Hello again Friends,

I wrote this month’s news letter in anticipation of knowing whether I’d been shortlisted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition or not and today they announced their decision.

Mood boosters

Covid taught me the value of keeping a list of jolly ‘pick-me-ups’. When my mind is distracted like this, I like to focus on things that need to be done outside the studio. So for the past week, I’ve been spending time planning my garden, getting quotes for a new deck surface (the vinyl sprung a leak this Winter) and I wrote a blogpost about our field trip to NYC in February. (Warning - It’s long and full of fascinating links - grab a cup of tea!)

…..Admittedly it was a high bar and I went for it - can’t help feeling a dip though - I’m disappointed, but not discouraged.

Equinox

Nature surrounds us here in Squamish. There’s something deeply reassuring about the arrival of Spring. Rivers fill up with glacial water, hummingbirds are back at the feeder, having survived another Winter, the sun breaks through and daylight lasts longer. Signs of renewal and hope are everywhere, a welcome diversion from the insanity in the world at large. I learned recently that during the Spring Equinox, almost like clockwork, adult Western Toads start their migration from the woods behind my house to mate in ponds nearby. This year, I’ve volunteered to help the Squamish Environment Society monitor activity along the trails and raise awareness through social media. Training starts this weekend!

…..exhibiting internationally is a hard nut to crack - and an expensive business. I’ll persevere, but in the meantime there are some great opportunities closer to home and I’m grateful for those!

Brackendale Art Gallery aka the BAG

The Brackendale Art Gallery re-opens in April after being closed for renovations and a change of ownership. It’s been an important cultural hot spot since it opened back in the ‘70s, the brainchild of Thor and Dorte Froslev. Over a span of 50 years, they built a very quirky, much loved arts + culture gathering place and eagle sanctuary in the woods. They invited established musicians, artists + performers from all over the world and more or less put Brackendale on the map! After Thor died at the end of 2022, aged 89, we all hoped the property would be bought by entrepreneurs who would support his legacy and allow it to continue. We’ve been lucky! The opening weekend, April 4-7, 2024, will feature new programming including an exhibition of paintings in The April Show, various musical line-ups, a new café/restaurant, art workshops and dance classes. I’ve been invited, along with 8 other Sea to Sky artists, to take part in this first exhibition - a perfect opportunity to debut my new bird paintings.

If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, it’d be great to see you at the reception - Thursday April 4 at 7pm. Otherwise, I hope you all have a wonderful start to Spring, wherever you are!

Zoë