Art Magazine January – April 2024 by Arts Council of Ladysmith & District Magazine

Ladysmith Gallery News Featured Artist: Bailey Macabre How to Get a Grant Meet Vincent Van Goat Poetry Corner

Bailey Macabre at art exhibition

CONTENTS ART MAGAZINE TEAM Peg Ainsley, Shannon Delaney, Adriene Jameson Delie Lawley, Sarah Leo, Francesca Reside

FEATURES 2

Ladysmith Gallery: A Journey Worth Celebrating

Graphic Novel: Is a Picture Worth 1000 Words?

Artist Feature: Meet Bailey Macabre

Wishes Granted: How to Get a Grant

The Misadventures of Vincent Van Goat

Meet Victoria and Brittany Blouin

February Art Challenge

H-Art Question: Inspirational Quote

Poetry Corner: Creative Process

EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS 5

January Exhibition: Food For Thought

February Exhibition: Inspired By Text

Guest Artist Show: Lynne Patrick

Vintage and Valuable: A Free Program For Seniors

Mardi Gras Madness

March Exhibition: Growth

Guest Artist Show: Karen Gaetz

April Exhibition: Feathers and Fur

INTERESTED IN BUYING AD SPACE IN OUR MAGAZINE? EMAIL US AT INFO@LADYSMITHARTS.CA Art Magazine is a tri-annual publication by the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District. All published material is the copyright of the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District. No part of this publication, in whole or in part, may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Information and images produced in the magazine are believed to be accurate and truthful; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors.

LADYSMITH GALLERY: A JOURNEY WORTH CELEBRATING By Farrell Elliott

In the ever-evolving world of art, finding a space that not only showcases talent but also nurtures it is an important aim. After presenting exhibitions in a school gym for several seasons, Ladysmith Arts was very pleased to move its exhibition space downtown. Ladysmith Gallery, which opened its doors in June 2023, has reestablished our visibility in the community, and the gallery has become a haven for emerging and established artists. It has been a beacon of creativity for locals and visitors alike. Though we’ve only been in the new space for a short while, there is much to celebrate already.

One of the highlights of Ladysmith Gallery's journey has been its Monthly Member exhibitions. These events provide local artists with a platform to share their unique perspectives, experiment with their craft, and gain the exposure they need to thrive in the competitive art world. Every month, the gallery has transformed into a dynamic, ever-evolving space, showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions. For the artists, it's not just about displaying their work; it's about connecting with the audience.

Ladysmith Gallery has provided a warm, welcoming atmosphere where artists and art lovers can engage in meaningful conversations, gain insights, and forge connections that extend beyond the gallery's walls. The Ladysmith Gallery works with artists to help them learn what it takes to show in a public gallery, from help with how to submit their art to the gallery shows to guidance with how artists can make their art look professional and have the best chance of going home with an enamoured visitor. The Gallery fosters an inclusive space of learning, and artistic growth.

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A Journey Worth Celebrating

ladysmitharts.ca

The heartwarming response to Ladysmith Gallery's exhibitions has been overwhelming. Month after month, a diverse audience, consisting of art lovers, collectors, critics, and the merely curious, has graced the gallery's space, showing their support for local artists. The average of 900 visitors per show is not just a number; it's a testament to the enduring allure of art.

The private show by the renowned artist Thomas Hutchings was a momentous occasion in the gallery's history. This was the gallery’s first chance at showing Ladysmith the talent that we have in the area by hosting a private artist’s show.

Please contact gallery@ladysmitharts.ca if you would like to book your own private show in 2025.

Their passion and commitment have been instrumental in creating an atmosphere where artists can thrive, and art enthusiasts can immerse themselves in creativity. As the Gallery Coordinator, I want to express my gratitude: Our volunteers are the heartbeat of this gallery. Your tireless efforts and unwavering support have made Ladysmith Gallery a place where art comes alive.

