back to the painting board

Spring is coming. It is hard to imagine on a day like today when the trees are bending in the wind and no one wants to go out in the January gloom. But after a year of simplifying my life as I retreated and put classes on hold, it's time to awaken them once again. The work that we do here in the studio is so rich, fun and life changing that I can't keep myself away any longer.

So in March, I am offering a Spring Renewal Retreat. For those of you who have already been here, you know how amazing this day is. For those of you that are new, this is a day where you get to come and be taken care of. We paint freely being open to our own process, on our own time. We have a time of quiet meditation and open discussion while never revealing our pictures to one another, this is deeply personal work. I make super yummy food for lunch and you get an opportunity to not only connect with others, but most importantly with yourself.

Spring is such an amazing time of rebirth after the sleepy winter. It's a time to start sowing new seeds, turning the soil and seeing things grow again. What seeds are you going to plant within yourself this year? Come and join us, you'll see how enriching it will be for your life and awaken new possibilities for yourself!

Ruby Mamas

I am offering another Ruby Mamas workshop Thursday January 27th in Courtney from 7:00-9:00pm. This will be an amazing evening of pregnant mamas coming together as we explore our deep inner wisdom through art and meditation.

We spend so much time filling up our heads with information when we are venturing into the unknown world of birth and mothering, filling up our baskets hoping we will be prepared for the unknown. What we don't do is prepare our hearts and internal wisdom that we all possess. Information isn't what will help a woman when she is trying to cope with contractions nor is it what will support her when she is trying to figure out why her baby won't stop crying. It is her intuition every single time. That is what will be her survival skill in this journey ahead.

This class is for all pregnant mamas and you do not need to have any artistic skill. This is not that kind of class. All you need to bring is yourself, an open heart and some comfy clothes, everything else will be provided for you. Dorothy had the answers within her the whole time as she journeyed to Oz, just as you do. Come and discover how wise you are and create art from the heart. The fee is only $30.00 and the experience will be priceless. You are most welcome here.

there are many different ways

So, after my sense of defeat in front of the canvas last week, I decided to take myself out on Saturday to look at art and lots of it. I haven't done that since I was in my 20's and it was wonderful. I soaked in the pure pleasure of being alone in Munroe's bookshop and spent a long, quiet time flipping through all different kinds of art books. Some I liked, some I didn't and some I discovered for the first time.

I purposely avoided predictable books showcasing artists like Michelangelo and Monet. Not that I don't like their work, but I wanted to get inspired to do something new or at least something I knew I could do. So I stuck mainly to abstract and modern art, and I'm so glad I did. I saw it in a whole new light.

There were paintings that were beautiful, some that were weird and some that I thought were a bit ridiculous (like the black square on canvas). But whatever the art, what I loved was that there are so many different ways to create. OK, this may sound obvious, but don't we forget that sometimes? I think so often when we look at an artists work and say, "I can't do that" we negate any ability we may have to do something equally amazing and completely different. If a black canvas can be called art, then why not streaks of your favorite colour or the way you see the sky? How do you see the sky? Is it just blue or does it move in shades of blue, purple and gray? What would it feel like to paint in a way that you see the world? How does your soul sing on the page? This is what art is all about, it is self expression and each of us express ourselves differently. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder and the most important beholder is you.

So today I went back into the studio and I saw everything in a brand new light. I'm working on something new, something that I am enjoying, something that I actually like. It feels so good to let go of what I think something should be and to embrace what is. It's kind of like riding a bike after a long hiatus away from one, you are a bit wobbly at first, but once you get going, it's like you never stopped.

i get it.

First of all, Happy New Year everyone! This is the year of the Rabbit, which I am, and it is going to be the year of creativity. This year I am going to be expanding my classes and living into my dream of making creativity and art applicable and accessible for everyone. More on that later...

So to start this year, it is my task to reconnect with my own creative self in the way I used to eat, breathe and sleep art. It was not only something I did, it was who I was and it was a very empowering place. So on Monday I brought out a blank canvas and some beautiful paints, put on my favorite music and started to paint.

