ART: what are we fighting for?

Spent a happy hour this weekend moodling through a local art exhibit. "In Pursuit of Excellence" is an annual juried art exhibit featuring local artists, and this one had the added juiciness of featuring three paintings by my talented friend Diane Speirs.  Even better!

The Garibaldi Art Club: One of many local groups celebrating the arts this week.

I can really lose myself at an art show, drinking in the various subjects, themes and media, and --- invariably --- I end up buying a piece or two. Our home is filled with original work from local artists and work by artists from places we've visited. I can't say whether or not it is 'good' art, only that it is art that speaks to our hearts, and enriches our home. Each piece is personal, has its own story and its own place at our place.  

Here are a few tasty samples from the show...

Its BC Arts and Culture Week and artists and arts groups across the province are hosting events and celebrating the arts.  A video clip is making the rounds on the internet this week. The divine Kevin Spacey (yes, I DO have a crush on him!) making an eloquent and beautiful appeal to support arts funding in the US. In it, he refers to the following quote:


During the Second World War, Winston Churchill’s finance minister said Britain should cut arts funding to support the war effort. Churchill’s response: “Then what are we fighting for?”


Kevin, in the same piece says: "Countries go to war, but it is culture that unites us." *sigh* How can you not love him? 


So, here in my small corner of the world, hubby and I do our best to support local art, artists and cultural groups and events. We have a happy little time with it - make a home, feed our souls, dabble in music, painting, theatre. We write. He sings. I appreciate. And here's a little beauty we picked up this weekend to grace our home-away-from-home in Scottsdale. Culture unites us indeed. 

"Dancing Peppers" by Maple Ridge artist, Margaret Bale.
Now, proudly owned by us!

My challenge: How can you support the arts this week?
My tip: Visit www.theactmapleridge.org and see what's happening locally. Buy a ticket. Take a class. Purchase an artist's work...
Have fun!


Visit Diane Speirs here: Alouette Mountain Studio
You can view the video here: Kevin Spacey on the arts
Find out more about BC Arts and Cultural Week: BC Arts And Culture

The Friends of Facebook Love Song Jamboree

Last week, inspired by a post from the Vancouver Observer, I asked my Facebook friends to post their favourite love songs in time for Valentine's Day.  I kicked off the request by posting two of my faves, "Dance Me to the End of Love" and "I'm Your Man" by the inimitable Leonard Cohen, who some say sounds like a week of hard road, but whose dark, gravelly forest of a voice gives me shivers (the good kind) and whose poetry simply breaks me open.

I admit it. I have a weakness for love. I prefer it to a lot of other things. Too many to name. So, in honour of Saint Valentines Day, I am posting my official Friends of Facebook Love Song Jamboree.   I offer it with a wide-open heart and a million thanks for sharing these intimate, haunting, romantic, beautiful, tender, evocative and even quirky-charming tunes. The VERY BEST part of putting together the playlist is the glimpse it's given me into the romantic musical preferences of my Facebook community. As I listen to the songs (pretty much daily since I started building the list) I find myself fondly connecting the song to the sender, and in true Valentine's spirit, getting the message.

My heart has swelled, my eyes have brimmed, and my poetic little soul has been wailing "At Last" in true Etta James style, as I connect to my deep, abiding, and often neglected, love of spoken word, poetics and lyrical renderings.

I am poet. Hear me roar.

Your songs and postings stirred a voice within me. I hear it whisper (in a voice not unlike Leonard's)...
"Be Mine".

Please visit the page Love Song Jamboree to see the Valentine's playlist. then visit iTunes and create a list for yourself.  Spend some time playing it for that special someone. You.

Swooning over the Moon

Ah, summer! The consummate July evening included grilled chicken, fresh corn on the cob and grilled asparagas with pepper & lime. Yum.

Hubby and I sat on the deck and watched the Fraser River flow lazily by. Afterward, drinking lemonade and eating blueberry-peach shortcakes we watched the moon rise above Mount Baker. Good food, big love, and Mother Nature serving up romance by the moonfuls.

Lucky, lucky us.