It demonstrates that Ladysmith Gallery has successfully created an environment where art transcends mere visual pleasure. It's a place where art becomes a conversation, a connection, and a source of inspiration for all who walk through its doors.

Hutchings, known for his large, captivating landscapes, brought in exquisite works that graced the gallery for this exclusive exhibition. The event was a testament to Ladysmith Gallery's commitment to bringing the best of the art world to our community, and the show gives Ladysmith a taste of other artists who will be exhibiting in 2024. The Ladysmith Gallery will be home to 10 more collectives and artists renting the space to bring their art to the area.

January–April 2024

We couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for being an integral part of our creative journey. But our journey doesn't end here. We invite more art enthusiasts to become a part of our gallery membership and join us in this incredible venture. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the remarkable volunteers who help run the daily gallery operations, hang the shows, welcome visitors, and tirelessly promote the arts throughout our community.

Your involvement can make a profound impact on our local art community, and it's a rewarding way to contribute to the flourishing art scene here at Ladysmith Gallery.

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A Journey Worth Celebrating

ladysmitharts.ca

January–April 2024

It was a lovely experience to see art enthusiasts and curious minds from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate creativity. This global presence reminded us that art transcends boundaries and speaks a universal language. As we look forward to the year ahead in 2024, Ladysmith Gallery is poised for another strong and vibrant year.

When we opened our doors in June 2023, we welcomed visitors not only from our local community but from across the world, especially during the summer tourism months.

With the continued support of our dedicated volunteers, artists, and the art community, we aim to make Ladysmith Gallery a place where creativity thrives, artists flourish, and the love for art continues to connect people from all corners of the world.

We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of Ladysmith Gallery as it continues to shape the artistic landscape of our community, one exhibition at a time.

If you’re not yet a member of Ladysmith Arts, we would be thrilled to welcome you. Learn more at artscouncilofladysmithanddistrict.wildapricot.org If you’re looking for a way to get involved and give back to your arts community, we are always looking for new volunteers. Learn more at ladysmitharts.ca/volunteer

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THE GRAPHIC NOVEL: IS A PICTURE WORTH 1000 WORDS? By Peg Ainsley

What exactly is a graphic novel? The definition is often debated, as the origins of the form are open to interpretation. The first place I sought the answer was with a visit to Curious Comics in Nanaimo. The definition is quite simple, according to manager Mike Drummond: Comic books tell a story in sections. Normally it takes five different comics to tell the artist’s full tale. Usually, the publication that follows is a collection of all five comics, printed together into one graphic novel that covers the whole story.

Early sequential narrative artworks are credited to a Dutch painter, Hieronymus Bosch in 1450, and Erhard Schön is one of the first noted users of speech balloons in his work of 1530. Whether you want to talk graphic novels or comics, the history of this art form is long and varied. But, the onset of popular comics as we now know them is attributed to the launch of Superman in 1938.

Graphic novels can also be visual reinterpretations of existing published works or movies, or they can be original stories, designed from the onset as visual tales.

Today, comics are big business. From stores dedicated to selling drawn stories to works that inspired the prolific production of Marvel movies, comics remain a relevant and celebrated means to entertain, inform, and motivate.

While graphic novels are exciting new audiences everywhere, the concept of depicting sequential scenes to tell a story is certainly not new. Examples can be found throughout history around the world and include Egyptian hieroglyphs, Maya script, and illustrated Christian manuscripts.

Specific styles such as Japanese manga have developed their own fan base, and individual artists have their own styles. Of course, these art forms don’t live in print alone. Animated films bring illustrated stories to even wider audiences.

