Today's Painting in the Park: Wear Black!

Hi painting peeps,

We are on our 3rd session today :)
Our materials for today are watercolour and black India ink,
so wear dark coloured clothing!

See you soon, 7pm by the Greenhouse at Chinguacousy Park.

Conversations with Fear

Dear Fear,

What is your purpose?

Why do you knock so loud?

What are you trying to tell me?

Why the hell do you choose to stick around?

(fear answers, somehow instilling more fear in me)

What!?

That's preposterous I don't like you! I don't want you around!I so do not have a crush on you.

hmm...

(reflecting on fears' accusations that I keep it around, love it, follow it always, am it's # 1 fan, subscribe to it not only in my nightmares but also in my thoughts, and dreams.)

So you're saying that by using you, fear, as a justification for not doing something, I sabotage myself and keep myself away from all of the lovely experiences I could have?

Fear smiles it's ugly smile.

 _____________________________________________________________________

I just finished reading Jen Sincero's 20th chapter entitled, Fear is For Suckers, from her book, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. I laughed out loud in the streets because her perspective on life just kills me! She describes a moment in her life where her and her friend decided to go on a road trip and hike into a cave. When she gets down on all fours, deep into the cave and is on the cusp of freaking out from being in a closed off, scary, dark place, where a "monster" could get her at any given moment, she stops.

By the way, I did not include the laugh out loud part, you have to read it for yourself.

In the darkness she decides that she will calmly exit the cave, instead of the alternative of going bat shit crazy, because as she reflected, "The choice was mine." 

It is you who decides what you want to do with the fear that arises within you.

Do you continue to stay closed because opening up to something new and awesome is too scary or do you take a chance and experience a newness that you would have never imagined?

Today's Painting in the Park: Greenhouse Solo

Hi All,

Last week's Painting in the Park was a great success, thank you for those who came out!
It was a peaceful and inspiring event. Below is a drawing collage created from the session.

For today's class the weather is on the stormy side, and unfortunately
I have an eye infection so I won't be able to attend, but I urge
participants who are interested to continue the session, solo style.
If it rains try sketching in the greenhouse, it's full of beautiful plants.

Here are some tips from last week to guide you on your journey:

• Focus on one object, flower, weed, or leaf and draw a full page of the same thing
• Experiment drawing your object from different angles, and sizes
• Take your time or rush, press hard or soft, depending on your desired outcome
• When you feel like you have practiced enough put together some of your favourite images and play with different compositions
• Remember be easy on yourself, and try not to be attached to the eraser, mistakes are welcome! 

 

Painting in the Park Series Begins Tomorrow!



I am excited to share some work from a recent trip to the Pine Farm Orchard north of Vaughan.
http://www.pinefarmsorchard.com/

http://beata-kski.tumblr.com/

At tomorrow's Painting in the Park class we will start with an introduction class with sketching and pattern creation. Meeting spot is in front of the greenhouse, but we will move into the open field behind the benches. Please email to confirm and reserve your art bag with supplies.
Chinguacousy Park is in full bloom so come and get inspired!

Painting in the Park Starts Next Thursday!

 

 

 

Join The Art Connect for Painting in the Park at Chinguacousy Park at 7 pm by the Greenhouse entrance. We will explore spontaneous abstract painting and nature sketching.

 
The Paint in the Park package includes watercolour paper, watercolour paints, and a paint brush for $20.00.

You will leave with a wealth of knowledge and at least one new artwork to frame.
**Don't forget to bring a blanket and an open mind :)

Life Hiccups

HICCUP. Excuse me for the interruption. HICCUP. I was thinking that maybe I would like to HICCUP....

Why do we experience life hiccups? What are life hiccups, you may ask? It's when we doubt ourselves so often that there isn't time for anything else. So how do we get rid of these "life hiccups"?

It all starts with you visualizing exactly what it is you want out of life. To get more clarity you can ask yourself these questions:

What am I lacking in life, right now, that would make me feel a ton better?

How do I start my day? Am I productive right from the beginning?

How do I feel? Does it match up with how I want to be feeling?

Take some time to reflect on these questions and begin to note the gaps from where you are to where you want to be. Then have the audacity and begin to imagine yourself there.

Remind yourself that it's just the beginning...

   

"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You can imagine what you desire, you will want what you imagine, and at last, you will create what you will."              

George Bernard Shaw  

 

 

Summer Creation

We are almost half way into the Summer break. Our skin is glowing, hair is frizzy from humidity, and bellies full of fresh fruit. There is so much potential for creating in these months because everything is abundant with life. We aren't as concerned with time as much because the sun stays around for longer. This may cause large amounts of relaxation to occur, a little too many long island iced teas being sipped, or maybe random smiles painted on our faces. I'm writing a thank you note to the Summer Season's because in Canada we are blasted with a variety of weather and I want to take the time to say Thanks.

Dear Summer;

Your warm winds,
Feeling their touch caress my cheeks,
Your cool waters,
Taking deep breaths before I plunge,
Your patios that stay open long into the morning,
Talking, laughing, enjoying each moment,
Your trees rustling in the breeze,
Sitting still and listening,
Or walking barefoot on rocks and in forests

We Are All Creators

Don't forget that your choices are not given to you, you do not inherit them, they are yours. You create your life through the way you think, speak, and act. Remember this the next time an excuse swims out of your mouth or that you claim to be the victim. Try to be conscious of the list below because the results of our actions determine how we live and feel. Also, we all may fall into ruts, but we don't have to continue being in them. Have a happy Saturday!


(found on pinterest)

Stop Being such an Adult Already! Just do it!

When starting something new how do we approach it?
Just do it! Yes, the urge to dive in is definitely there, why hold back, right?
I wonder why it takes us so long to do or be that which ignites our passionate heart.
Are we waiting to be ready?
Do we feel the need for permission? and if so, who's?

If our intuition is guiding us, and our knowledge of ourselves is telling us that we will be happy, have more fun, inspire ourselves and others, then what else to do but listen to it and act. Lets get moving!

How to get started: take the plunge

People learn in different ways depending on their comfort levels, habits, and skills.
Do you need to test the water first with your toe? You may want to start off by researching, reading, creating a Pinterest account and collecting inspiration, networking and talking to people who are doing what you want to do. Remember to soak in as much advice about what you are interested in, keep a journal and expanding your knowledge, it will only feeds your passion. You may also want to take an online class or workshop, and then if you feel ready take a class. I also suggest starting a blog and documenting and reflecting your progress. Oh yes and don't stop!

Once you have found your true love, whether it is writing, poetry, design, typography, illustration, crafts, whatever it may be, keep going!

Remember, "Every artist was first an amateur" Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have no fear, but loads of fun, and get exploring!