Outside Being
Light always issues an invitation to ponder something, and sometimes answers are found inside by simply being outside.
The pieces in my most recent collection narrate the need for connectedness with ourselves and our environment and depict a grace that can always be found even in difficult cycles.
Slowing down to more simply being, while often very hard can bring us solace, new resilience and space to delight in the light that is at hand.
This series examining recent stories of light encountered, was originally intended for a May solo exhibition with Westland Gallery in London, ON BC-19 (Before Covid-19).
While we could not have foreseen the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in globally; these pieces still suggest a timely way to more slowly be in this moment, while we work through what life might look like after ‘all of this’.
In navigating a gradual re-opening with beautiful flexibility, Westland Gallery has pre-released several pieces from this series and announced a modified exhibition schedule. I am delighted to share that I will be showing with London artist Donna Andreychuk at Westland Gallery this September. The exhibition will run September 1 – 19 and will be structured to reflect conditions at that time, so please do stay tuned for details!
In the meantime, please check out the full collection below and and enjoy this video that my talented niece created with the aim to bring the pieces more tangibly to life for you.
Stay well, be safe &
keep leaning in.
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Complicated Days
How are you coping, pandemic co-travellers?
I hope you are staying well and that your physical needs are being met. How are you taking care of your heart and spirit in this complicated time?
I thought I’d like to offer what I can, in my own way. I won’t promise any of it will be any kind of magic bullet or anything; some of my own days feel like an anvil pressing me down into the earth. But, what if we met for a virtual walk, or I read you a poem or painted something for you? If you think that some of that might help, please know that you can land here and find something gentle, some joy or a bit of kindness.
I will try for daily postings, follow along and share if you like.
xo’s
Today I’m sharing one of my poems with video taken along the Maitland Trail deep in the winter last year.
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WORKSHOP OFFERINGS: Start Here
Start Here
with Erica Dornbusch
Hosted By: Westland Gallery London ON
Date: Wednesday March 4th 6:30 – 9:30PM
Got A Great Project In Mind?
Not Sure How Or Where To Start?
As an artist and poet, I learned a LOT while self-publishing my book this past year. Not just lessons about things to do with pagination and binding and ISBN numbers, but about how to set an objective for any project and to begin work towards it. Having a great idea for a long range project is exciting but if you’re anything like me it can also land you in Inertia and Overwhelm Land where ideas go to lay down on the couch. Over years of realizing big projects, I’ve figured out a system that gets me from Concept to Actualizing my project goals and I’m excited to offer the workshop Start Here, along with the companion workbook I’ve created, at Westland Gallery.
This 3 hour working session will guide you through brainstorming your concept to setting specific outcome goals and scheduling actionable items toward actualizing your project goal.
Whether you’re applying for a grant, writing a book, completing a series of work, or planning to crowd fund a project, this workshop will help you get started and send you home with a timeline of tangible action steps towards your goal. You’ll also have the unique opportunity for group feedback on aspects of your project if you wish.
The Details
Price:
$75
What To Bring:
Your Ideas.
The Start Here workbook is yours to keep and complete.
To register:
Call or email Westland Gallery
T: 1-519-601-4420
E: info@westlandgallery.ca
156 Wortley Rd
London, On N6C 3P5
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WORKSHOP OFFERINGS: The Art in Creative Play
The Art in Creative Play
with Erica Dornbusch
Hosted By: Westland Gallery London ON
A Full Day Workshop, Monday March 23rd 9am-4pm
Dear One Of A Kind You!
I want to invite you over for a creative playdate at Westland Gallery.
And, no – you don’t have to be an artist to attend! I promise you will find deep value in spending time in creative play and self expression even if you are not a practising artist.
Our Own Stories Honoured, Can Rejuvenate And Inspire Us
Drawing from my own art making journey and mindfulness practice, I’ve created a program that will help you restore, celebrate and reconnect you to your own beautiful narrative.
