1/19/2019 0 Comments Make it HappenI have an amazing friend who goes through life expecting that what she wants to happen will happen. For the most part it does. School, family, career, you name it; things fall into place to fit the way she wants them too. But it's not wave your wand say a magic word in quasi latin and poof there it is* magic. It takes hustle and planning and work. Sometimes it takes re-adjusting what she wants to fit in with things beyond her control because life often throws us a curve ball here and there to keep us on our toes. She makes it happen. She's magic and I'm forever grateful to have her in my life. Last year when there were a lot of "what ifs" and scary changes being juggled up in the air, I decided that I was going to take a page from her book. I looked, really really looked at what was going on with my career, my art and my family and decided what was important to me, what I wanted to make happen. Then I took up the Mantra; "It's going to all fall into place". Then I started to work for it. I updated my resume**. I researched the options of whereI could do what I love, looked up who to contact at these places and went to work. Things started to fall into place, mostly because of quantum.*** I hustled, I planned and I got to work, with a little help from my friends and family, because noone is an island. With all of that in place, oppurtunities started to present themselves. I took on a temporary teaching gig at Place Des Arts in Coquitlam. I began talks with the Pacific Autism Family Network about a teaching opportunity in a new program (JET) for adults with special needs and I started to hear back from some of the places I'd applied. It's not been super smooth sailing. there have been long periods of waiting, and adjustments and re-adjusting because of those life thrown curve balls. I've kept my mantra going. The thoughts we put out have energy, even if that energy only affects our own point of view. So I'm teaching one day a week so far with the JET program at PAFN with the option to add more days as the program grows. I'm doing an artist in residence two day workshop at a school in West Vancouver, I'm joining the Shadbold Centre in Burnaby to teach in my community for after school programs. I'm offering mini term sessions at Muckabout Gift Gallery and I'm booked for Spring Break camps and Summer Programing at Place Des Arts in Coquitlam. All these activities will be updated in Classes and workshops on this site as registration becomes available. And with all that I'm still hustling because you have to put the work in to make it happen. *Sometimes there's a little bit of that, because who doesn't enjoy a little magic in their life right? ** note to self, keep that sucker updated as you go from now on. trying to remember where and when I taught specific workshops and classes, showed art and volunteered after x number of years teaching, volunteering, and showing art is exhausting. *** I'm a full on believer in quantum.
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1/3/2019 0 Comments Transition Time2018 is now officially in the past and we're looking forward to the future. Here at Peanut Butter Pie Art, the future as my cousin so hilariously pointed out on facebook is hazy and at the moment and a little uncertain. It's transition time; and change, while ultimately a good thing is a scary and sometimes pain filled activity. Transition time has actually been in the works for a while now; so I'm not standing at the edge dipping my toes in the water unsure of how deep it's going to be or were that big drop is under the surface. I was given a little notice about what was looming, and I've been getting ready so when the shallows drop into the deep I'll be ready to float and swim with the currents. It has been officially announced at Artspace that the center will be closing it's doors this spring. I've had to hold onto that information for awhile. I knew it was coming but it doesn't make the announcement any easier to hear. Artspace gave me a platform to do what I truly love to do; teach and make art with children. I've had the privilge of working with some amazing people there. From my fellow instructors to the administration staff. And the families! As a raging introvert feeling like a part of the community is a huge hurdle. It's not in my nature to cold start a conversation let alone build so many connections on my own. Artspace allowed me a strong foundation to build a framework within my community and i am so glad to know so many people through a connction with Artspace. Getting to know the children and thier grown-ups; seeing familiar faces in a camp lesson or at the begining of a new term, at other events and out in the neighbourhood is so wonderful. As I say goodbye to Artspace this year I know that these relationships are going to continue. I will always be thankful to have been a part of such a fantastic and needed facility. As one door was beginning to close I made it a goal to keep up the get out of the comfort zone that Artspace afforded me and teach in other venues. I've been reaching out to centres, residencies and programs with my curriculum vitae and portfolio. While plans are not completely cemented at the moment and still in flux, some things are falling into place. I've been considering what I really want to do over the last year and I'm putting my full energy into what that is. While there are changes afoot there are some things that are being kept the same. I'm still at Muckabout working two days a week and offering some classes there. I'll be updating the lesson page today. I am still doing my open studio time for advanced independant students. I also have a mini term program; Beyond Basics on Saturday mornings. it's a painting and drawing style program that uses contemporaty and art historical art as inspiration for each weekly project. Each lesson incorporates the elements and principles of art and design and encourages critical thinking and creativity. As with any of the classes available at Muckabout you have the option to choose a date or time that better fits your schedule, simply email Muckabout with a selection of dates and times and we'll work something out. I will be at Place Des Arts in Coquitlam for their spring break camp, having just completed teaching the fall term Drawing and Painting class. I was subbing for one of the regular teachers there and loved the experience. I am also starting a new program with the Pacific Autism Family Network called the JET program. At the moment it's in it's infancy but growing. I will be sharing this work on the gallery page with other student work. I hope your holidays, whatever tradition you follow or not was restful, full of fun and that your new year is full of possibility. |
Peanut
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