Category Archives: Uncategorized

Peaks and Valleys: Must-See Local Artist, Caran Magaw

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Caran Art Show One of the fun things I did so far this month was  attend Peaks and Valleys, the opening art show of my friend, Caran Magaw. For the entire month of March you can see and purchase Caran’s art at the gallery, Framed on Fifth, a small character gallery at 1207-5 Ave in Kensington, in the heart of Calgary.

At the opening I spoke with Hannah, one of the proprietors of the gallery. She shared that the gallery focuses on up-and-coming and local artists like Caran. It was comforting to know there are still businesses that understand the impact of supporting local and budding artists.

I met Caran years ago at a  friend’s birthday party where we hit it off immediately after discovering our mutual love of reading. Soon after, I joined Caran’s book club, of which I was a member for five years.

Over the years I’ve seen Caran evolve tremendously as an artist. Mostly I’ve admired her determination to work on her art, really work on it, for the pure joy of it. I strive for that state of mind and reliable execution.

Caran’s early work was farm-centric, featuring grain elevators, yellow fields of grain and portraits of horses.

Two years ago I bought my first piece of real art, Caran’s Bold Mare, a jaunty white mare on a red background. The painting takes me back to memories of the white mare I rode as a teenager. Caran let me pay instalments and Bold Mare has been my most exciting purchase in years. I felt privileged to support my friend’s art by buying some of it.

I know little about art, except I do know what paintings make me feel good when I look at them. I was drawn to Caran’s recent work, mostly landscapes, which look like watercolours accented with black oil paint. I’m sure that clumsy explanation is completely inaccurate. Regardless, the effect is bold and beautiful.

When I visited the gallery I spotted another piece I covet. I could tell you the name but then you might snatch it from under me! I’m hoping all her paintings sell but that one so I can have it for myself, maybe strike up another payment plan!

I do hope you’ll visit Caran’s exhibit, if nothing else but to look at some very pretty pictures painted my a very lovely local woman, supported by a local business.

Caran Magaw, Calgary Artist

Caran Magaw,      Calgary Artist

 

 

 

New Old Friends

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friendsOriginally Published April 19, 2013

Have you ever met someone and made an instant, almost “feels like family” connection?

I met with one of these “new old friends” this week.

I met J_____ a few weeks ago at a rubber chicken luncheon where I was speaking. She introduced herself as a fellow writer after I spoke and we exchanged business cards.

We agreed to meet for “pho”.

I’m there mere moments before she is. When she arrives she hugs me. That feels pretty good but it occurs to me that I’m hugging a stranger, something I would never have done 20 years ago! My, how I’ve grown!

In just over an hour, we discover remarkable intersections on our journeys. We have both nursed sick husbands, raised children and are actively involved in our grandchildren’s lives, though hers are boys and mine are girls.

She doesn’t look or act like a granny. Neither do I. But our enthusiasm for those little people oozes from both of us.

We have worked in many of the same industries. Politics and media are among our commonalities.

We have both accomplished much without expensive educations. Ours is self-directed through devouring books from an eclectic range of genres and taking courses that genuinely interest us, not fluff that meets program requirements.

We share our admiration for our city: she returns home after 25 years away; I adopted it as my home 18 years ago.

We agree we don’t see the point of retirement, especially if it means doing nothing. We’ve both done so many things and neither of us plans to slow down anytime soon.

She is on a mission to learn everything she can about the oil sands. I won a contest with my speech, “My Opinion of the Oil Sands“.

But what really resonates with me is her joy. She chooses to be happy despite the typical tears and tribulations of a life on this planet.

We share food which seems to be an intimate action for two women who have just met. I enjoy the incongruence of that.

We end with another great hug.

On my way home I bask in the warm glow of a budding friendship with someone whose story I feel I already know, yet I’m intrigued to learn more.

It feels a bit like a first date and there is chemistry.

It’s nice to have a new thread to weave into my life’s tapestry. Who knows what image will emerge?

Here’s to old friends and new friends, new old friends and old old friends, young friends and old friends. Thank you for enriching my life!

Our Disclaimer

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disclaim1. “We” are me, Shelley Goldbeck, and my helpers. You know who you are so we don’t have to define that.

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These are a Few of Your Favourite Things

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First posted January 3, 2013

signatureWhere does the time go? The years fly by. Can’t believe it’s 2013. Another year, gone.

These are sentiments you may hear frequently at dawn of a New Year.

A friend’s “Favourites” list inspired me to ditch my cliché blog on New Year’s resolutions.

New idea: perhaps if we cement the experiences of the past year into our brains, time won’t seem so fleeting. (continued in read more)

Why not bask in some of the glorious moments of the past year? Hold them. Fondle them. Imprint them into our memories.

It’s our history.  And if we don’t study our past, reflect on it, play with ideas on how we could have improved certain outcomes or even savor the moment more diligently, how can we expect to make this year better?

Lasting change is gradual, building on previous small changes. By reflecting on the good times we experienced last year, we can positively influence the outcome of the coming year, standing on the shoulders of our successes.

I’ve included the edited Favourites list, below.  Your favourite movie, song, artist, colour, lunchmeat, soft drink, etc. do not appear on this list, (unless, of course, you’re moved to add them).

Best of all, you do not have to send it to 16 friends in ten minutes or risk irreparable damage to your hard drive and 15 years bad luck!

I encourage you to contemplate/complete the list (or any list that causes you to reflect), add new categories, and/or share it with whomever you feel comfortable.

I won’t bore you with my favourites. (Except this one: My Favourite Non-News Story: The World Ends 12-21-12!  …So Y2K!)

(Okay, just one more! My Favourite Honour: on my friend’s list I was her Favourite Inspiration!)

When I did this exercise, I noticed that my future goals are largely connected to the small goals I accomplished and my favourite experiences last year.

I’ve come to understand that I create my own reality. Rather than not making resolutions, bleating the common chant, “because I never keep them”, my small victories and favourite moments encourage me to create more small victories and favourite moments.

At the very least, a list like this reminds me to be grateful for the many blessings I experience and receive every day.

I wish you all The Best for 2013.

2012 Favourites

Favourite compliment(s):

Favourite clients:

Favourite praise:

Favourite accomplishment:

Favourite good deed:

Done to me:

That I did for somebody:

That I witnessed:

Favourite trips:

Favourite culinary discovery:

Favourite thing I learned:

Favourite projects:

Favourite inspirations:

Favourite counsellors:

Favourite paycheck:

Favourite date with a friend:

Favourite supports for Family/child:

Favourite social occasions:

Favourite surprise gift:

Favourite moments with pets:

Favourite things your kids did:

Favourite moments with children:

Favourite changes:

Favourite feel-good buildings:

Favourite meals out:

Favourite meal in:

Favourite cafe:

Favourite experiences in a cafe:

Favourite physical/health accomplishments:

Favourite community accomplishments:

Favourite spiritual moments:

Favourite work experience: