Getting back to the Music

There was a time when I was taking music lessons in Piano, Violin, playing clarinet in the school band, and singing in a choir.  My practicing schedule started at 6 am, before taking the city bus to an early band practice at 8 am, with more practicing that happened after school.  Needless to say, music has always been a big part of my life. 
Which is why I've been missing it lately.  And why I'm really excited to be doing some recording with a local musician the Hermit, aka Hamish Thomson.  After a studio visit and a listen (great ambient music btw), I was curiously asking about all the amazing instruments Hamish has at his disposal.  I loved his response to 'Where did you find this?'- "It found me."!  Anyways, stay tuned... I'll be sure to let you know when this album comes out and we'll see if you can pick out my violin in one of the songs by that time:)
Incidentally Hamish is the drummer for Ten Suns and Big Tall Garden, both bands are great to see live!

Summer in the City

It's been a great month to catch up on city life as there is so much going on and surprisingly, so many free or budget-conscious events around town to take part in. We were able to get out to Cates Park for their Concert in the Park series, especially to see the Hermit play! It was a great show and the boys loved seeing the bands play while they kicked a soccer ball around and played tag! (I forgot my camera for this one so no great pics of the band playing with the ocean in behind them, and the lightning storm that was so spectacular right afterwards.. too bad.)
While there, a few of us got free Theatre Under the Stars tickets to go to see Annie! I haven't been to an out-door music theatre since I was a kid so this was a real treat! We went with our neighbours last night and saw a pretty amazing performance of a 9 year old girl acting and singing the part of 11 year old Annie. The boys were really engaged with the story line- a little worried after about the whole idea of being an orphan and orphanages afterwards. I guess Miss Hanigan left enough of an impression on them;)

Spring is on it's way!

With a nod to St Paddy's day and some green bowls with squares down 3 sides from last spring, I am busily getting ready for the next Portobello West Market, happening March 28-29th at the Rocky Mountaineering Station. I just finished a glaze firing and put in another large load for the bisque firing today and I'm feeling confident that I'm nearly ready to start on my spring shows!
I always get really inspired during spring with the beautiful colours of flowers and the green leaves pocking through and it definitely comes out in my work. Tomorrow's post will have pictures of more current work, including a couple of pictures of my new vases which are starting to come along. If you know anything about clay, you know that the minute you change clay bodies, there are a whole new set of rules for what glazes will work or not. So I'm in the beginning stage of working out those kinks and the results are hopeful!
Otherwise, I am still feeling a little sluggish around 4:30 every day because of some late shifts at the studio along with a late-night concert on Saturday night that was amazing! I went to the opening of the Hermit's CD launch: Turn-Up (the art) which was really great! I thought the band was solid- and I loved the additions of the trombone, the string section, the Marimba (?)! Anyways, a great concert and great art (of course I was slightly biased in this regard) made for a great evening!

March Forward

Well here's a little up-date on the aloe aristata that is currently blooming in my window! I kept hoping the long blossoms would actually open up. Maybe it does during 'midnight' conditions (it's got to be called a 'midnight lotus' for something) and I haven't quite been able to replicate that. They just have this long shape with this tiny little opening at the tip, I guess big enough for a hummingbird's beak to get inside of it. It's kind of mysterious, this plant, and I'll have to chat with Abby at Kermodi about it next time I see her!
Thinking ahead to my March shows..! I'll be busy with my first Painting show opening at the new gallery initiative on South Granville on Thursday, March 5th, 7-10pm. Today I went by the new home for ON The Rise Artist Collective (ONTRAC), and met with Merete Kristiansen, who, as she said, 'has the rolodex to make this kind of venture happen'. I'm really excited about her vision, background, education (Master's in Art Gallery Management ), and connections (Dad owns oldest gallery in Vancouver), and was pretty impressed that she's volunteering to start this up!
My next gig in March will be in conjunction with The Hermit's CD release party and art show, "Turn up the Art" opening March 14th at 8pm-1am at the Chapel Arts.
And at the end of March, I'll be at Portobello West Market for their season opener with my ceramics, March 28-29 at the Rocky Mountaineering Station, from 12-6!

Turn Up (the art)

I'm always excited to get involved in shows when there are some really great people involved! This show coming up in March is just one of those! The Hermit drummer and song-writer, Hamish, lives down the street from us. We started getting to know his family a couple of years ago on our evening walks and bike rides as their oldest son is the same age as ours. Hamish recently quit his day-job to do music full-time and he is loving it. This CD release party and art show has been something he's planned for a little while now and I'm really excited to be involved. It's at the Chapel Arts another great venue in the city- an old funeral parlour that has been converted into an Art and Music Venue! I've been in a group show there before with the Eastside Culture Crawl so I'm looking forward to being back with a new bunch of artists- my good friend Sherri Koop included!
Art show will be March 8-29th, opening night CD release party will be March 14 8pm-1am. You can check out the Hermit's music on their myspace page.