Victoria artist and animated-film maker Denver Jackson describes his recent full-length animated film “The Worlds Divide” as anime-influenced, and he just held the world premiere in Vancouver at the Spark Festival. Storyboards are another popular use of depicted narratives. Filmmaker Wes Anderson is said to always prepare a drawn version of each project to show the cast and crew, so everyone can “see” his vision and the story he wants produced. Closer to home, local artists Bailey Macabre and Victoria Blouin are creating stunning visual stories that are being celebrated by their communities. Look for their stories and samples of their work here in this issue. What’s more, in February 2024 Ladysmith Gallery will host an exciting art exhibition, “Inspired By Text.” Here, regional artists can prove that a picture really is worth 1000 words. 6 | Art Magazine

DONATE IN 2024! Learn more about the Art Station Capital Campaign project at www.ladysmitharts.ca/artstation

Making a Donation is Easy: Donate at www.ladysmitharts.ca/donate Make a donation while visiting our gallery: let our volunteers know you wish to make a donation Make an appointment with our executive director to make a donation at our office Email Delie at delie@ladysmitharts.ca

All donations over $20 will receive a charitable receipt.

ARTIST FEATURE: MEET BAILEY MACABRE by Adriene Jameson It’s amazing what can happen when the world gets turned upside down. Things that were filed in the back of your mind all of a sudden have space to come forward, and things you didn’t believe were possible all of a sudden come creeping into the sunlight. These are some of the thoughts I had after meeting Bailey Macabre, an interdisciplinary artist, comic writer and illustrator, and graphic novel illustrator. I got the opportunity to meet Bailey in my quest to learn more about the graphic novels genre. Bailey’s art was part of the Nanaimo Art Gallery’s comic and graphic novel exhibition, Gutters Are Elastic, in the summer of 2023. I was very excited to learn that we had artists working in this genre right here on Vancouver Island.

Bailey’s Realm “When I think of a graphic novel, I think of a complete story from start to finish; more of an illustrated novel with a beginning, middle, end—a conclusive story,” Bailey says. “When I think of comics, I think of smaller publications: a smaller piece of a story or a moment. It can be more of a saga, but if you follow along [with subsequent publications], you can get a broad spectrum of them. I operate in this realm more often. ” On their website, Bailey describes themselves as “Agender Cree, Métis, and Ukrainian. My relations are from Beardys & Okemasis Cree Nation. My late grandmother was born in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan.” Much of Bailey’s work is inspired by their Aboriginal background and the experiences of their family and ancestors as aboriginal people in Canada.

An Island-Born Artist Bailey was born in Nanaimo. After becoming an adult, they moved away to work for a few years, but returned to Nanaimo in 2021. “I have always read comics. I was passionate about the art form and found it a fascinating way to tell stories,” they say. “I did art my whole life, but I fell victim to that whole idea of ‘you’ll never make a living as an artist.’ I was always working on my own comics, but I always got stuck on the part where you add colour. If I made an error, I would just get rid of the whole page. It never went beyond that.” Bailey worked as a hairstylist for ten years, but the arrival of the pandemic brought about swift changes: their hair salon shut down for an indeterminate amount of time, and they were faced with trying to figure out what to do.

A New Path Faced with an uncertain future, Bailey convinced their husband to use their first CERB payment towards the purchase of an iPad. “It has revolutionized my colouring of things,” they say. “I do a lot of acrylic and gouache, but because I was selftaught, colouring on paper never really resonated. Being able to layer colours and organize things or single out things [using the iPad] has changed my life. I feel like I didn’t realize art could be so complex.” After becoming more comfortable with working on an iPad, Bailey began to reach out to other artists, doing what a great many artists did during the height of the pandemic. “I was always a little self-conscious about sharing my work, but I was

Photograph by: Sean Fenzl

trying to find community in isolation.” They began sharing their work on social media and began to make connections with other artists and fans.

