t’s hard to believe summer–that Edmonton ‘Unobtanium'–is half over. Or for the optimists among us, half begun.
Of course, our summers are longer than we give credit for. It could hit plus 27 many days in September. It may not snow until after Halloween. But still. If we cannot wallow here in the frozen north, what have we got?
I’m here to save you from aimless wallowing. To take my big blogging hand and point you in five wonderful directions–towards art, faith, hope and love–this Friday.
The Leader
This weekend head down to the 124th street gallery district for art from our good friend Marcie Rohr. Her work will be featured at the Daffodil Gallery (10412 124th street) in OFF WHYTE - a show featuring 11 artists who were part of the Whyte Ave Art Walk.
Among other things, you’ll find this new work from Marcie - ‘Bring the Party’.
Bring the Party, Marcie Rohr, 4x6 acrylic on paper.
The opening runs from 1-4.
While you’re down there, sample treats at the world-renowned Duchess Bake Shop, stop to shop at the artful Salgado Fenwick, and visit several more awesome, free galleries.
The Attitude
How about some quotes to ponder today? These are quotes I’ve wanted to post, but I’m not sure I fully agree with them. I may, but I’m thinking them through.
So I present these quotes as ‘the attitude’. Challenges to convention. Grist for the mill. Sand in the oyster.
"Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal.” - Igor Stravinsky
"Artistic temperament is the disease that afflicts amateurs.” - G.K. Chesterton
"Don't you know that every perfect life would mean the end of art?” - Robert Musil
"A guilty conscience needs to confess. A work of art is a confession.” - Albert Camus
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
The Faithful
If you are looking for a way to spice up your spiritual life this summer, might I suggest the Verses project?
This is a project pairing original visual art and music with passages from the Bible. Many voices come together for one contemplative experience.
If you haven’t tried simply being still and meditating on a small chunk of Scripture, give this a whirl. Open the art. Press play on the audio player, and read the verse and short devotional. Then soak.
Then read the devotional though. Then soak.
Repeat.
This week’s meditation is Psalm 127:7-8.
The Outlier
This wink the belover Pinky Finger points towards our beloved Alberta Ave. A block party is underway from Arts On The Ave and this very evening you can take a printmaking workshop, free, with our friend Stephanie Medford.
You’ll learn the basics of linocut printmaking in this 2 hour crash course from 7-9 PM TONIGHT at the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts.
You should also take some time to read Stephanie Medford’s blog, Everyday Artistry. Some intriguing posts there, like 14 Creative Ways to Relax and Take a Break.
The Unsung Hero
There are many things that can get away of a fulfilling arts career. One is the lack of time, and I recommended a book last week to help with that. Making time for your work is critical.
But there’s still that pesky money problem.
What if you could manage your money so well that you had more of it, without working any harder? This week I signed up for The Simple Dollar, a blog on money management and simple living. The first thing I got as a thank you was a document. Everything You Ever Really Needed to Know About Personal Finance on Just One Page.
Honestly. It’s amazing. And it’s totally free. Creative Commons. So I’m allowed to repost it right here.
Here is page one. There are actually 49 pages in the document. This one master plan and 48 more to unpack it. I haven’t read through it yet. But from what I see here, it’s a goldmine. Maybe even literally.
by Trent Hamm - The Simple Dollar - http://www.thesimpledollar.com/