expressions

Today is the anniversary of the dissolution of my partnership, friendship and married state. Things are getting easier in the sense that I can sleep for four or more hours a night. The emptiness is still intense. The sense of unreality and living in a darkened valley is pervasive. Yesterday when I was buying apples, I was excited to see the kind my husband likes and began to put them in a bag. No. He isn’t there any more. Then I began to sob in the store, deep soul rending sobs. I embarrass myself. The act of caring for, thinking about, trying to find small gifts and pleasures for the person I love are habits developed over 16 years and it is a deep sense of loss when I cannot show my love any longer.

words that held no meaning

I have created a couple of digital art works and begun to put thoughts as poems up on facebook in order to speed the mourning process. I do not love lightly. I do not love easily. Fiercely loyal and passionate, I have held on when others would have walked away.

When I think of the two of us, I think of gardening. Two plants that are close together have their roots intertwined. To transplant them is to tear the roots apart, the white threads indistinguishable until the ripping begins. This tearing was not gentle, anticipated nor was it kind. The shock has set me back but the sun is shining and I have hopes that one day I will not be so wounded and full of sorrow. One day I will wake to calm and not emptiness.

your voice so sweet carries me forward

The sun is frozen on the branches

outside my window.

I awake alone.

Air hangs cold in the room

There is no sound of you

with coffee cups of love

to warm the day.

I am waiting

for my heart to mend

and pull the wrapping blankets around

to hold me like your arms.

did once.

One foot in front of the other even though I cannot see the ground keeps me moving. The two images I have up at Sopa are in the gallery.

Embrace $680 at Sopa under 8 show

Today I will begin the process of getting my taxes done, finding out if I had a successful procedure to stop the tearing of the retina in my right eye (the doctor said it is trauma related. Maybe 8 weeks of crying all day). I have a yard to prepare for spring. My class in Penticton needs care. I have the marking up to date and some preparation done but I do need to create a mid term mark. I am hopeful that I can get out of this depression and get back to work in the studio. I am pushing myself to function and making accomplishments.

Grieving is exhausting work but I don’t want to take this baggage forward with me. I want it out of my system, out of my heart. There is love waiting for me. I am sure of that.

With a whopping 11% of Kelowna’s residents who are eligible to vote pushing their way off of the couch to go out the door, Kevin Craig has carried the by-election. The 19 years old UBC student who came within 38 votes of winning in the last election cannot be said to have “cleaned up.” So close at under 400 votes.

The questions as to when the residents of Kelowna lost interest in the electoral process, springs to mind. Is there a gradual decline or a eschewing of voting suddenly? What does the refusal to vote mean in terms of the future of the city? How can the relationship between the electorate, the citizens and the city be revitalized? We constantly talk about revitalization of the downtown core, the big structures we are putting in in the name of “progress” but what about the vitality of citizens who feel a part of the social structure of a city.

I am really curious as to what is going wrong. One thing that is happening is that because of the exodus of young people, we do not have the army of volunteers that keep most organization going. Many neighbourhood associations are dying. Many long term groups in the city are hungry for those who have time to keep the board vital. Will it become a place where people live separate from one another, isolate and uninvolved?

Hopefully having a young person on council will help to move the city to creating a more tech and boho friendly city where those under 35 will find employment and enjoyment. It will be interesting to watch.

this gorgeous piece is $1,135 for 50 by 34

Christmas is coming rapidly with no snow. Tonight I saw 20 Canadian Geese flying against a pink autumnal sky. We have neither low winter temperature nor do we have snow. Between seasons, we are sitting on shoulder season even while the rest of B.C. is headed to winter. The flu, the Olympics are discussed frequently. Many arts groups are creating pre-Christmas sales with beautifully made hand crafted gifts but it doesn’t really feel like Christmas yet.

I will wrap the gifts for my family and ship them off next week because recovery from surgery will keep me quietly at home for the next month or so. The last vestiges of my brush with death will be gone. The long, deep scar from cancer surgery is to be excised and a newer more elegant scar will replace it. I look on it as a new beginning. Setting out in January with my stomach muscle reattached and the extra skin and scarring removed, I intend to concentrate on becoming stronger and less focused on work. Follow along to see if that actually happens.

