May 2014 Newsletter

May 2014 Joanne Thomson’s Newsletter So many flowers to paint and so little time.  I have been busy bottling blossoms in my transforming pain series.  It is seems to be developing into something about preserving.  I always intended it to be about memory and legacy. I am having a great deal of fun creating beauty and metaphor with paint and unusual juxtapositions.  Interested?  You too can become a sponsor.  I’ll place a teaser image or two in this email for you and there is information about becoming a sponsor lower in this email too.
 
Many of you are asking if I am looking for another gallery now that I am no longer at the Morris (and She Said Gallery sold and is undergoing a transformation with all of us asked to remove everything, so no idea what that will become).  So, for now my answer is no.  I am focusing on creating new work, doing illustrations for the Hospice Palliative Care textbook, and allowing time to decide what to do next.  The Gallery scene is changing and I need to figure out my relationship to those changes.  So for now, yes I’d be happy to hear suggestions and have you promote me to galleries, however, I won’t actively be seeking galleries until next year.  Odd I know, and sorry there won’t be invites to shows for a bit, but that will change in 2015 and I might do something here in the fall if I cannot keep a lid on my creations and absolutely need to share them with you.  
 
THE HAWTHORN- Open House May 10, 2014. RSVP only
I’ll be creating a labyrinth on the grounds of the Hawthorn during the open house.  Come and see the gardens, meet Bernice and her helpers, see the workshop spaces.  If you want to come please just email me and I’ll send you the e-vite with the address and directions.
This is the location of my art and nature retreats this year and should be green and flowering!
 
THE SOUTH SHORE GALLERY has re-opened and is looking wonderful. Jessie Taylor Dodd is the new owner/manager.  Elizabeth Tanner will be there a couple of days a week too, helping out with sales.  http://www.southshoregallery.ca
 
Art and Nature Retreats at the Hawthorn
Prices include Meals, Accommodation and Workshops.
June 20 - 22 Solstice: Light, Glorious Light $420- is already full and I am taking a wait list. With the enthusiasm for this format I have made an executive decision and cancelled the 7-day retreat in August and instead will offer an Autumn Equinox weekend.

July 6- 11 (five days and nights, Sunday to Friday) 
Drawing and Meditating on Nature $950
Connect deeply with the visual beauty of the natural world. Joanne will facilitate workshops in sketching, realistic drawing, and painting which will culminate in the creation of your own naturalist’s journal and many small paintings. The focus is on expressing an intimate connection with nature, which can be both quiet, and enthusiastic!
Expect to see your work move toward a more individual style in this intensive week of art. We will work both indoors and out of doors.

September 19- 21 (one weekend, Friday to Sunday) 
Equinox- Restful Ripening $420
Approach the busy harvest season with some time for art making with joy and reflection. With days and nights now being equal in length the focus of the workshops will be on finding and express­ing balance, visually and in our artistic practice. Joy and sorrow are both welcome as are contemplation and exuberance. Everything is part of the balance that makes up life.
 
TRANSFORMING PAIN PROJECT: memories and legacy
Thank you to those who came forward as sponsors.  You could be one too!  On a password protected website page for sponsors (PPWPS). Those of you wanting to be my ‘sponsors’ for this project just need to let me know. You send me $100 and I send you the password.  
As a sponsor you will:
-be invited to the unveiling exhibition for the project
-have first opportunity to purchase any painting on the PPWPS – these are not from the series and are representative of my work over the past 5-10 years and you can purchase them right now.
- be able to use your sponsorship $100 to purchase a painting on the PPWPS or toward the purchase of a work from the series. 
- receive my thanks!
 
AN ART RETREAT IN YOUR TOWN- Ask me.  I love to travel and can make a workshop financially accessible in almost any location.  It has worked in Neepawa Manitoba, Revelstoke, Terrace, Comox and Prince Rupert and soon in Terrace again. Ask and we can work something out. 
 
As always email me if you want more information about any of the above. [email protected]