Off the Beaten Path

Ok so I haven't posted for a while. Today is another chemo day. Treatment #9 of 12. Almost done. As long as they don't keep pushing it back. That's what happened last week. My blood work was low so the gave me an extra week.

But I don't want to talk about my cancer this week.

Today I want to talk about art. Specifically this online course I'm taking from Linda Womak. She's an encaustic artist from Portland Oregon and her work is amazing. Check her work out here: http://www.lindawomack.com/
There is also a link to her online classes.

The class I'm taking is all about collage. I started out ok following step by step. And then something amazing happened. The wax flowed into this really cool bird shape and I just had to run with it. I did manage to collage in some book pages for a nest but that was all.

It was a little life lesson I think. Even though I was following this specific path something happened to take me in a totally different direction. And that's ok. I was open to it. It's a little bit scary sometimes to take a step off that path, but the rewards can be amazing.

I don't know what I am going to do once all this cancer stuff is done. I need to get back to work but what that will look like, I'm not sure. Do I go back to what I know? Or do I try something completely different? I know I need to make money. That's the reality. But how I do that is wide open at this point. I will just have to wait and see what life has planned for me and keep my eyes open for those unexpected steps off the beaten path

Naps, Reason, Faith and More Naps!

It's been a while since my last post. At least it feels like it to me. This last round of chemo seems to have hit harder then the others. My main issue this time is all the sleeping I do. I know that chemo kills good cells along with the bad cells and if I'm sleeping all the time because my blood cells need to regenerate then it must be working. But it's very much taking that statement in faith. I have no proof to say yes this is working.

I've never been much on organized religion. I totally understand what faith and church mean to other people. The sense of community of belonging. Its very powerful. It's just not for me.

I still struggle sometimes in what my belief and faith are. As much as I'm a science geek I firmly believe in a greater power. I'm just not sure what that power is. Is it God, Budda, fate karma or some Alien species? I don't know. But that's part of what faith is. Believing without knowing, without proof. I do know everything has a purpose and that everything happens for a reason. I just have this compulsion to know what the reason is. It makes for interesting late night conversations with myself.

I don't believe that reason and faith are mutually exclusive. They actually complement each other. It's the blind faith I have issues with. And I'm sort of stuck in a position where I have to take things on blind faith. It's a rather scary position to be in.

So I nap and think and struggle. And nap. And nap some more. Mostly nap.

Sometimes I think trees must have the answer. Their long life gives them a perspective unlike anything else. If only I spoke tree. Ah well. I will continue to leave my doors open and question and believe and have faith that yes there is a reason and yes the chemo is working. And Nap!

Blog Hop and Swap... or is That Swap and Hop?

I apologize for being late posting this.  Life kinda got away from me this week, namely a kitten we -meaning me- picked up.  He's adorable, but with two full grown labs, and another adult cat, it makes for interesting times.  Especially since the only one who really has issues is the kitten.  I think we've decided on Mmrr for a name.

OK, so we only got the kitten last night, but I am the queen of procrastination, and had planned on doing this post last night. lol.  That's life for you.

I took this online course called Building a Creatively Made Business with a whole lot of other creative and wonderful ladies.  Stacey Curry from Star Hitched Wagon came up with the idea of doing an item swap and blog hop.  The last blog hop I did was so much fun, that I said yes to this one. 

The lady I got partnered up with is Carolyn, a fellow Canadian.  What Fun.  I did up two separate pieces for her, and in return she sent me the most wonderful gift in return.

I am not sure how many of you are aware that I am currently going through Chemo for colon cancer.  But I am, and its created a great deal of chaos and change in my life.  That's why I was so thrilled to get what I did from Carolyn.  She took the time to make a gift especially for me.  I had all kinds of little extras with it, and she even took the time to scent the blanket with aromas that promote healing and peace.  I am always amazed at the thoughtfulness and support that is gifted to me from people who really are complete strangers.  I only know them through the course and Face Book.  Thank you so much Carolyn for the fabulous gift.  It arrived at just the perfect time for me. 

She sent a prayer shawl/lap blanket (in my favourite colour), a coffee cozy, a book by Beth Moore and some tea.  Yummy soothing delicious tea.  She sent three but used one before I remembered I was supposed to take pictures.  I use the blanket every day to snuggle in.  Its the perfect weight for summer.  I'm always cold, especially since I started Chemo, and this is just perfect to keep me warm without overheating me.

