http://supriasdesigns-encausticmusings.blogspot.com: May 2014

"Orange Magic", Encaustic Mixed Media, 5 x 7, 2014

"To build community requires vigilant awareness of the work we must continually do to undermine all the socialization that leads us to behave in ways that perpetuate domination." ~ Bell Hooks, Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope

IN THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER: I am following up on the topic of taking action with our goals and sharing some very cool community and artistic projects that friends & colleagues have developed…Read on for more juicy links.

With the pending provincial elections on June 12th, it is a perfect time to think about how we as a collective can make a difference, take action, share ideas, and most of all hold a vision for a better and stronger community. What is your vision for a better and stronger community?

It is my wish to see a community where we share our strengths and celebrate our successes. Maybe it might be considered idealistic, but I wish for a community where we do away with competitive behaviour, and promote each other's services and gifts. Holding onto the idea that our own way is THE only way, serves to divide us. I aim to live in a world where these divisions are no longer part of the way we operate..Instead, let's celebrate our diversity, our differences and find connection within these differences. This means taking action in promoting each other, even if our business and services are similar, hence leaving behind that competitive nature. This means believing that there is enough to go around for all of us…We are living in one of the richest continents… And if we can share our resources more we would create a better planet all around.

So in that spirit, I would like to share here today, some great art projects that exist in our community and beyond Centre Wellington. First many of you might already know lots about the great community project started by the lovely Shelley Carter, The Elora Tarot Project. However, since I still come across people who haven't heard about it I think it is a good idea to keep promoting the project.

Shelley Carter, coordinator of the Elora Tarot Project, recently presented a paper called The Elora Tarot Project (2013): How the Tarot Stirred a Village at the Association for Popular Culture's Annual Conference, in Chicago. A video called "Elora Tarot Project", also debuted at this conference, and can now be seen on YouTube, featuring several artists from the project.

The Elora Tarot Deck was for sale at the annual (Tarot) Reader's Studio in New York City, in April.

The deck will be for sale in various venues in Elora this coming summer and can be ordered online too.

For more information about the Elora Tarot or to purchase a deck, go to eloratarot.com

Beyond the village of Elora, I am excited to share some news about my dear friend & colleague, Julie Shaw Lutts, collage and book artist, who lives in Salem, MASS, US. Who has created a wonderful art book App, that is available at the Apple App store for free, called The Curious Alphabet. It is a wonderful way to view the alphabet and a lovely way to think about how you or another artist might get their work out into the world for the benefit of learning, joy and amusement…The app is ideal for both small and big kids a like….take a look.

Also below check out a review Julie received on the new app:

Kirkus Review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/julie-shaw-lutts/curious-alphabet/

Finally, Kylie Van Horne and Tim Anderson of Elora, have launched their fundraising SOAR 2014 campaign, raising funds for the Guelph Wellington Children's Foundation, while they also get ready to compete for theSouthern Ontario Amazing Race event. Help them raise their funds for this great cause….

Now an update on my goal setting and putting them into action, as promised in the last newsletter. I have found that keeping my goals clear & realistic, with specific action steps helps with getting them accomplished. However, in life there is always so much to do, on a day to day basis, that it can be easy to get off track and unfocused…And as a result days can go by without realizing you haven't really addressed any of your big goals. So I have found a few things that have helped me specifically:
1. Keeping a weekly and daily to do list. I write my goals for the week on the Monday morning, or sometimes Sunday evening, and the my day to day goals each morning with my coffee. Always relating them back to the main yearly big business and personal development goals. I try to keep them simple and realistic, so that there is time to address the day to day living, family and health commitments. As a matter of fact, I keep those on the list too, so gym dates, my daughter's dance schedule, plus my career business goals all get put onto the plan. I have a formal plan that is written out, this gets done at the beginning of goal setting and can get tweaked from time to time…as LIFE happens, things change. Each day I consult the day to day list.
2. I hold myself accountable by having something to look forward to, a treat or a reward, i.e.: a day browsing another gallery, such as an artist date (like a Friday off), or coffee with a friend, or a massage booked a month ahead of time, etc. In order to afford that massage I have to make money by offering services and doing my work related to the goals.
3. A coach really helps too…So if you can work that into the budget having someone to check in with weekly, bi-weekly on your goals can really keep the momentum moving forward. Or having a group of friends who are also working towards the same end or similar ends with their careers. I have different connections for different things. So I might have a workout buddy, a career coach, an art group to meet with, friends to have some fun with, family to stay connected with and who are supportive.
A diversity of network helps keep things moving along and meaningful.

