Capturing Creativity

Thoughts, ideas, future project possibilities flit through my head at the least expected times. Sometimes they come as I am drifting off to sleep, sometimes they appear on a long walk. Some are great ideas, some ordinary, most, forgotten. Then when I have time to sit and create I am left staring at a blank piece of paper wondering what I'm going to create. How does that happen, and what can I do about it? Here is a great article by Steven Pressfield about learning to recognize and capture those great ideas we've all had.

Douglas Coupland at the Vancouver Art Gallery

 Douglas Coupland is a celebrated Canadian who is often better known for his books than for his artwork. The Vancouver Art Gallery is presenting the first major survey exhibit of the his art work this summer. His work "addresses the singularity of Canadian culture, the power of language, as well as the ever-pervasive presence of technology in everyday life." The title of the exhibition is Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything references an engagement with place and cultural identity as well as addressing the effects of our free access to information, images and technology.

Much of his work uses everyday objects and includes pop culture references. I found his work to be accessible, ironic, at times distopian and at other times humorous. The exhibition runs until September 1, 2014 and I would recommend checking it out. (Including the giant outdoor "gumhead" self portrait of the artist just outside the gallery on Howe)

Greeting Card contest

Hey all artist/creative people,
Check out this Strathmore Greeting Card Contest. It's pretty open for what you can do. Use a Strathmore paper product and create something fall/winter themed.
This would be a great chance to get your work out there! (I will be creating something to submit) (Oh, and there are prizes)

Ramblings from a Road Trip

A couple weeks ago I went on a road trip to Calgary to see my sister as a belated birthday surprise. We began our journey here in the Lower Mainland where lush, full spring had arrived and was showing off her colors and variety. We drove up and down through five impressive mountain ranges until it leveled out into foothill country surrounding Calgary. As we got further away and higher up it changed from lush full greenness to just a brush of the lightest green on the tips of the trees to dull grey winter as we neared each summit. Then, as we descended again, gradually a hint of bright green would appear until it looked like spring again. (Although nowhere was quite as full and lush as home).

 

 Roger's Pass Summit

Shushwap Lake area

 

 

 Drumheller

 

After a day or two in Calgary we continued our road trip to Saskatoon. Driving further east we hit stereotypical prairie. Flat farmland as far as the eye could see, endless blue sky with fluffy white clouds playing across it and iconic grain elevators sprinkled randomly across the land.

Upon arriving in Saskatoon I discovered that it is a beautiful city. Its downtown boasts some lovely architecture, both large scale churches and hotels as well as unique homes. We spent a lovelly day touring the Mendell Art Gallery, walking by the river, as well as visiting a tea shop and yarn store. And then we drove back: first to Calgary, where we spent another day, then home, finally. It was a lovely trip, but I must say that by the end of it baby and I were tired of sitting in the car and were very glad to get home!

 

University Bridge

a Pelican on the South Saskatchewan River

 Family