Making Their Way Their first real opportunity to work professionally in something comicrelated was in 2020 through Whess Harman’s zine called Together Apart, a publication focused on Indigenous identities and Indigenous queer culture. Bailey contributed a onepanel illustration. “It was such a wonderful experience,” they say. As galleries and spaces began to reopen again, Bailey attended a talk at the Vancouver Library by Cole Pauls, a Tahltan comic artist and illustrator. During this event, Bailey worked up the courage to make a connection with Cole. “He was really excited to see what I was working on. It happened that he was invited to curate a newspaper comic called Salmon Run that featured the work of twelve indie artists. He reached out to me for the project.” Bailey’s contribution to Salmon Run was one of their first published illustrations. 8 | Art Magazine

Bailey was then approached to take part at the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival in 2022, where they contributed their work, “Land Acknowledgement Comic” (see next page), and sat as a panelist with other comic and graphic novel artists. “There was a moment when I was on the panel with Cole Pauls and Whess Harman. They were saying such kind and wonderful things about me. These are people that I'm so in awe of, and to have them talk so nicely about me— surreal!” After Bailey’s participation in the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, Victor Martins at Augur Magazine reached out to Jarrett Evans Samson, the organizer of the Festival, to see if he could recommend anyone who might be interested in a four-page spread in their upcoming magazine. “Jarrett passed on my information after working with me on the Land Acknowledgement Comic. I had full control of the entire story and how I wanted it to look. The only prompt was for it to be a futuristic, dystopian theme: What would happen if the end of the world came, but because of living an Indigenous way of life, only Indigenous people survived. I based a lot of it on my great uncle.”

There, and Back Again In spite of finding so much freedom using the iPad, Bailey finds themselves going back to contemporary art and textiles. “There’s such a stigma around digital art versus traditional art. There’s a fear that comes into play: What does this art mean [if it’s done by a computer]? When I work with the iPad, I tend to get hyper focused on how much detail I add, but it doesn’t always translate well in print. The more experience I have, I find it does translate, but we do want to see the human touch. Things are still of value if they’re not perfect.” Bailey has an interdisciplinary practice that includes beading and textiles, but

Textile art by Bailey Macabre from Nanaimo Art Gallery’s exhibition, Gutters Are Elastic has recently found that a lot of their work relates back to the comic theme. They recently had a six-part textile exhibition at Vancouver Island Regional Library Nanaimo North branch. “I think of it as comic because it’s sequential storytelling. It’s very personal; I was making it as an homage to my grandmother.” The work features beadwork, shells, aluminum chain, and sweet grass. “It features her residential school and shows stages of healing. There's lots of medicine in them, and it shows healing

of intergenerational trauma. They are all 8”x11” with felt frames, and I realized: these are comic panels!” The work also includes some interaction from the public. “I made a little zine to go along with it that’s also about family. It’s such an intense subject for people. I made a shoebox with a pad of paper for people to write down anything that they want to unburden. It’ll get glued shut and burned in a ceremonial fire. It’s about so many things beyond one person’s experience.” 9 | Art Magazine

Inspiring Those That Follow Bailey is passionate about working with young people and feels that they break down a lot of expectations about how someone becomes an artist. “I’m disabled, neurodivergent, and I never went to art school. I was completely influenced by comics, manga, and Sailor Moon.” Bailey always encourages young people working within the comic genre, even if it tends to get looked down upon by other artists. “Look at these amazing worlds they are creating! Look at all those skills they are building! They’re going to get a lot more benefit if their skills are recognized for what they are.”

Coming Home to Yourself The past few years have brought about a lot of change for Bailey, allowing them to really become comfortable as themselves. They are currently the Indigenous Coordinator at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. “I’ll do that as long as my main focus is my art.” “When I was a hairstylist, there was a lot of pressure on us to have our Instagram algorithm just right, and a lot of emphasis on gaining followers. When I stopped doing hair, I stopped caring about it. Just through being myself, I now have lots of followers. I’ve been out in public, and people recognize me from my Instagram profile. I feel so famous, but I’m just me.” We’re very pleased to meet Bailey just as they are and wish them continued growth and success!

