Happenings from Casa De Sanctuary.....

Hello;
Thanx for stopping in at the Casa,the weather is getting a tad cooler in these parts come sit and i will turn my fireplace to warm you and maybe a cup of Chai to warm your inner self.

Today Sunday September 27th is a month that i have been here with the residency. I continue to believe that time does fly... I am settled in home and studio loving every inch inside and out. The creativity is flowing for which i am so grateful for. Being surrounded by creatives is like breathing fresh air but in my case ideas,thoughts and insights.

My space has been blessed with the diverse presence of friends and blessings of friends,the culinary side of me has spilled out and so i cook for a couple of reasons one being i enjoy cooking/baking and 2. one does not have the ethnic food choices in this neck of the woods which in many ways ends up being a blessing on the pocket book.

I am trying to keep most of my dollars in my community by supporting local businesses,farmers etc and its been interesting thus far with the variety from a cheese farm to a coffee roaster,fresh produce etc..

Thank you for supporting my creative work schedule,upcoming October becomes more about outreach and workshops and the ongoing evolution of my body of work. I will share what that looks like as each piece is being born and document the growth of it.

The Artists Way still receives my daily attention and already i see some creative differences. I am working my way towards my house blessing when my hopes is too see many of u before i go more underground with my body of work and residency responsibilities.

Pics Above:

1.My quiet corner with the view of the water,i write my morning pages from here and just sit and be early on in my day...

2. Goddess to go....Miss Lisa is holding one of my creations that is going to her mother in Edmonton Alberta as a birthday present. Lisa's mom saw a similar piece at Debbie and Lisa's space in Maple Ridge she fell in love with this piece and told me so...now this was a number of years back and lo and behold Lisa's mom will become the proud owner of a goddess to go!!!

3. Ranger Station Art Gallery Reception.....Lindsay Craig standing by one of her funky vases.Lindsay's work was quite enjoyable i enjoyed every day that its been here.

4. My dear dear Cal and Eve visiting from Ontario( Cal is my art mentor)

5&6. Two pieces in progress( the black and white piece will be a shadow box,the door found in an alley will be a light box)

7. sample piece of silk painting made by yours truly

8. OH the joy of creative friends and me having a studio what an awesome mix!!! Cindy teaching me the steps in Silk painting it was a blast!!!

9. Camp Juice a sandcastle workshop for the youth....Unfortunately this year there was to be no major sand sculpture competition.However we had a little tease that would appear people visiting Harrison have enjoyed.

Its a work day today for me in the gallery from 1-5 pm, a fall cool day but the sun is shining with the flow of art seekers steady throughout the gallery doors..I'm a bit worn out with a womyns workshop that i co-facilitated on Saturday...and more workshops to begin in the weeks to come but i gotta tell ya at the time of this writing there's a satisfied grin on my face and a full heart.

Hey let that sun shine in anyway it can.....

Till we meet again;
Rhonda

Settling Inside and Out..............

Hola;
How are you??? I am alive and kicking here at Casa De Sanctuary!!! that's my name for my new space. why name it u ask...well in my travels last year about Mexico it was something that i noticed, is people would name their places. One of the reasons i observed was some of the places were off the beaten path especially in the jungle and naming it made it easier to ask for directions and the other thing is its personal and a great way to claim your space.

I've been focused on settling into my inside and outside space...its such a pleasure to have more space and truly be able to spread out and to have my very own studio..Those of u just joining me here i lived in Vancouver in a studio apt of 400 sq feet,so doubling my space is like winning the housing lottery.

A frequent question that keeps being asked is aren't u lonely??? hmmm lonely for what and who has time as I've literally been thrown into the residency with deadlines galore plus the beginning process of creating my body of work,i fall into bed most nights at 10pm from exhaustion.

My days begin at 7-730 am with a hour walk around the lake..i roll out of bed throw on my clothes and out the door sleepwalking with my eyes wide open but fuzzy brain.not sure what that will look like when the frequent rains come(groan)

Upon arrival home..tea kettle goes on..computer turned on..tea is ready i sit in my chair by the window looking at the view of the lake..a couple of sips of tea then reach for my notebook as i am doing the Artists Way.one of the components is morning pages(3 pages written about anything)

That's done..tidy up..call my daughter and then tackle computer tasks....Then its Studio Time,which brings me to my work schedule..

In order to gain and create the most from this residency year i have had to implement a focused work schedule. So i am unavailable from 10 am -2 pm Monday-Friday as i create away..

Saturday and Sundays i am at the Gallery from 1 pm-5 pm

Its early into it but i am committed to bringing my creativity forward into reality. Thus far Shadow(the cat) and I are enjoying our beautiful casa.

Please take a look at the above pics and i think they speak for themselves...Thanx so much for reading along as i create....

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda


Pics:

1-3 This is my walk in the mornings as u can see the landscape is breathtaking

4. My bathroom with a clawfoot tub and a goddess blessing the space.(the view from the window, the lake)

5. My beloved studio

6.My office nook and spare bedroom

7.Living room

8.My bedroom

9.Living room with shadow hanging out

10. Kitchen

The Residency Begins................

Hey there......
Thanx so much for popping in,its good to see you. I am now full time in Harrison Hot Springs,gotta tell ya I'm liking it. Yesterday i finished up the loose ends in Vancouver and was i glad to get back to my new quiet hood!!!

Due to the fact that i have many deadlines upon me i will take this week off to organize home and studio spaces. My bed faces the window on the water,what a beauty view. The first night here one would think i would sleep through from a moving day from hell,nope i awoke thinking that something was wrong as it was very quiet!!!

There has been company and more coming despite the fact that I've been here 5 days only,i received much needed help with moving heavier items,the lowering of my daybed etc..thanx gals!

My gallery work schedule is Saturday and Sundays 1-5 pm and soon a studio work schedule stay tuned....The purpose of this blog is to document my artists residency throughout the year it may be helpful for anyone who is interested in applying , also for the non artists as to what a residency is about and how they can be supported.

I shall return as each creative day unfolds,for those of u not close by this is a window into my artists world and i welcome your input and feedback.

Pictures:

1. This way folks to the gallery come on down!!

2.Harrison Hot Springs Banner

3 & 4. My morning walk(nice surroundings and i don't wear my headphones as no noise has to be blocked out)

5. Working it on my drum

6. The lowering of the daybed(Jody and terry)

7.My fave little girly pink hammer Jody bent(what were u thinking?) not a useful tool for the job

8. Jody and a very useful tool for the daybed

9. The first gathering and blessings of good friends and food

10. Flowers from Cindy E. given to me at the welcome reception at the gallery August 16/09


Well that's all i write for today i am off to make some sense of the studio as i will be having a play art date on Thursday...

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda