Hi Adele,
I got asked to write a promotional blog entry to support the recruitment of new folks to the Residency I attended in the summer. I don't think I quite did it right. This is what I sent it but a ton of it was cut out. I suppose it is not a marketing strategy to share the struggle part that comes after transformational learning, even if its true. I suppose that is why I am not a grand marketer. I took out the name of the program here and took out the names of the faculty too. 
Anyway, I share it here with you and this community.
Hugs,
Nicole


-------

“When you’re flying across the ocean, there ain’t no place to land.”

David Fougere - Singer/Songwriter

https://soundcloud.com/user601324276/flying-by-david-fougere

On the very first day, they asked us to present our projects in two minutes or less. When I heard my peers speak about their dreams I thought, holy moly, these people are rockstars! My experience at the *** Residency started with a recognition that I was in a room of cracker-jack change-makers. To be counted among their number helped me see myself differently. If my dream work meant something to these people, maybe it meant something to the world too.

I could tell you how passionate so and so is when she lectures about Jungian archetypes, or about so and so’s awkward grace when he speaks about systems mapping. I could say that so and so’s leadership dojo affected my intuition or that making a drum with so and so helped me centre myself. It would then be important to mention that so and so's artistic workshops validated my own creative practice, and that so and so’s gentle support made anything seem possible.

But really, the true story here is not of what we did but what it did to me.

One main focus of the residency was that if you want to change the world, first you must change yourself. If you want to build resilience in others, first you must build that resilience in yourself.

Do you know that part in the story The Grinch Who Stole Christmas when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes in one day? Well it felt like at this residency that my wingspan grew three sizes all at once. I came back home and felt wider, stronger, and like the structures of my old life didn’t fit me anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGSs33DQ1F0

Many of my friends from the residency had similar awkward re-entries into their lives. I had the same conversation with several people. It went something like this:

“But Nicole, at Banff I felt like my BEST self. I don’t know how to be my best self in my regular life. Maybe it’s not possible.”

“Of course it’s possible,” I’d say reassuringly, like I knew anything about it.

“But how?” they’d ask.

That’s the million-dollar question.

When I came home the personal change cycle that began at the Residency ricocheted to all aspects of my life: job change; home change; relationship change. It was like my wingspan needed more space to stretch out and the universe conspired to clear away anything in its way.

Now I feel I am in a place of more questions about my path than answers, but as an artist I recognize that this is a very important part of a creative process. “You are transforming,” my Dad said to me recently, and it is true.

I can’t tell you the end of my story yet. Perhaps I will send in a post someday that says, ta da, the project I began at Banff is launched and successful. For today though, all I can say is that the *** Residency catalyzed a life change of volcanic proportions. I am grateful for the opportunity to really feel my full wingspan. I don’t know exactly where I’m flying to, and that’s scary, but I believe in the journey.

I am in motion.

Hi Adele
I'm in the final week of my term at York. Here's a sample bit from one of my papers. Yay, for being able to include comics in my academic work!
Hope to see you soon... maybe a coffee on the Danforth?
Lotsa love,
Martha

First Nations Connections

Hi Adele,
A few weeks back, Shelley MacDonald and I had the pleasure of heading down to Six Nations to meet with some media artists who will be working with us on a project there.

We started with breakfast at the Burger Barn. The local meeting place. I love an all day breakfast joint. The artists were really warm, welcoming and interested in being involved in our programming.

After getting to know each other a bit and setting out the nature of our project goals and the timing we travelled to one of the artist's home building project.

She and her husband are building an Earth Ship style house out of mostly recycled materials, including tires. It will be an off the grid building with solar energy, grey water recycling and lots of space for the community to come and meet. Members of the community have been coming to help out and build the dream. It is such an inspiring venture. 

We also visited the ceramic studio of one of the local artists, Steven Smith. His work is so beautiful and each piece tells a story.

We ended our day as it began, back at the Burger Barn to debrief on the visit and make more plans for the next steps. The skies were darkening and threatening snow.

 

But inside it was warm and cozy and I got to try one of the local culinary delights: a deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It was really delicious and I took some home to the family to try.

As we headed home, there was some light in the west to offer us hope for the next day and the partnership we are embarking on and to guide us home. There is always some light, even under a roiling sky.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Good wishes and hugs,

John

the day after the garage sale hello

 Hi Adele,
 Nicole and I talked of many things in that short visit and today I was drawn to stuff that reminded me of our conversation.

We talked about “Decisions”... how while making them there is this, wrestling that goes on between your brain and your gut instinct.

And today leafing through the newspaper I found this

We talked about people and missing the group and friendships and hurt.