Land Acknowledgement Comic by Bailey Macabre, Vancouver Arts Comic Festival, 2022 Interested in learning more? Check out these links: cedarsageskoden.com - Bailey Macabre’s website! tundrawizard.com - Website of Cole Pauls, Tahltan comic artist, illustrator and printmaker hailing from Haines Junction (Yukon Territory) www.vancaf.org - Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, a two-day celebration of comics and graphic novels and their creators augurmag.com - Augur Magazine: a literary magazine that “makes room for writing from uncommon perspectives, and brings together the often disparate realms of literary and genre fiction.” 10 | Art Magazine

by Adriene Jameson

It’s hard to ask for help sometimes. We live in a culture where a grin-and-bear-it mindset and an independent struggle is praised, and where “high maintenance” attitudes are looked down upon. Those beliefs can make your creative practice isolating and unnecessarily onerous. The truth is that we are fortunate to live in a country where there is an abundance of financial assistance available for artists in the form of grants. The difficult part is the same for any new endeavour: exactly where do I start?

What is a Grant Anyway? In a world full of jargon, it can be very easy to be confused with the terms grant and loan. A grant is funding that is made available to an individual, a group of people, an organization, or even a combination of entities, to help reach a goal or improve performance. The organization providing a grant can be a business with a corporate social responsibility, a non-profit organization, or a government body.

Unlike loans, grants are not intended to be paid back; however, the funds must be used in accordance with the terms of the grant, and if they are not, they may need to be returned. This means that you can’t just use the grant funding to buy yourself a new car or a fancy machine— unless the grant terms specifically say that you can!

Believe it or not, knowing who you are and where you align yourself in the world is a very important part of applying for grants.

The reason for this is that grants are usually very specifically designed for a particular vision: to promote a particular type of art, to assist a particular population, or to bring forward a particular cause. The better you know yourself and what you believe in, the easier it will be to align Grants are also considered taxable yourself with the grant’s vision. income within Canada, so it is important to remember to include Know Your Needs any funding you receive in your annual tax return... but we’ll get to If you could have anything to that part later! assist you in your artistic career, what would it be? When they say, Know Thyself “dream big,” this is the time to do it! What would make things easier? “Know yourself and know Or, what is it that you wish you your enemy, and you will knew that you don’t know right never be defeated.” now? — From Sun Tzu, Art of War The first step to applying for grants is to know yourself! What kind of artist are you? What are your values? What are your goals, and also importantly, how will you know when you reach them? How do you see yourself? Do you belong to any particular groups socially or demographically?

Grants can provide funding for lots of things like: equipment materials courses travel expenses promotional materials technical assistance or advice

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Case Study: Bailey Macabre, Writer and illustrator Bailey’s experience with grants is an example of being aware of yourself as an artist and as a person in your community. On their website, Bailey shares that they are “a neurodivergent [diagnosed ADHD / undiagnosed autism] disabled [chronically ill, hypothyroidism, undiagnosed Ehlers Danlos Syndrome / autoimmune issues] queer [bisexual, agender/gendervoid], activist who fights for Indigenous sovereignty, disability rights, and queer/trans rights.” When it comes to grant-writing, Bailey shared that they weren’t always aware of all the funding opportunities for artists. “My cousin passed along the information for Kickstart Disability Arts & Culture. They were doing a call for artists to apply for the Geoff McMurchy Artist Development Grant. I applied but was not confident, but I was the one person that got it. As part of the grant, I got one-on-one mentorship, and even got training on how to apply for grants!” It’s important to think about what might be useful for you ahead of searching for a grant. Have you ever been asked what kind of ice cream you want before you’ve had a chance to think about it? It can be hard to answer the question “What do you need?” without some thought beforehand.

The Grant Process There are normally three phases: Pre-Award Phase: During this phase the grant-awarding entity announces a grant (or grants) and accepts and reviews applications. Award Phase: Applicants are approved, the grant-awarding entity works with the grantee(s) to finalize the legalities of the funding, and the funds are disbursed. Post-Award Phase: A grants management officer is assigned to oversee that the grant is being used for its intended purpose through regular reports submitted by the grantee or on-site audits.

So... Where Are the Grants? Grants are available at all levels of a community: locally, provincially, and federally. Your local arts council is the first place you can turn to if you are looking for places to apply for grants, as they are often the first places a grant may be advertised. We are fortunate here in British Columbia to have a few provincial organizations that provide funding assistance to individuals and groups for a variety of types of projects. Neighbourhood Small Grants neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca Do you have an idea that involves your local community? Do you run a local arts group that just needs a bit of a boost to get things done? The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program provides funding of up to $500 for “projects that connect people socially or involve sharing skills or talents with each other.”

Any resident of BC can apply for this grant. If you’ve spent time thinking through your goals and your needs, you’re already halfway there! BC Arts Council bcartscouncil.ca The British Columbia Arts Council offers three types of grants: Individual arts grants: Onetime grants for artists of all ages and disciplines, including pre-professional artists. Project assistance grants: One-time grants for specific projects initiated by individuals, collectives and organizations. Operating assistance grants: Ongoing support for BC-based, not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations and for-profit book publishers. Lists of available grants are organized by deadline date and are continually updated.

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Arts BC artsbc.org/grant-funding Arts BC is a non-profit organization “that works to connect arts and cultural workers with the tools and professional opportunities they need to excel in their roles and practices.” They have a compiled list of Federal, Provincial, and Regional funding bodies. They also feature a link to a Grants Calendar (provided by Little Dog Creative Consulting) that is a comprehensive grant calendar covering everything from application dates, eligibility details, and deadlines. Arts BC also provides support to its members on the technicalities of grant-writing, as well as their fantastic Arts Hotline (perfect for a panic!) which provides support and troubleshooting for all things arts-related. Call 1-844-ARTS911 for this service, available to all members and non-members.

Canada Council for the Arts canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants

Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples Canada Council for the Arts calls This program supports Indigenous itself “Canada’s Arts Funder.” Its individuals, groups, Indigenous-led mandate is “to foster and promote arts organizations and arts/ the study and enjoyment of, and cultural sector development the production of works in, the organizations that foster a vital arts.” and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem. They have a free, comprehensive webinar about how to apply for Supporting Artistic Practice any Canada Council grant from Funding Canadian arts start to finish, available in English, professionals, groups, and arts ASL, French, and LSQ. organizations who champion the Canada Council for the Arts divides their grant funding into six main areas: Explore and Create Funding for Canadian artists, artistic groups and organizations committed to the creation and dissemination of innovative, vibrant and diverse art. Engage and Sustain Funding for arts organizations to foster a strong foundation for artists in local communities.

Canadian arts sector and boost the capacity for artists to realize work. Arts Across Canada Artists, arts professionals, groups and arts organizations can apply to present and share artistic work with communities across the country, engage more deeply with the public and develop a stronger national profile. Arts Abroad Funding to help to bring Canadian works to the world.

Do you or someone you know need assistance with accessing funding for your artistic goals? Reach out to us at info@ladysmitharts.ca with general inquiries, or visit artsbc.org/grant-funding to see which grants might be right for you.

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Meet the team behind the first adventure of Vincent Van Goat Victoria and Brittany Blouin are sisters who grew up in the Cowichan Valley. Both are big supporters of the arts and of storytelling. Brittany Blouin, who created the storyline for Vincent Van Goat’s first adventure, works as an early childhood educator. Victoria Blouin, who created the likeness of Vincent Van Goat and provided the illustration and design for his first adventure, is an active visual artist in the Cowichan Valley.

Vincent Van Goat is a special member of Ladysmith Arts. Watch for him to make a repeated appearance in upcoming issues of Art Magazine.

Victoria Blouin is a watercolour artist, oil painter, and printmaker. Her artwork explores themes about nature, fantasy, body positivity, and the human form. Victoria recently graduated from Vancouver Island University, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts. She is a Cowichan Valley Arts Council board member and is on the Youth and Family Committee, which focuses on providing art programs for local youth.

See More of Victoria’s Work:

victoriablouin.com instagram.com/victoriablouinart facebook.com/victoriablouinart

Mid Island

Life and Wildlife An art show by Karen Gaetz

March 21- 31, 2024 GUEST ARTIST EXHIBITION 32 HIGH ST, LADYSMITH WWW.LADYSMITHARTS.CA

From the public

H-ART QUESTIONS A space for uplifting accounts from the community. Every edition will showcase your diverse answers to a single question.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE AND WHY?

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From the public

H-ART QUOTES “It's never too late to have a happy childhood.” –Tom Robbins This is my motto. I remind myself to get out of my head and into the moment, to be present in the small joys of the ordinary. It tells me to feel delight, to sing, to revel in my senses. It's my carpe diem for jaunts, adventures, opportunities. I try to have a happy childhood every day. –Pat Smith “I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.” –Ray Bradbury

I love this quote because it reminds me that there will always be people who don’t appreciate the same things I do, but I can still enjoy myself regardless! –Adriene Jameson

"If you can be one thing...be kind." –Unknown I love it because with one daily random act of kindness we can change the world or at least make someone's day brighter! –Lori McCulloch "Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.” –Dorothy Parker

contradictory; however, I believe the process of making art is dependent on both the inspiration to I'm a big fan of Dorothy Parker's create something unique cutting wit and her ability to hit and the technical the mark. In this particular quote, capacity to carry out the attributes of a wild mind and one's vision. disciplined eye may seem –Maggie Wouterloot

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From the public

INSPIRATION CONTINUED . . . "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." –Aristotle This quote represents the search for the inner depth of meaning in art. The artist simply opens a door with which to look through. –L. Louise Lashambe “It's constraints that enable us to create art.” –Seth Godin This quote is for when I make the excuse that I don’t have the right materials, or the right lighting, or the right inspiration to make art. Sometimes, the most compelling art can be made with an old piece of cardboard and a ballpoint pen while sitting in a waiting “Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.” –Vincent Van Gogh Changing careers was not without its challenges, but it made me learn that every chapter holds value, and

room for 15 minutes. Creative solutions often come to us when we have limited time, resources or materials. We can get bogged down by too many choices, and constraints can help focus the mind enough to launch us to creativity. –Inez Braz

embracing a life that makes your entire soul happy means doing what you love, surrounding yourself with people that you love, listening to music that you love and in general, giving yourself permission to be different. I am a mixed media artist, novelist, and professional musician because love was the guiding factor. –Sarah Leo

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ARTS ON THE AVENUE AUGUST 24 & 25, 2024 A Two-Day Juried Arts Festival VENDORS REGISTER ONLINE: JAN 10 - FEB 28

First Avenue, Ladysmith (From Warren Street to Buller Street)

More Information WWW.ARTSONTHEAVENUE.CA

FEATURING: -PARVANEH FARHANGPOUR -JEFF SALMON -SARAH LEO -JOHN EDWARDS -EDITH FISHLOCK -DOUGLAS HOARE -INA-GRIET RAATZ VON HIRSCHHAUSEN

THE CREATIVE PROCESS: The evolution of an idea into its final form through a progression of thoughts and actions.

THANK YOU: For your imaginative contributions, sharing the magical journey of creating something out of nothing <3

A PEN AND A HAND

MY WRITING BECOMING PROCESS One way I write is to set myself in a quiet room with paper and pen without time, pressure or care. I close my eyes and clear my head to free my mind to...imagine. Here is my mantra; Imagine when you close your eyes It’s make-believe you visualize. Imagine when your make-believe Adds color to the world you see. Here is a product; Imagine when you close your eyes And fairy dust puts you asleep All snuggled up with dreams to keep. Imagine when you’re in that world Of adding color everywhere All you see sparkles fresh and fair. Imagine when you’re in that world With air so fresh and water sweet And all that makes your life complete. Imagine when you’re in that dream And see the world as it could be With peace on earth where all are free. (Hours magically have flown by followed by crafting a smooth terrain across the page for each line.)

