Kiyooka Ohe Art Center (KOAC) on July 4, 2020

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Painter Lady

I was, just now, sitting on the red couch sipping coffee, Max sprawled out on the cool floor beside me. I was listening to an old Live From Everywhere session with Craig Cardiff on Instagram. He was writing a song for a couple from Milwaukee, as they shared their story of meeting and falling in love and staying in love. I got really emotional and as I came down the stairs, strangely, big tears were plopping down my cheeks and falling off my chin. What? What is going on? I think they were blessing-tears. I just feel so blessed.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take a morning drive out to KOAC, in order to do some yard work with a group of wonderful volunteers gathered together by wonderful connector, Alice Lam. I was surrounded by mostly younger folk and it gave my heart such joy to see these people working so hard to make something beautiful even more beautiful. I hope to work alongside these people again. Thank you, Alice.

Alice is seen, here, on our lunch break, eating a fresh lively salad provided by a fantastic start up that has its own magical story. Through the pandemic experience, Inspired Go has been a company that stepped up and connected with community, in order to make things better. In April they announced the #feedthefrontlines campaign, providing free meals to local healthcare workers. For each box sold they donated a meal, for a total of 6714 donated meals. What an epic moment in Inspired Go’s history! It is a beautiful thing to see people in our community do great things. Over two volunteer work days, Inspired Go provided lunch, served up by my dear and respected friend, Wendy Lees. Thank you!

Upon arrival, Katie, Harry and Ricardo were there to welcome volunteers. We received a lovely overview of the studios and the expanse of sculpture garden, beginning with a gathering in Katie’s studio. There, she richly described her process as she works on pieces connected with the concept Cluster.

I was most intrigued by Katie’s description of the selection of materials and the process of editing, along the way. I loved her description of vessels that might contain the cluster and her process of discovery. In the raven piece above, I especially loved the creation of the nesting materials in the bottom section. All the while, Katie is holding strapping that will be required to pull a new bench into place. She is always and forever thinking and solving spatial problems.

Off we headed for our various assignments. I couldn’t wait to get to work.

Below, we head out, passing Queen of the Night, Michael Sandle.

Joe brought the gravel to fill up the space where the bench would be installed.

I enjoyed Katie’s back story on the evolution of the bench. My readers must take the opportunity to visit the Kiyooka Ohe Art Center. Sit on this bench! After shutting down mole/ground squirrel activity under the Ray Arnatt sculpture, Binder, and cutting out invasive weeds, we had our break for lunch. It was during this time that I had the opportunity to look at the gardens and some of the mid sized sculptures.

Thanks, Wendy Lees, for your homemade chocolate chip squares. They followed our Inspired Go salads. Yum! Then, off to the woods in our mosquito net apparel! What a fun bunch of hard working people!

It was at this point of the third huge pile of dead wood that the first loud boom of thunder began. Our day was cut a little bit short by the huge foothills storm that raced through. I’m sad that I didn’t grab a photograph of the dramatic sky at this point in the afternoon. I hosed down my footwear and hopped in the car. I had a chance to say good bye to Harry, but Katie was busying herself somewhere else on the property.

What an amazing day!

Through Covid-19, I have tried to support one visual artist, one musician and one gallery. It was all I could do, although I wanted to do so much more. As a result, I have purchased Janet’s Crown by Katie Ohe for my 65th birthday gift. I am also, over time, purchasing Weeping Bees 2007, Brother Pear 1996, Monsoon2, 2006 and Untitled, 1977. I’m over the moon about these acquisitions.

I don’t have a lot in the resource bin of life…but, I’ve always had enough. I’m blessed that I was able to give my three children and myself what we needed, that we had food and shelter and I was, as a teacher, always able to make ends meet. Often times it was the sale of my own art that provided us with what we needed at the end of the month and when things were really tough (I wasn’t always able to purchase art. lol), friends and family supported me. Regarding visual art, a lot of people don’t know that they can create an art collection if they budget a little bit over time. Arrangements can be made with galleries so that the collector can surround themselves with beautiful art. I have purchased works from various galleries in town including Gorilla House and Rumble House.

This has been the year of Katie. I purchased Katie’s prints through the Herringer Kiss Gallery. Katie Ohe’s retrospective exhibit is now available to view by appointment at the Esker Foundation, until the end of August. Do not miss this opportunity. I will always remember this year with gratitude. Strange times often bring to the forefront of our imaginations what is beautiful about life.

It was a fantastic opportunity to spend the day out at KOAC. What a privilege. I highly recommend volunteer hours spent at KOAC and thank you, Harry and Katie, for this day.

