Halloween Wisdom

There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people:

religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.

~ Linus Van Pelt in It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

On Discomfort and Success...

vortex

(acrylics, 16"x20" on canvas board)

"... the number one requirement for success is the willingness to be uncomfortable. Pretty soon, what now feels weird will begin to seem quite normal."

~ Barbara Stanny, Overcoming Underearning

What would you be willing to temporarily risk comfort for?

See Art, Eat Food (or Abstract Play Art Show - An Invitation)

It's official, I have a solo art show that starts next week and it's called Abstract Play. Eep!

Created under the umbrella of my friend Judi's Arts Night @ Credible Edibles, Abstract Play is the result of my recent discovery of abstract painting and will feature a few of my favourite pieces.

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

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

Opening reception: Thursday, November 4th, 7PM – 9PM

Duration of the exhibit: November 4 – 30

Also, Credible Edibles will be open that night for a special table d’hôte dinner from 5PM to 7PM if you’re interested in grabbing a bite. Menu options will include oven-roast turkey, Brie and cranberry strudel, vegan Shepherd’s pie with sweet potato crust, warm fennel and green bean salad, caramel apple bake and their ultra special chocolat chaud (YUM!).

Committing to this show and working on it has brought up some interesting emotions and I plan to write about them here, but you know what? I'll keep that for another post. Today's post is about an invitation - an invitation to see art and eat food.

Hope to see you there,

Stephanie

A Wonderfully Full Life

feels like jazz

(acrylics, 16x20 on canvas)

A few weeks ago I declared my intention to slow down for the fall and reduce the number of to-dos on my list.

Silly, naïve me.

You wanna know what though? I don't seem to mind. It's as if by giving myself permission to reduce the to-dos, all of a sudden the pressure is off and they're not so bad!

I'm involved in many creative projects including a solo art show coming up in November (vernissage is in two weeks!) and organizing a group show for the Winter Solstice come December. I have new originals hanging up at my hair salon and new prints to go with them. I'm taking an abstract painting class.

I'm spending time with D., family and friends. I'm writing my morning pages, albeit not every morning. I'm working on financial goals and plans to align outside circumstances with internal values.

My only regret is a decision to delay the opening of my Etsy shop originally scheduled for this month, but even then I feel solid in my decision so there's no beating myself up.

Through all of this I am learning and loving and stretching and creating and living.

Yup, life is full. Creatively full. Wonderfully full.

A Day on the Farm

This past weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving with some of D.'s family on an honest-to-goodness dairy farm. I'd never been on a farm before and went a little wild with my point & shoot...

 buildings and sky

 curious calves

me having a moment with a cow

 (photo by sis-in-law L.)

 there were many wonderful textures and lines to capture

 there were puppies...

 ... and more calves, I named this one Fern

one last shot of the evening light

Not only did we get a personalized tour of the operations from a very proud owner, we got to play outside, snuggle puppies, laugh, meet new people, re-connect with others, and eat and eat and eat!

It was a very special day with much to be thankful for. I am grateful.