the day has come. and i am prepping for my next surgery.
harder words have never been typed. or wait, they probably have. and that was when the last surgery happened.
if you're just tuning in, the abridged version of the past 12 years:
we moved to calgary
I worked for 2 years with an oil and gas company
I quit smoking which made my ulcerative colitis flare for a year non stop.
I was hospitalized for a month.
I started to hold it together but work stress kept creeping
I got bronchitis in september 2010
My dad died october 2010
My illness got worse.
I submitted to hospitalization in January 2011.
February I had my large intestine removed.
there was a fateful accident during the surgery.
I recovered for many days and years.
I believed that my art practice was the only thing left to try that would give me another lease on life.
and now I am here.
awaiting another surgery, hoping and wishing that it won't fall apart.
again.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
WHAT? I am on the Cover?
August 15, 2017
Recently, on a really brave day, I wrote my Creative Life Story and submitted it to Blank Spaces, a Canadian Literary Magazine. With a focus on all things creative, Blank Spaces offers regular columns/features in the many categories.
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They not only said yes to showcasing my written submission in the category of Different Strokes, but they featured my art on the front and back covers!
Want to purchase your own copy?
We have two options, save a tree and download a digital version. If you must, get a print copy to hang on your wall, because my digital mixed media piece, Nomad is the feature art for their cover!
Monday, August 14, 2017
GET BRAVE, & CREATE!
AUGUST 3, 2017
I have enjoyed some paint nights with some lovely artists in my studio. The overwhelming sentiment on having a witness to art making, is that it's intimidating at first but quickly releases and becomes super rewarding.
The rewards come in support from fellow artists;
-commentary on what they love (which boosts your confidence on your work),
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| ..having fun with my ladies at a recent Painting Meetup! |
-seeing a direction that you could implement, be it in colour, technique or subject matter.
I could go on. But you get the gist, the panic quickly goes away and the community support grows exponentially.
Which brings me to you, I bet you have always wanted to do art but for the reasons stated above, you have opted to find an excuse? It's so common but a very unique feeling that shouldn't be underestimated, and nor should your courage!
I invite you to consider attending
one or two of the following options....
one or two of the following options....
No art is made during the meetup..but we talk about each artist's process. You 'can' share a piece that you have previously created or just show up to see how it all unfolds.
$5 fee
2nd Monday of each month
6:30-9pm
or
Designed for your pocket book and your heART!! Drop in to make art in a creative environment. No formal instruction - just creative support from fellow artists!
B.Y.O.S. (bring your own supplies)
$20 fee
Weekly on Wednesdays
4-9pm (drop-in for all or some)
Are you wanting to get your art on too? Let me know, I would be happy to host a special class for you and perhaps a group of your choosing!
...hope to see you getting BRAVE soon!!
Paula J. Timm
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
and the winner is!!!
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Friday, December 30, 2016
2016 - What's in a year?
I have had so many very cool opportunities this year! I have been able to: exhibit my art, hone my skills as an creative arts instructor, published articles for super cool Canadian magazines and blogs, apply (and get accepted) to creative arts incubator @cSPACE King Edward, created brand illustrations and marketing materials, and designed and facilitated public art collaborations!
If you weren't already aware of the in's and outs of this creative bombshell of a life of mine..allow me to summarize. Always a creative person, never an Artist. Until I got a chronic auto immune disease. I would get sick with a flare up of u
lcerative colitis, I would take time off work to be hospitalized and convalesce at home. When well enough, I would pass time creating art. When sufficiently healed up, I would return to work and the cycle continued, despite my best efforts to change my habits.
lcerative colitis, I would take time off work to be hospitalized and convalesce at home. When well enough, I would pass time creating art. When sufficiently healed up, I would return to work and the cycle continued, despite my best efforts to change my habits.
My body grew tired of the routine, I had my colon removed, major surgical incident occurred, the pearly gates were previewed, I returned home to convalesce, do art and hopefully not repeat the pattern.
It has been six years since the surgery, and apart from the hardest thing I have ever gone through there have been some benefits. I have learned to share my creative self, became an art instructor, sold my art, published my writing, and practically earned a honorary degree in cognitive behaviour therapy. I am even facing the future of my own studio, where I will teach and share space with the city's bravest entrepreneurial artists and creatives. I could barely dream of any of this paragraph ten years ago let alone yesterday. So I am grateful for every choice, be it a fall or a leap.
I am preparing my body for more alterations, they may have to come surgically, definitely they are coming through therapy and a lot of hard work. I have tried and will continue to try non traditional approaches to my healing. I still hold space for miraculous healing and or pixi dust.
As I count my blessings, I am so grateful for a team of doctors and practitioners which I trust, a spouse that holds the most compassionate space, and a new community of friends to love and support me.
Monday, December 5, 2016
The Other Side of Pain
The second story in "Muse Worthy" features ME!
Visual Artist, Creative Instructor, Wellness Advocate, Writer & Presenter
"Anyone who has suffered from a chronic health condition will likely relate to the perseverance and courage she shares. Her battle with ulcerative colitis and its many complications led her to an unlikely place, a strengthened creative voice that has both healed her and propelled her to new places in life. I hope you enjoy her story and find as much courage and inspiration in it as I do."
The very cool Rachel Rose of Workshop Muse is creating a series on artists whom inspire her.
I am so very honoured to be selected this round in the series Muse Worthy - read here for the full article on her blog.
Her words start reflecting from the time that she met me in my art class to sighting my healing journey with art. I have reread a few times to capture her insights and will continue to re read to capture perspective on my life.
have a read here.. and make sure you read to the bottom for some Question&Answers by moi!
- it is so very beautiful, thank you!
Follow her Facebook Page, Workshop Muse for workshops, creative prompts, and thoughtful articles.
Spark Festival
I am so grateful for the amazing efforts of so many in our fine city of Calgary, like the annual Spark Disability Art Festival. Every year they seem to make it bigger and better with five locations, presentation, and two projects with the U of C.
This year, I participated as a juror for over 250 pieces of art! View the three pieces of mine that were juried at the locations with asterisk below!
Spark is curating some amazing works at five locations across our city:
- *ACAD MAIN MALL LOWER LEVEL
- *IN-DEFINITE ARTS SOCIETY
- *STUDIO C
- LOFT 112
- ARTS COMMONS TINY GALLERIES
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