Mosaic 101

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Painter Lady

Wendy Lees is a vital leader in our visual arts community here in Calgary. She has spearheaded so many wonderful projects and visual arts tours, either through making, leading or inspiring. I’ve treasured her friendship for years now and I’m so grateful for our meeting. I was blessed, yesterday, to have the opportunity to learn the first basic baby steps to mosaic art, in the comfort and organized studio that is her own home. What a fun experience and what great people!

Wendy took on the magical practice of create! in the East Village some time ago…and through that program, I met some of the most authentic and beautiful people of a lifetime. Gladly, a few of them were able to attend the Mosaic 101 workshop, so renewing those relationships was an additional blessing!

If you have opportunity to participate in or attend any of the programs that Wendy advertises, DO! Such fun! It’s not just about techniques and skill development…it’s about community and connection!

Love the focus and concentration that surfaced during the program!

KOAC: Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Painter Lady

This morning, I’m celebrating Wendy Lees and the Love Art in Calgary tours that she provides, here in the city. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to enjoy the intimate and generous experience of visiting KOAC. Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe directed a magical tour of their property, studios and home and today I am still ruminating about the conversations, the practice and the encouragement received. Grateful!

Katie and Harry have done so much for our community and, both visionaries, they have a commitment to leave an amazing legacy for all of us. But right now, they need our support, both monetary and philosophically. Calgarians need to see themselves as both beneficiaries, but also contributors to this dream. I hope that my readers will take the time to visit the website and explore how they can be a part of this.

We began our tour with the wondrous drive out to the property under an amazing chinook arch. The light and arch contributed to the aesthetic experience of being on the edge of the city, looking west toward the mountains. Good conversation, laughter and shared philosophies are always a part of a Love Art in Calgary tour and this time, I reconnected with a like-minded woman, Sharon, who I had met on a previous workshop at the Esker Foundation and Melissa, who has a long history of Gorilla painting with me. So much fun.

Melissa and I went for a wander to look at a couple of the sculptures on the property before the tour of Katie’s studio began.

This one made a journey across the ocean in a crate…missed the sculptor’s name.

‘Dandelion’ a kinetic sculpture created by one of Katie’s former students.

Treasures.

Walking to Katie’s studio, we stopped and had fun, listening to Katie’s stories and being present to her larger-than-life energy!

I think this woman is such a role model for us. She is so full of warmth and has such a generous nature. And…she says that she writes a lot of reference letters! :0)

Katie Ohe, when speaking of her sculptures, touches them in such a special way and speaks about them in that manner, also. It is evident that she has a very close relationship with the materials and knows and loves the process of creation in a very intimate way. I cherish listening to her speak of her art.

Next, we went to Harry’s studio, a treasure trove full of discoveries and large canvases.

Harry is such a gentle and kind man, with such enthusiasm for the vision that has been forming over such a long period of time…a vision and partnership shared between Katie and him. He is a huge promoter of KOAC and has announced that tickets are available for the next big fundraiser.

Next, the two artists invited us into their home and we sat and snacked and shared a coffee break, while being surrounded by amazing works of art, as well as an extensive collection and library! Phenomenal!

I will never forget the strength of Katie’s hand wrapped around mine, as I thanked her for the afternoon. What an amazing woman!

Previous posts…

Bitterly Cold Winter, Wrapped Up In Wool

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Painter Lady

Monday morning saw the accumulation of a whole lot of snow overnight. The sun was shining and I was grateful for that, as I picked up the shovel and cleared the sidewalk, yet again. I was excited to be heading for sister-friend time, a hearty soup and warm-biscuit lunch prepared by my Ya-Ya, Wendy Lees, and the experience of felting with a woman who knows wool, so well. In fact, like me, wool is her history…her story. Ruth Purves-Smith, oh, how I grow to love you! Now, you have been my teacher and I treasure that!

Gathering together means the sharing of stories, the week’s events, creative projects, vision, frustration, hard work and yes, edits on cover letters, even dog tales/tails!

Meeting Booster for the first time was more than fun! This sweetie really wasn’t ever supposed to have a chance at life, but because of her willingness to negotiate around Booster’s many special needs, Ruth gave her that! Apart from very unique dietary concerns and the fact that she has to consistently wear a little diaper, Booster seems to lead a very happy and contented life. As Max’s best friend, I can tell you that this gives me great respect for Ruth.

Settling in, I loved the colours and textures that began to spill out into Wendy’s living room!

I’ve had opportunity before to watch a remarkable lesson on felting delivered by Leah C. Donald to my grade three students. However, I didn’t have the opportunity to share in the experience because it was necessary to supervise the students’ use of the felting needles and to be a part of their process. So, I was excited to actually manipulate the media and to enjoy the hands-on practice.