Beautiful moments blossom in each day. Sitting and drinking tea. Sharing a laugh with my husband. Chatting with friends on facebook. These are what makes life such a gift.

Recently the CBC held a forum on support for the arts in Kelowna on the Day Break Show. It amazed me how optimistic the program sang in tone. We were told that 200,00 people were in the Rotary Centre in the past year. The issue of how the community supports the arts was totally by passed because there was no discussion of what “supports” means.

from photo up knox mountain

If by support, you mean they attended a musical event or play that had an ’80s rocker or a play that was popular in other cities in the 90′s, then yes. I guess that is support. But what of the local artists, musicians and performers. The real question is what is happening to make sure that we keep these people alive (as in fed), give them an audience (as in inspired) and build a fan base (as in future security). Is that happening? Most artists and musicians that I know are working on their art at a cost. It is financial with the need to find other sources of income to feed the fire. It is emotional in the attempts to garner a respectfully paying gig, or customers who will buy enough to keep them in paint.

the bridge is the answer to all problems

Why were there 50 fewer artists in booths at Propera this year? The economy is down. But it has always been “down.” We rely so heavily on outsiders to support and appreciate our local talent that most artists end by feeling like creative buskers in a tourist town.

Further to the issue of passivity and apathy, is the up coming by-election. I am really curious as to what percent of individuals here will bother to go out and vote. The last major election it was under 20%. What are you guesses as the interest of Kelowna residents in their future?

The all candidates forum is on Wednesday, November 25th. How many care? How many will come to the forum? Which individuals will have the energy and commitment to the future of the city to go to a polling booth? We will have to watch and see.

where are the dolphins

Meanwhile, I am tired and happily in bed after the Potters and Artisans Show at the Rotary Centre which has just one more day. Hope to see you there Sunday and at local voting station November 28th. We deserve the kind of government we get.

Fall and Winter Classes by Cherie Hanson

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, September 9^th, 6:30 to 8 pm. Writing from Where You Are. A gentle, non-critical workshop on prose writing. Take those old dairies, the notes from your last vacation and create something memorable. 14 years and above. $40

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, September 23^rd, 6:30 to 8 pm. Poetry for the Novice. Creating interesting, vivid poetry under the guidance of a writer who has earned her M.A. In contemporary poetry. $40.

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, October 17^th, 10 – 2, Writing Colorful Poetry ( 13- 17 years)$ 80

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, October 21^st, 6:30 to 8 pm. Making handmade greeting cards: Get inspired to make something unique that speaks from who you are. Make a gift of your talent. For children and adults together. Family fun. $45 includes material’s fee.

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, October 24^th, 10-2, Making Memories (All Ages) Making a gift of a unique scrapbook technique book. $80.

UBC-Okanagan Continuing Studies, cs.ubco@ubc.ca, 250-807-9289

Saturday, October 31^st, 10 – 4 pm,Creative Writing Buffet. Writing various forms. Sample to find what form of writing is delicious for you. $149 +GST

UBC-Okanagan Continuing Studies , cs.ubco@ubc.ca, 250-807-9289

Saturday, November 21^st, 9 am- 2 pm, Digital Photograph Art- From So-So… to stunning OPS 120 FO9A, $125+ GST

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, November 14^th, 10-2, Presenting Poetry ( 13-17) Guided work that takes a phrase, an image and crafts a poem or a selection of poems for the student to take home. $80.

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, November 24^th, 6:30 to 8 pm. Scrapbook Exploration. How to make cards, books, gifts using scrapbook techniques. 14 years and above. Family fun. $45 including material’s fee.

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, November 28^th, 10-2. Adults

The Gift of Poetry. Create your own anthology as a gift for a loved one.

UBC-Okanagan Continuing Studies , cs.ubco@ubc.ca, 250-807-9289

Saturday, December 5^th, 10 am- 3 pm.

The Hidden Poet. Using the senses to explore poetry, interpret imagery and be inspired. $125 + GST

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, September 9^th, 6:30 to 8 pm. Writing from Where You Are. A gentle, non-critical workshop on prose writing. Take those old dairies, the notes from your last vacation and create something memorable. 14 years and above. $40

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, September 23^rd, 6:30 to 8 pm. Poetry for the Novice. Creating interesting, vivid poetry under the guidance of a writer who has earned her M.A. In contemporary poetry. $40.

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, October 17^th, 10 – 2, Writing Colorful Poetry ( 13- 17 years)$ 80

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, October 21^st, 6:30 to 8 pm. Making handmade greeting cards: Get inspired to make something unique that speaks from who you are. Make a gift of your talent. For children and adults together. Family fun. $45 includes material’s fee.

Living in the moment

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, October 24^th, 10-2, Making Memories (All Ages) Making a gift of a unique scrapbook technique book. $80.

UBC-Okanagan Continuing Studies, cs.ubco@ubc.ca, 250-807-9289

Saturday, October 31^st, 10 – 4 pm,Creative Writing Buffet. Writing various forms. Sample to find what form of writing is delicious for you. $149 +GST

UBC-Okanagan Continuing Studies , cs.ubco@ubc.ca, 250-807-9289

Saturday, November 21^st, 9 am- 2 pm, Digital Photograph Art- From So-So… to stunning OPS 120 FO9A, $125+ GST

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, November 14^th, 10-2, Presenting Poetry ( 13-17) Guided work that takes a phrase, an image and crafts a poem or a selection of poems for the student to take home. $80.

Rotary Centre for the Arts Course Studio 205, 421 Cawston Avenue.

Wednesday, November 24^th, 6:30 to 8 pm. Scrapbook Exploration. How to make cards, books, gifts using scrapbook techniques. 14 years and above. Family fun. $45 including material’s fee.

Vernon Community Arts Council, 2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-6243

Saturday, November 28^th, 10-2. Adults

The Gift of Poetry. Create your own anthology as a gift for a loved one.

creating is about perception

UBC-Okanagan Continuing Studies , cs.ubco@ubc.ca, 250-807-9289

Saturday, December 5^th, 10 am- 3 pm.

The Hidden Poet. Using the senses to explore poetry, interpret imagery and be inspired. $125 + GST

From Portland Chinese Garden

The questions of opening oneself up to the internet is very difficult to answer in a straight forward manner. One problem with the internet is that all that is “revealed” will continue to spin in cyber space much as space junk continues to circle the earth long after those who created the detritus are not alive. In the same way, the pictures, stories and videos that people load in, load up and away are to continue twenty, thirty or forty years into the future.

The question of judgment is very, very important. At one time, I sent an email to someone that had other recipients’ emails cc’d and not bc’d. There was outrage. There was flaming. There was viciousness. It was an oversight on my part but it quickly taught me that levels of privacy are integral to a person’s value systems.

When I see someone on facebook putting up pictures of themselves dancing joyfully in his or her underwear, I immediately remove that person from my list. Why? Because people assume that those you surround yourself with are in your “tribe” or share your ethics and world view.

It is enough that I see people fully clothed, struggling to present a modicum of politeness and decorum. I wish in all ways that I can to celebrate and reward the actions of making the internet a calmer place.

I found it interesting the other day when someone said that they would not like it if people they had know thirty or forty years ago discovered them on facebook. It never occurred to me that it wouldn’t be a good thing. We were, after all, equally stupid in youth. As toddlers, we fell and cracked our heads on coffee tables, fell off of chairs, got our fingers caught in things. As twenty-somethings, we stayed up all night, experimented with altered perception, cried for days until we were even more stupid; drove, ate, stayed awake and spent our energy far beyond our safe limits.

So for me, Facebook has been a way to recollect the past. It has been a way to reconnect with people who made a difference in my life. So many of my students have resurfaced and I am filled with joy when I see what they have done with the life they have been given. I found a college room mate from 1964 yesterday and was thrilled. She was studying to be a studio artist and I was working on my M.FA in creative writing. Today she is a poet and I write and teach poetry. However, when I was at that time intent on poetry and English, today I spend an equal amount of time as a visual artist. Being an artist was not even a consideration in my past.