Most of all, when I don't do what I say I was going to do, I am gentle with myself , and don't beat myself up but just start where I left off. Not giving up totally. There is always a new beginning, a new start.
This way I can relax, not judge myself but treat myself with care as we would treat another. These are all things that help. But most of all having a plan for the day with to do's and a realistic set of goals to complete….that might be one, two or three things for each day.

SPRING & SUMMER CREATIVITY WORKSHOPS

UPCOMING STUDIO SHARE DATES:

Sunday May 27th 10-4 or half day options available. Come work along side me in my studio, bring your own substrates, brushes, personal mementoes, encaustic medium…all else is provided. Some folks have asked to have these materials provided, so I am now offering that option. For a spot email: supria@supriakarmakar.com

ENCAUSTIC LEVEL 1 BEGINNER'S MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOP:
Saturday May 31st, 10-4 in Elora
Sunday June 1st 10-4 at the Button Factory in Waterloo call: 519-886-4577 between 10-5pm Monday to Friday and 12-4pm on Saturdays
Saturday June 21st 10-4 in Barrie call Barb at 705-791- 9963 only a few spots left.

ENCAUSTIC LEVEL 2 - BEYOND COLLAGE
Sunday June 15th, 10-4 in Elora
Sunday June 29th, 10-4 in Elora

MULTI-LEVEL ENCAUSTICS at Homer Watson House and Gallery.Combined Level 1 Beginner's and Level 2 Beyond Collage Saturday July 12th OR Saturday August 9th. Combined Level 3 Texture Galore with Encaustics and Level 4 Pushing the Boundaries with encaustic, Sunday July 13th or Sunday August 10th. To register call: 519-748-4377 or visit:Homer Watson directly.

Summer Week Long Encaustic Intensive
Encaustic Beginner's Level 1 to Encaustic Level 5 Mono Printing with Encaustics
August 11th to 15th, 10:30 -3:30 daily in Elora.
A great week long retreat to immerse your creative spirit.

Above: Encaustic Altered Book, created by Linda Lewis.

Beyond the Cover, An Encaustic Altered Book with Mica retreat in Fergus with Patrice Baker and Supria Karmakar. Thursday July 17th 2pm to Sunday July 20th, 5pm.

For complete information, with more details on what each workshop covers, please visit: www.supriakarmakar.com

Testimonial from past student - CT "Supria is an enthusiastic, passionate teacher and artist. Her Altered Book course gave me the opportunity to explore my interior life, touch the creativity I thought long lost, and play with no expectations. Supria has the ability to encourage, inspire and support the artistic process in her students. I'm very much looking forward to my next course with Supria." by CT

My studio is now located at 50 First Line, Elora, ON. off Hwy 7 and South River Road, if coming from Fergus. I am incredibly grateful for this space.

Website: www.supriakarmakar.com designed byTradesmarksDesign Please check it out and let me know what you think, my new email address is: supria@supriakarmakar.com

Currently my work can be seen at these following locations:

UpTown Gallery in Waterloo, POD in Guelph, 30 Carden St.

www.supriakarmakar.com
http://supriasdesigns-encausticmusings.blogspot.ca
http://beyondthecover-beeswaxmeetsmica.blogspot.ca