Ruth brought some of her creations and I was at once, in awe. Hmmm…no pictures of lunch, likely because I was enthusiastically ‘putting it down’.

I decided that I would like to create a hot pad for the table and to focus on technique. I was definitely the slowest person in the room! It took quite some time before I sorted out the use of the felting needle. Thanks for your patience, ladies!

Yesterday afternoon was just one of those magical times that created memories, both in my heart and head, but also in my body. The warm smell of wool, the texture and the concentration…all so wonderful! The next time you feel really cold, I highly recommend wrapping yourselves up in wool, good food and friendship.

Support the Custom Woolen Mills, when you can. Buy your gifts from artists and artisans. Buy music from local artists. Support the creation of treasures that come out of your local community.

Laurel Crescent Little Free Library and Little Gallery OPENING DAY!

Posted on November 5, 2016 by Painter Lady

I always feel proud of Wendy Lees and the magical events/experiences she creates. Today was no exception as the Laurel Crescent Little Free Library and Little Gallery enjoyed its opening with a large draw of neighbours, family and friends. The festivities were marked with warm buttered popcorn, lemonade, heart shaped cookies, painting, bubbles and chalk drawing. What an amazing community feel!

It was great to see the MLA for Calgary-Glenmore, Ms. Anam Kazim (ND) and to see her engaged and genuine support, as well as Lakeview Community Association’s President, Geoffrey Vanderburg out and about, meeting the neighbours on Laurel Crescent.

I brought my contribution to the Little Library since this was a bit of an historical event for the neighbourhood.

Glad to celebrate this event with you, dear friend, and congratulations. We honour what you do for community building throughout Calgary, Wendy.

Ruth Purves-Smith and David Holloway

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Painter Lady

I’ve suspended my writing for the week because I’m teaching elementary children on a month long contract and I’m focused and inspired and need to line up all my jelly beans. What I really want to sustain over this month is my time in nature because things are evolving so quickly out there…and so many new birds are on the wing.

I’m writing diligently about an art tour that I took at Pason Systems on this past Saturday…one piece at a time…it was such a fabulous experience! I suppose I’ll publish that during the coming weekend.

But…

…here’s an exception. I felt I needed to write my gratitude for Wendy Lee’s invitations to meet and listen to the music of Ruth Purves-Smith, accompanied by the fantastic guitar player, David Holloway. So, for Juno weekend, I ended up having time on Sunday to attend Wendy’s house concert where chili was served, chilled white wine and the most wonderful company ever! It was a hub of Juno energy and such a down-to-earth experience.

It turns out that Ruth’s father, Bill Purves-Smith and his wife, Fen Roessingh, have a connection to my own family patriarch, John Moors…and so, Ruth and I are connected by the beautiful warm smell and coziness of wool! My grandfather is pictured below, a young man, in the throws of excitement about wool.

Bill Purves-Smith and a photograph that appeared on his memorial 1934-2011.

This story about the collision between Ruth’s family and my own appears on the Custom Woolen Mills website…

Fen Roessingh and husband Bill Purves-Smith developed a keen interest in weaving while studying at the Leighton Centre near Calgary, Alberta in the 1970’s. After being given a truck-load of raw wool in order to pursue their weaving, they began searching to find a mill that would process it into yarn. This took them to Magrath, Alberta, to work with John Moors in his mill, Wool Carding and Spinning. John had started in the woolen mill business at the age of 12 as a bobbin boy and worked his way up to running his own mill. When Fen and Bill came to work with him, John was in his 70’s and looking for someone to take over his business. Game for a challenge and motivated by their love of fibre arts, Fen and Bill bought the mill from John and moved it to Carstairs. They then acquired a wool washing system and additional carding machines from a small mill called Custom Woolen Mills in Sifton, Manitoba. The mill was owned by Anna Weselowski who, also in her 70’s, was looking to retire. Combined, the new mill was called Custom Woolen Mills Ltd. Wool Carding and Spinning, but everyone just called it Custom Woolen Mills for short. Over 35 years later, Custom Woolen Mills is still going strong; a hub in the community, a multigenerational family enterprise, and a producer of quality, Canadian grown and manufactured wool products.

Of course, as soon as I could, I grabbed onto Ruth…gave her a big hug…and we began to spill out the memories. I loved hearing about her playing in the back of the mill and watching the old television…I could picture it all.

