles website (scroll down to just above the map).

This is my first experience working on a group show and I'm very grateful for the ladies who have helped guide me through it. I've learned so much - and I got to create a show for the Winter Solstice! Maybe next year I'll go virtual too... : )

I hope to see you at the café on Thursday,

Stephanie

Painting: One of my Happy Places

Dancer

12"x16" on canvas

Twice after my abstract painting class this past month I drove home in tears. But these weren't tears of sadness, oh no. They were tears of pure, overwhelming bliss and gratitude.

The tears were not to be held back. They just came, right there, as I drove and snuck intermittent glances at the still wet painting sitting on the front passenger seat, beaming at no one but myself.

They were a recognition of pride, of right work (or play) and of flow - or as one of my friends put it, of having found one of my happy places.

Seriously, I love painting. And I love learning about it. I could do this. I really could.

I am.

~~~

Do you have a happy place? If so, please do tell. I'd love to hear about it.

What Calls You?

I am feeling the pull of November toward winter's cocoon.

During the past few weeks I've been craving comfort: homemade soup, friends and family, candlelight, laughter, curling up with a favourite book, jigsaw puzzles, old movies and wool blankets on the couch. I hear my intuition as it whispers Hearth and Home.

The rest of this month will be busy, but I carefully guard my December calendar as I ease into a spiritually significant time of the year for me. I feel a gradual transition from the busy-ness of the past three months to stillness and reflection.

Hearth, home, stillness, reflection. They call. I listen.

What calls you today?

A Stroll Through Mer Bleue

Last weekend D. and I spent a crisp Saturday morning walking around Ottawa's Mer Bleue bog. We fed the chickadees, we played with our cameras and we enjoyed blissful silence under the sun.

It was balm for the soul...

On Experiencing My First Art Show Opening...

installation day - laying it all out

It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane.

~ Charles Lindbergh

I don't even know how to start describing last Thursday's opening other than it was a complete adrenaline rush!

The opening was part of a pilot initiative called Arts Night @ Credible Edibles, where my friend Judi is opening her café for dinner the first Thursdays of every month to coincide with a local Arts Walk. In the spirit of the 'hood's vibrant arts scene, she's featuring work by local emerging artists and hosting the official opening of monthly shows at the same time.

Last Thursday was our first Arts Night and we didn't really know what to expect. Well, let. me. tell. you. The place was packed!

Dinner was delicious and not not only did my friends, family and colleagues get to see my art, they got to witness my first waitressing gig too! What a ride. Five of us in an open kitchen working to serve over 30 customers that came for dinner + others that came to view the art and enjoy a few munchies. There was a cozy, full, happy buzz in the air.

Oh, and did I mention that just a block south of the café the power was out? I think we shall count our lucky stars, hm?

I didn't get to chat as much as I would've liked to with friends and loved ones who took time out of their week to come out and support me, but I was able to give them hugs and express my gratitude. I felt giddy at seeing my art up on the wall, enjoyed meeting new people and loved hearing what different people saw in my abstract images.

I also treasured the experience of working through a collective adrenaline rush with four other women to make the evening a success - a first for me really. It felt good and we're already working on next month's opening for a Winter Solstice themed group exhibit!

All told it was a heap of learning, bursting out of the comfort zone, gratitude and fun.

As promised I offer you a few pics documenting the installation and the opening itself, the latter taken by Sis since my camera never made it out of my purse (thank you Sis!)...

four up, four to go

... and we're ready to roll!

... and we're rolling!

Sis and I - so grateful for Sis' support

the woman behind the perfect gathering space and the delicious food

Judi, owner of Credible Edibles, and I

PS - If you didn't get a chance to make it to last week's opening, the art is up until the end of the month and Judi's yummy is food available Monday to Friday for lunch. You can still check it out!