The Art In Creative Play
Limited seats are still available for this full day workshop. I’m inviting just eight participants to spend a day connecting with their creative selves in a playful and mindful series of art-making exercises.
This participatory day long session will invite you to deep dive into expanded ways of connecting with yourself and others. A playful directive will invite you in to loosen up and engage your intuitive core and unique creative voice in a variety of personal and safe group exercises.
Our day together will open in circle with a bit of sharing and exploring some Intention Setting and Meditation/Visualization Exercises. Projects for the day will centre around setting and illustrating a personal mantra, and a narrative self portrait to take home and hang in your space. Plus, together, we will create a group manifesto for living that you will receive as a printable pdf after the workshop.
The Details
Price:
$125
What To Bring:
Your lunch.
Supplies to be provided.
A willingness to dive in to some mindfulness exercises and your own personal work. (Please note, as a group it will be vital for all of us to be willing to ‘honour the witness’ during our day. I’ll expand on this point when we are together.)
To register:
Call or email Westland Gallery
T: 1-519-601-4420
E: info@westlandgallery.ca
156 Wortley Rd
London, On N6C 3P5
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Currently Showing
Currently Showing:
Westland Gallery – The Big Little Christmas Show
I’ve been busily creating some small works for The Big Little Christmas Show. This show keeps in mind the challenge of buying original art as a gift. The show includes a variety of easy-to-own smaller pieces, perfect for gift giving.
Copies of my book, Paint & Prose: A Way Finder’s Meander will be available at the gallery during the show, along with the remaining framed originals created for the anthology. This is the perfect weather to curl up with art and words meant to evoke your sacred stories and a mindful connection to self and setting.
I hope you’ll come out to see this big collection of smalls and find the perfect original and meaningful gift. Click here to see all the works and come out in person to enjoy the show and the village in holiday mode!
Exhibition: November 26th – December 29, 2019
Reception: Saturday, December 7th 2 – 4 pm
156 Wortley Rd
London, On N6C 3P5
T: 1-519-601-4420
E: info@westlandgallery.ca
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The launch chapter of Paint & Prose: A Way Finder’s Meander
You know, I still can’t quite believe that this book idea got its real pages and was actually breathed and believed into being.
Continue reading “The launch chapter of Paint & Prose: A Way Finder’s Meander”
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Paint & Prose Launch & Show
April 18th is Poem in Your Pocket Day
Poem in Your Pocket Day was initiated in April 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with the city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all fifty United States, and In 2016, the League of Canadian Poets extended Poem in Your Pocket Day to Canada.
On this day, poetry lovers are invited to select a poem, carry it with them, and share it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners, and on social media using the hashtag #pocketpoem.
To celebrate I’ve created a downloadable Poem in Your Pocket Day PDF and I invite you to share your own favourite poem out and about, around the table and on your social media. Pop by on FB or IG and post a stanza or two of your favourite on my page, I’d love to read your beloved pieces…
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Paint & Prose Prints & Art Cards
Happy Spring! Have you had a chance to get your feet in some mud yet? What are you growing?
I am researching new hiking boots for a trip my love and I have planned for June. There are some bucket list treks on our agenda and I’ll need solid new kicks that I haven’t already walked holes into. Can’t wait.
And closer than that is Launch Day for Paint & Prose: A Way Finder’s Meander! While the book at press, we are working out launch details and preparing for the show. Frames for the original pieces from the book are ordered, I’m finishing up some other paintings for the show, and signing and packing up the prints and art card sets that are going out to our Kickstarter campaign supporters in gratitude for their role in making this book real.
We printed three favourites as Prints and another three as an Art Card set and added a couple of cards as a bonus. They turned out really nicely. Have a look!
I look forward to getting these into the hands of this book’s super supporters! Thank you so much as ever for your ongoing enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see those of you who will be able to be there during launch week!
Pre-order your copy of Paint & Prose here!