What surprised me was how hard it really was. Painting on paper with tempera paints (which is what we do in the class) has allowed me the freedom to paint anything without attachment. Painting on a canvas, well, that was intimidating. I struggled, and then I tried to fix what I didn't like and then I looked at and realized that I hated it.

For the rest of the day I felt terrible. Was this idea that I was an artist some kind of dream? Something that happened in a past life but no longer exists? Was I a fraud? It took the rest of the day and a conversation with a friend to realize that it wasn't that all was lost, it had just changed. What I had been trying to do on my canvas was the same thing I tried to do 15 years ago and it was no longer real for me.

And so begins my journey, to rediscover myself and a new way to express my soul. It also lends a great deal of compassion to those that come to my class. Looking at that big white piece of paper is scary, intimidating and it is easy to run from it. You may say, I'm not an artist, I can't paint. Yes you can. Maybe you aren't VanGogh, but really, no one is VanGogh except VanGogh. Even he copied other paintings before he found his own voice. You are unique. What you have to say is meaningful. You can paint and express yourself with freedom, without judgment and find your own voice to express what is in your soul. All you have to do is pick up that paint brush and you may be surprised to find where it takes you.

Ruby Mamas

I have been supporting birthing families for the past 5 years now through Birthing From Within classes. One aspect of the classes, the art process, is something that I have wanted to explore on a deeper level, but have never felt that I had the space or the time to fully give it the attention it so deserves. However, that is all about to change. I am inspired to offer something I have been wanting to do for a long, long time. I am going to offer an art class for pregnant mamas....Ruby Mamas.

We spend so much time filling up our heads with information when we are venturing into the unknown world of birth and mothering, filling up our baskets hoping we will be prepared for the unknown. What we don't do is prepare our hearts and internal wisdom that we all possess. Information isn't what will help a woman when she is trying to cope with contractions nor is it what will support her when she is trying to figure out why her baby won't stop crying. It is her intuition every single time. That is what will be her survival skill in this journey ahead.

So on Thursday November 4th from 7:00 -9:30pm , I am offering a one night workshop for those beautiful pregnant mamas in the Comox Valley. You need bring nothing but yourself, an open heart and some comfy clothes. I will provide the space, art supplies and a wonderfully supportive environment where you can connect with your own creative resources, your baby and other mamas. You don't need to be an artist, this class is not about an outcome, it is all about the Process. Dorothy had the answers within her the whole time as she journeyed to Oz, just as you do. Come and discover how wise you are and create art from the heart. The fee is only $30.00 and the experience will be priceless. You are most welcome here.

For more information or to register please contact Catherine at: 250-597-2770 or catherine@beautifulbirth.ca

I will not teach you to paint Mallard Ducks

When I was a young girl, my mother sent me to Millie's. Millie had an awesome art studio for kids and we were allowed to create freely, without judgment or criticism. I loved it. Then my mom sent me to an art class where I was to learn how to paint Mallard ducks in oil. I was 7. I hated it. The teacher said it wasn't very good. And so the journey of self-doubt began.

I will not teach you how to paint ducks, trees or flowers. Nor will I teach you techniques about depth and distance. What I will do is facilitate a space where you can create freely, without judgment and without critique. I will help you with your own journey of self-discovery and guide you back to the heart. You can still paint ducks if you want, we never know what will come out of our souls when we let go and surrender to the paint. You are an amazing artist, I know it. Come and discover what you can create if you are given the space and time to just let go. Everyone is welcome, even if you can't paint a duck.

come on in!

So after months of hard work, new ceiling, new paint, new floors, new furniture, easels that my husband built (thank you luv) and a refurbished light fixture that is original to our 1920's home, The Ruby Slipper Studio is OPEN!

Classes start tonight, the one day retreat is filling fast. Pregnant mamas are welcome to come to the one night workshop, open your heart with art. This is a long time dream that has come true for me and you are welcome to join me.

That story that you can't paint or you are not an artist, is just that a story. You can hold a paint brush, you love colour, your journey starts here. Come on in!

Check out the side bar for upcoming class dates and information!