Thank you for the stories, Ruth…and the music…and the generous heart. Thank you David for the absolutely amazing guitar accompaniment and the talk of clocks. And most of all, thank you to Wendy and Dan for their hospitality and for the sharing, always, of music and art! Good to see so many friends that we now share and for the introduction to so many more!

Kath's Canon Ruth Purves-Smith, Franks 040

There’s nothing like a bookshelf filled with interesting titles…and a guitar that’s about to be played!

It was a wonderful experience…bought the recent CD….so should you!

Woolen Mill

Objects of My Affection: Woolen Blanket

Of All the Places

The Sunshine of Your Smile

Leah Came to the Door

May 8, 2015

Going to the Country

Southern Alberta Roads

Wool Card and Spinning: My Grandfather’s Story

Orange!

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Painter Lady

I met Loretta down at the East Village, once asked to do some painting at the Golden Age Club in a madly creative environment called create! Loretta Young has some kind of story! What’s most amazing is how she lights up a room! Last Sunday saw the launch of a collection of her paintings, collage and mosaics at the Hear’s My Soul Cafe. It was a brilliant blue day and Loretta was wearing orange.

The surroundings were exquisite. I was able to connect with beautiful and dear friends, sharing in the music of Trio Velocity while munching on Janice Beaton Fine Cheeses and sipping complimentary wine. It doesn’t get any better than that! Wandering slowly from one space to another, I really engaged Loretta’s work, seeing a vibrant statement about life and freedom. Having also been a very active participant in Calgary’s MOMO Dance Theatre, Loretta’s visual work also appears to dance, no matter the medium. A spattering of orange seems to be a consistent underpinning and a delightful complement to the cerulean and ultramarine dominance.

I enjoyed embracing new friends and Loretta’s family, all present and excited about sharing this really important moment in time, a celebration of Loretta, her spirit and her art. Thanks again to visionary, Wendy Lees, who works tirelessly to create experiences around art and life in the East Village! Thanks also to Mike who contributed his time to some beautiful framing and display. A magic touch!

Art and Connection

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Painter Lady

The day was a chilly and wet one, but filled to the brim with connecting, whether that was with people or art.

I got Max out in the early morning. He was in his typically joyful place, leaping through the air in order to retrieve his Chuckit! Paraflight Fetch Toy Frisbee Disc. He loves it! It’s durable and I concur with all of the points made in the following review. I try to alternate his types of work outs each day, taking him out onto trails on his own or doing work outs such as this toy provides. I call this toy a whizzo…and I pick them up, two at a time, when they are on sale and keep them in stock in my front hall closet. Max seems to go through about two a year.

While you play this sort of game with your energetic dog, you need to remember to temper the height of your throw in order that your dog does not experience long term wear on his hips and joints. Border collies are so active, agile and obsessed that they have no limits on what they choose to endure, so you, as an owner, must set the limits. It is a difficult thing to watch your very active dog succumb to arthritis at some point because you chose to be an ‘over achiever’ with him. A side note here is that I have developed very beefy arms in my years of training and owning this breed. Certain dogs require hard work every day. My boy would be one of those. This work needs to be varied so to remain interesting and so sometimes making your dog sit and stay for 45 minutes is another alternative, particularly on bad weather days.

I dropped Max home and headed to meet with my retired teacher-friends for a coffee. I treasure these friends so much and felt absolutely blessed as I left yesterday morning. Our conversation was varied and enthusiastic. We had opportunity to share both joy and pain and were there for one another to celebrate and support, both. I continue to be surprised with the human resistance to retirement. There is so much that happens in the world beyond ‘the job’. Thanks to my friends for sharing your interesting lives with me. I am truly blessed by your smarts and your wit.

From there, I jumped on the C Train and got off at the City Hall stop. After a warm chicken salad sandwich, enjoyed in our central public library, I headed over to the John Clark exhibit at C2. I found Jeffrey Spalding in an intense conversation with a couple of people and so enjoyed my encounter with the images on my own. I love the synchronicity of the entire event….CTrain City Hall Chicken Salad, Clark, C2…it was a C sort of a morning.

The exhibit is a beautiful collection of works by John Clark. The collection, available until August 31, is another amazing tribute to a person with a unique statement about his surroundings and experience. I was most emotional in front of a huge canvas painted in 1989, the piece that appears at the complete right of the following photograph.

The following image was acquired via the University of Lethbridge Lasting Images link. Artist-Photographer, Arnaud Maggs, passed in 2012. May 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Arnaud Maggs, John Clark in his studio, 1988. From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of the artist, 1989.

I continue to long for a greater connection with the University of Lethbridge since attending during the years 1973 to 1977, and so I really enjoyed this piece, I believe to be titled Bird and Bridge.