This was so much fun.  Here's the list of the fellow participants.  Please take the time to check them out. Happy Blog Hopping!

Brenda Geiger

http:// www.Brendageigerdesigns.com

Carolyn Carelton

http://www.cjcarleton.com/

Cathy Purcell

http://www.catherinepurcelldesigns.com/

Christa Thomas

http://www.mypenandpaintbrush.com

Deborah King

http://lifewhileimwaiting.blogspot.com/

Jenna Alexander

http://prairiemountainlife.blogspot.com/

Joanne Freeman

http://www.sjjtst.blogspot.com.au/

Kate Gadd

http://KateGadd.blogspot.com/

Lis Dunn

www.papermellie.typepad.com

Lisa Lovestrand

http://aboutthetown.typepad.com/

Liz Bradley

http://mylovelylittlelulu.blogspot.com/

Mikel Lyman

http://designsbymikel.blogspot.com/

Pam Klenczar

http://www.PamlaKlenczar.blogspot.com/

Renee Ortiz

http://www.ReneeOrtizStudios.com/

Renee Sendelbach

http://embracinglifeloveart.blogspot.com/

Sheila Rumney

http://www.blessedanddistressed.blogspot.com

Stacey Curry

http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com/

Oh Where Did My Mojo Go?

It's been a while since I posted on here. I think I've hit a bit of a motivational roadblock.

I was supposed to have chemo last Monday but they pushed it to tomorrow. Said my blood levels were too low and I needed an extra week to heal. That really threw me for a loop. I'm more of a if this is what's needed lets do it and get done kind of gal. I just want chemo to be done.

Cancer is hard because it's pretty much hidden. Chemo makes you unwell and the side effects are no fun but unless you have the more visible side effects you could conceivably hide it from everyone.

I don't like to hide things so when people I know ask me how I'm doing I say very tired. When they ask why I tell them. They all react differently. I suppose it could be considered not nice to spring that in a casual conversation, but it shouldn't be. Cancer is far more prevalent then I knew. Lots of people have had it.

I'm not trying to make light of it, it is a serious disease which can be fatal. But so can crossing the street, or flying in a plane or walking in a thunderstorm. It's all about the odds. And I've never really paid attention to them. I don't even know what my odds are with my cancer. Lol. The doctor didn't need to use them to convince me to take chemo. And I don't want to know. I want to focus on living. How long I live is up to fate; it's what I do with the life I have that's important.

It's been an interesting trip so far. I'm discovering what I can and can't do during treatment. I'm learning to say no and I miss working something fierce. I'm filling up the not working thing with art and putting on the odd workshop at the local art centre but for someone who is a working single mom it's hard to have free time.

I think that plays into my lack of motivation. Or maybe it's just a stage that too will pass.

Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll get my mojo back. In the meantime I'm entertaining myself with online dating. Ha! I can't believe how many guys don't know how to read. I get responses from guys looking to hook up when I say I'm not interested in hooking up. It's way too funny. I think I might have to do another post on my adventures in the online dating world.

In My Own Backyard

Another May long weekend has come and gone. This year a little different. No camping. Missed out on that last year but that was flood and work related. This year totally due to lack of energy. And active participation from my kids. They used to love camping but now? They are teenagers and it's hard to adjust to that. I miss my little kids. Lol. I suppose they have to grow up sometime!

I spent most of the weekend sleeping although I did manage to get to the Farm Gate Market on Saturday. Its put on by the Riding Mountain Biosphere Preserve (we have a Unesco designated area right in our own back yard. How cool is that?) promoting local producers and artisans. http://rmbr.ca/

I'm amazed at what you find locally and how passionate and inspiring people are. I met a lady who has Mongolian yurts. Its an artist retreat. Check out her website. I think it would be fun. http://www.journeyhomeartistretreat.ca/Home_Page.html

I wish I had taken pics on Saturday but I was too busy talking to people. Finding out what inspires people and why they do what they do! My daughter was just shaking her head but I think she was a little bit impressed too! Maybe.

All in all it was a good weekend. Even with no campfire!

I did buy a nifty new purse and made a donation to get some native prairie cone flowers. Whoo hoo!