I have begun to chat on line through facebook and have met inspiring people. I have met people who are positive, creative, contemplative and walking a spiritual path. Others are teaching me. Others are widening my world.

In the same way I would not let an angry, hurt being into my house who might damage themselves and others, I retain ownership of who I connect with on Facebook.

Is Facebook a good idea. It is if you are looking to connect with the good in others.

Recent Work Candy Ribbon $650 multi-media

Recently, an estate assessor came into my studio and talked to me about the “valuation” of art. It is, like everything else in life, about perception.

I remember when I was doing research on the best place to pursue my degree in teaching that I was looking for valuable stock. I was investing in my education and I wanted the most powerful degree I could achieve. Western Washington State College in Bellingham was give a top three schools in the West Coast rating in, of all things, Playboy magazine’s assessment issue.

large, flowing image, lyric multi-media canvas

Taking my degree at Western allowed me to be in a highly competitive position. I had a wonderful background in the humanities, in general science, in math logic, in physics and was introduced to the study of movement. We also had to learn to swim in order to teach. This comprehensive program was meant to turn out not little automatons but people with a rich understanding of our cultural history. It has given me grounding and depth in all that I do.

Research allowed me to find a degree of value.  It is the estimation of value in art as well, that has to be considered. The Estate Valuation of art involves the reputation of the artist. While some artists make money in the short term, other artists develop and maintain their value. Thinking carefully about where you exhibit, setting your goals with clear objectives, establishing skills and constantly working on the relationship between yourself and your work; yourself and your customer are central.

Star Shine Multi-media $1,000

I was instructed that one must clearly and consistently sign the work. A biography, a story, an artistic statement should be placed on the back of the work so that as the work makes its way in the world the connection with the artist remains true. And the hardest work of all is to place value on yourself as an artist.

red-black sharp, three dimensional $650

The following images are done on mdf wood in acrylic paint to use as fridge magnets…or to frame.

We have just returned from Portland where the sun was glorious, the art galleries plentiful, parks around every turn and the possibilities for exploring constant. Compared to other American enclaves that we had experienced in our stops on the drive down, the Portland resident seems to be either the cause or the effect of an environment that produces slim, healthy, astute citizens. Women in flowered skirts were carefully helmeted but got around the city on bicycle.

Perhaps, all of the “done to the eyes” matrons were up the hills and not mixing with the populous. At any rate, most of the fashion is studiedly casual. Thrift Chic has become looks like thrift chic.

One fair we attended had brilliantly redesigned recycled clothing which was carefully and fashionably restructured. We found this fair thanks to an email from Greg Pitters, a Portlander I met when he selected some of my designs for his modern, edgy wall decor (check out http://www.designyourwall.com). His wife and her business partner helped to organize the event. Even his young son had work on display and has had three one-man shows. The packed-full-of-art event was held at the Doug Fir Lounge. Cameron was very pleased to find his long-sought after lime soap. Three years ago he found lime soap at a high-end design store in Portland and has been yearning for that clean expression to waft in his bath ever since.

Portland has done so many things right that it is hard to discuss them all at once, so I probably won’t. Parks abound. We went on an urban hike up through the Washington Park area that took us up to the look out. The white puff of smoke from the Adams fire was visible and the mountains were hazily visible. People played cards, had pic nics, read books and just sleep on the grass. The feeling of safety, of utility in the public space was wonderful. It was an outdoor livingroom.

Only once did we experience the presence of poor tortured souls who were trying to find happiness in a self-destructive manner. A group of four who were stoned and drunk got on the train and sat around us. The obese, highly flammable (gauging from his breath) man sat next to me… after he asked me if it was alright. Then he apologized for spilling over onto my seat. Even in the depths of what ever depths he had chosen to visit, he was polite.

After returning from hours of walking freely along the river, riding transport throughout the city and visiting over ten art galleries in a four block area, It is easy to see why Portland is considered to be one of the most liveable cities in the U.S. In addition, the people were answering the questions we posited to one another about when or where as we negotiated the city. They are discreetly helpful. No in-your-face questions about hidden tattoos or birthmarks, just a desire to be of use was the motivation.