SONNET 1377: DAWN TABLEAUX Kindle of maple leaves Before they sail upon the providence Of a breath of wind Splash of mallards’ wings as their lake awakes Night frost every blade of grass Unsubstantial spears punctuates Before morning dew from hazels rains And the scene is changed Silent shapes of elk wander Through the rolling mist that rises from the deep Into a reddening sky the soprano cries Of an eagle melt my ears Answered by barred owls throaty calls Hidden in cloaks of cedars

Songs of waterfalls from the creek Are the plays of celestial piano keys While two yearling does in the orchard sleep And their mother stands her watch to keep In the winter garden towhees and quail And Stellers jays down from mountains screech They search the scarcity of seeds to eat Now another of dawn’s paintings is nearly done By the artist we shall never know But who brings the land to life for everyone

FIND YOUR LIGHT Thinking, dreaming... Pulling worlds and starry planet-speckled universes together, visions are led awake. This life is converging. Sky view looking down from great heights, I am riding, gliding gravel roads to desert paths. Wind rushing through hair, Streaming, believing, on my way to achieving, the road of life I tracked. Co-created bliss, unity uncharted, and preplanned amongst glittering stars, the universe responds through sunny wind whispers. Breathing in air, I expand my lungs with arms outstretched, feeling adrenaline, being captain of my soul in reverence to reveries creating light, spilling off sidewalks and under street lamps. It lives to be seen, experienced, and loved, in a blur of multicolored sun or the depths of hope reminded. On a cool autumn day, gazing at life itself, I realized, the light we see is the light we're from. It's meant to be shared.

TAKING STEPS

I soften under the rain Like the earth Released from a hard packed Summer of heat And anxiety Into an autumn afternoon Wrapped in mist. My steps leave impressions As the dog and I explore. My thoughts deepen, Words, phrases, lines of ideas Branch through my brain Taking me back to my desk And the unfinished poem lying there. The leash suddenly tugs me off balance. My companion roots under the leaves Her ears perking at the driveway scattered with hens Pulling me back to living in the moment Breathing the musk of maples Noting the fox toned fir needles Settling into our treads Paw and footprint Side by side. Marking a path towards What must now be written.

A BIG MESS

Honestly I must confess, I really enjoy a ‘big mess’. In the kitchen when I bake, a ‘big mess’ turns into a cake. And in my studio paint and brush, create a ‘big mess’ till they blush, mixing colors happily-leaving messy mainly me. The garden tells you the same thing: A ‘big mess’ still in early spring, yields a future tasty crop -another ‘big mess’ has a job!!! And if you do allow your muse for different music styles to fuse... the outcome will be one ‘big mess’ from rock to blues and pop to jazz! Wherever a ‘big mess’ is around creative reaping can be found. Thus a ‘big mess’, how I look at it, is THE creative super hit, worth to cherish and to treasure to spice up any life’s endeavor.

CREATION A thought at the start Brings the poet to the heart Of the piece But it doesn’t happen in a flash More like a stutter than a dash Until the final release Is it any good? That’s what the poet asks himself He’d redo it if he could But ‘til then, best to place it on the shelf It’s the constant nagging doubt The beginning and the end The knowing that it’s all about The foe and not the friend When will the struggle fit The crime and not the punishment? To reveal the essence of it And where the inspiration went For the poet, “It’s all in a day’s work” The push and the pull And where the troubles lurk Is it empty or is it full? So goes the confidence to write And rewrite throughout the night A master craft to tease Hoping the reader will be moved A worthy effort to be proved Oh, please like it. Will you? Please!

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