Unpacked Boxes

Chemo is coming up again on Monday. I'm trying not to think about that too much. This morning the sun is shining, the dogs are with me and I'm enjoying a peaceful cup of coffee on my front porch. I say peaceful because I only have one teenager home. The other went to a sleep over. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and wouldn't trade them for anything. But teenagers are NOT peaceful.

I've been sitting here contemplating many things. Not deep thinking. A person can only handle so much of that. But more practical and prosaic thoughts like what to have for breakfast and I really need to finish reorganizing upstairs so I can get back to arting. And what the heck is my dog staring at. I don't see anything.

It was a busy crazy couple of weeks. I entered a couple of my art pieces in the Juried art show which of course was during chemo week. My son started ball again and had his first game Thursday. I had an art morning session with the gals from the Dauphin Art Group. And I decided it was time to move my art stuff out of the kitchen and create my own studio space.

I am a habitual pack rat with the potential to become a hoarder. I've got boxes that have moved with me for the past 13 years but I've never unpacked them. I decided it was time to deal with it. Of course I decide this every couple of months or so and never do anything about it.

But this week was different. It's a been a good week energy wise. And for some reason I'm actually doing it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm craving my own space or I'm using it as a surrogate for cleaning out emotionally. There are still a lot of unpacked boxes hiding in corners in my mind that need to be dealt with. But dealing with the emotional is draining so dealing with the physical is a good substitute.

This whole cleaning and getting rid of stuff is turning out to be surprisingly freeing. And the bonus is I'll have a room all to myself to create or just hang out in and wonder what the heck my dog is staring at!

Evolution of a Reluctant Artist

I have been privileged to sign up for a an online art course through Christy Tomlinson called the Art of Wild Abandonment, and she wasn't kidding.  This time she had a guest guide by the name of Junelle Jacobsen.  Both are amazing artists in their own right and excellent guides for us newbies!

And I am a newbie. I think of myself as a scientist, I love science and math and all that logic. I can pick out patterns in numbers, and think critically and logically.  A couple of years ago, due to my own stupidity (and yes there is no other word than stupidity to describe what I did), I ended up in the hospital with a Holy crap life is way to short moment.  It inspired me to gather my courage and try and repair some relationships I'd let slide.  Wasn't easy, but I, we, did it.  In the course of spending time with my Auntie Heather (who I rarely call auntie anymore-there is only 6 years between us) I discovered she wasn't the same person that I had known.  She too was on life changing journey.  She had discovered the Brave Girls Club, and an online course called Soul Restoration.  I thought that if this course had helped her so much, maybe it would be worthwhile for me to give it a try.  I ignored the art bit.  But it sucked me in, and I discovered that doing the art bit was fun, and not as intimidating as I thought.

Thus began my Arty Journey, and I've ended up here taking this amazing course with amazing ladies and to my absolute horror, I have discovered I have a creative side....and its taking over!

I have to say this course has pushed me way outside my comfort zone.  I don't draw, although I do sketch. And I have definitely been inspired by all the messy classes. 

What this class and all the support from all of you fantastic ladies has allowed me to do is push way outside the box.  I found ways to frame existing pieces inspired by Christy's creative colour course..

...to figuring out how to do my tree.  I started with the 11x17 canvas, but got stumped

Then I started sketching, and came up with this beauty.

And finally, this was the final result.  Can you find the animal face?

Amazing.  I even got brave enough to enter them into the Parkland Regional Juried Art Show.  The reception is tonight and I plan on adding a few more photos for sure, and the results.  Nervous and excited.


OK, so I just got back from the Juried art Show, and holy!  Positive feedback from the judges and the other artists.  Comments from the judges included for Dragon flies: "Has a neo-native New age feel. Interesting contrast between delicate muslin and heavy tiles."  I have to admit the dragonflies is my favourite piece.

For Tree Dreams: " Choice of pink for leaves (not blooms) is gutsy.  Loads of personality here and inventiveness." "I can't make out what the text in the background says so it becomes another texture.  Conceptually it reads like subliminal chatter or a radio you can barely hear" 

All in all a successful art show and first step on to becoming a professional artist.  And I couldn't have done it without this class.  Thank you all for your support and feedback.  You are all wonderful artists in your own right.  Yay for us!

Welcome to those of you that hopped over to here from Cheri Andrews  www.cheriandrews.blogspot.com.  Your next stop on this awesome blog hop  is  Christine Piazza http://www.cmcscrap.blogspot.com/  Have fun hopping through these amazing blogs!