An excellent tribute to John Clark’s life and exploration…beautifully displayed and worth our admiration. Gratitude to C2 and also the various contributors of the pieces featured in this exhibit.

From C2, I headed over to the Glenbow Museum to enjoy the Bee Kingdom’s:The Iconoclasts in Glass. AWESOME! Get out to see this one. I have written several times about the Bees over these last several years, but, please DO enjoy this elegant display of a very comprehensive collection of works. Such a clear vision was evidenced in this body. A pleasure! Congratulations and shout out to Phillip, Tim and Ryan!

Phillip Murray Bandura

Timothy Belliveau

Ryan Fairweather

I hung out in the museum for a little while…thinking especially about Marion Nicholl’s work for some reason. I thought she was such a phenomenal visionary. I don’t wish to get into the generational and gender ‘thing’ here…but…come on!

It just wouldn’t be right to be so close to create! at the Golden Age Club, to not walk over and see what was cooking. I enjoyed a coffee and rice crispy square with visionary and facilitator, Wendy Lees; artists Margaret, Lorna, Jo-Anne and Les and got filled in about all of the recent goings-on including the creation of a Little Library and another zine.

I met up with my daughter after jumping on the train and rockin’ my way to the ‘burbs’ from the core. After yet another Max-event, Cayley and I met up with a beautiful friend of ours at the Blue’s Can and I spun some circles in the dance floor to the all-so-familiar tunes of Tom Phillips and the Men of Constant Sorrow. The day could not have been more full, rich and beautiful.

After all of this, I remembered to take the garbage out for a Friday morning pick-up. And, after reading a few fantastic pages of Carol Shield’s Small Ceremonies (Karen, get this book!), I was off to sleep.

Plein Air With Great Peeps Sooths The Pain of Loss

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Painter Lady

Recently, the world lost a great painter and a great person, Robert Genn. He is featured in the small clip above. For some reason recently, I’ve been blasted with loss over and over again and have almost been knocked out of my socks with sad news. My son-in-law aptly announces, “Let not the reality of today deter you. But the image of tomorrow spur you.” Sometimes a person has no choice but to be grateful for another day of love and life and go forward with tremendous courage, being light to and with the people that give connection…always being patient…always forgiving…always being light.

I receive connection while gathering with the participants of create! down in the East Village. Along with their fearless leader, Wendy Lees, the folk of the neighbouring buildings, gather to write, sculpt, paint and create! and it is a fascinating experience…fascinating, because no matter the burdens that a person carries, once together and creating, somehow the load gets lighter. The gifts that I receive as facilitator, I’m certain, must surpass what I might ever influence in such genuine and caring, such courageous participants!

I offer up the joy of today to Robert Genn, Lawrence Morin, Glenn Gangier, Maxine Morin and to my beautiful Mom…may you, through the divine Creator, be a part of our celebration of creation always.

Today, we painted joy, pain, breeze, seeds, leaves, sky, clouds, grass, air, light, dancing, rolling, bubbling, trees, light, life.

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Angels in the East Village

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Painter Lady

Time spent in the East Village, working with the folk from create!, was treasured time and so good for my soul. We tried to bring into our midst the energy of mothers and the feminine…welcoming memories of our mothers, the earth and, for me, Mary. It was such a beautiful two afternoons. I feel blessed to be with such creative people with so many powerful stories. I thank Wendy Lees for opening up this opportunity in my life.

The lesson involved a conversation about how artists use references in order to create, some more than others. We talked about using historical references and real life references. The act of painting landscapes on location is called plein air. I described the importance of asking for permission from photographers when using contemporary images as references.

All of this reminds me of a conversation that I once shared with Father Carroll. We always had such wonderful chats. He shared this Latin quote with me. So, while most art has roots in other art or reference points, it is important that the artist explore a personal interpretation or reaction to that reference point.

ars est celare artem
True art is to conceal art

This is evident in the following example, looking at a Frida Kahlo Self Portrait and compared to Bronwyn Schuster’s fabric sculpture.

Frida Kahlo. Self-Portrait (Dedicated to Leon Trotsky). 1937. Oil on masonite. 76.2 x 61 cm. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C., USA.

Bronwyn Schuster Acquisition

Some people prefer to refer to angels as guiding spirits…for me, it doesn’t matter how you look at the theme. We have much to be grateful for, in considering the ‘maternal’ in our communities. Painting angels at the East Village was a joy.

Alanna shared that she added wings to the woman sitting before the table and that the angel was her mother. She remembered sharing a table with her own mother. It was a very powerful moment for me.