And today I was reminded of this piece of my writing, of not so long ago

Praying for courage to be me.

To live in harmony with different parts of myself.

Who have I become?

Hurt hurts

Hurts magnify

Magnify weakness

Weakness celebrates

Celebrates doubt

Doubt taints

Taints judgement

Judgement erodes

Erodes self

Self stresses

Stresses pressure

Pressure multiplies

Multiplies turmoil

Turmoil arrests

Arrests suppress

Suppress hurt

Hurt hurts

When will hurt heal?

Who am I becoming?

Hurts heal

Heal deep

Deep truths

Truths trigger

Trigger Love

Love unconditional

Unconditional giving

Giving Taking

Taking returning

Returning circles

Circles enable

Enable freedom

Freedom encircles

Encircles hurts

Hurts heal

We talked about finding work that pays $$$ and we wholeheartedly agreed that “purpose” had a far greater pull… I told her about this book, ‘The Fall of Freddie the Leaf’. Every Fall since they were little, I read it with my boys [now 18 and 15]… They humor me and I love it! It talks of many things, this time, most important for me is - trusting the unknown.

And today, I picked up the book and had such a fun time recording it on Garage band. All the time thinking of John Scully's detailed instructions at the Media literacy PDs. I want to work on it some more before I send it out.

I told Nicole about my sister who understands “restlessness” and how she invited me to breathe- just breathe - naming what I feel - then sending it out into the universe while thinking of other people feeling the same way.
Nicole gifted me this card

And today this card has found its place in my home.

We talked about how people say the weirdest things, that can knock the wind out of you in the moment. Yet, if you are willing to be aware, you realize, something within needs care. Questions led to more questions and we agreed that sometimes people, they just ask questions that are flawed. 

And today my Yoga instructor shared this quote 

Was today an example of synchronicity or was it God ordained?

garage sale hello

Hello again Adele!

Greetings from Melanie, Erica and Nicole!

Nicole has been doing a give away/garage sale today to clear out her old apartment of extra stuff.
Both Erica and Melanie dropped by at the exact moment that the first snow fall of the year occurred. We tried to take a photo of it outside but it had already past. So fleeting!
Erica took away with her Nicole's old 8 pound weights. And right this very second, as Nicole is typing on the computer, Melanie is sifting through the piles of things looking for treasures. She is going to take away some board games, Martini glasses and Nicole's old favourite bamboo and cloth lamp. Melanie says she takes up the challenge of trying to use all three at the same time. We spoke of you together and wanted to send you our love.

OX 

Melanie, Nicole and Erica  

walking in full colour

Dear Adele,
Cass hosted another arts and crafts evening. Many worthy shoes were painted. Mine are the multicoloured ones and Cass's are the red and yellow ones. I thought it might be fun to wear them while teaching.

We share with you this little spark of creativity today Adele. 

We honour the power of women gathering and creating together.

much love,

Nicole (and Cass too)

looking up 
looking in 
dreaming 
pause
looking up
looking in
thinking of 
you Adele 
with Joy
Michelle 

So lovely to see you today, Adele. Thanks for joining me for the fabulous Consecon Santa Claus Parade! It turned out comics couldn't compete with Santa and his handouts so I didn't have too many customers. I'll have to post my own doodles that I made to entice kids to make comics with me. Enjoy! xoxo Martha

musical sharing

Dear Adele,
I went to a concert today and took some photos to share with you.

I share just to offer a window into the world of what I am listening to these days. Only take a listen if you have time and would like the distraction.

beirut

The band Beirut is my happy-feel-good music.
An interesting fusion of eastern european brass band meets western modern melodies.

Check out one of their songs here:
https://youtu.be/PermEZ18IXg
Lots of playful contemporary dance in that video.

I think this next song is my favourite though. This video is a unique one-shot live version:
https://youtu.be/hq2s0AhdFE4






I ran into Lise Beaudry and her partner. Did you know Lise? She has a nine year child now. (Lise took credit in the conversation for having sent John to LTTA. John, you can decide if she gets the  commission for that find.) She loved the concert and said not to mind her puffy eyes as she had wept all the way though. Some happy-feel-good music also makes you cry. Such is life.












Can you see the accordion player in the background in the right hand photo?

My favourite performer was the drummer. He just had a great big grin on his face for the whole show. It made a real difference to have that kind of positive spirit driving the beat for the whole ensemble. Quite a metaphor for other group collaborations!

Towards the end of the show fans threw rose petals and flowers on the stage.

stromae

And while I'm sharing, I saw a concert by another favourite artist recently. Stromae is big time famous in Europe but just starting to get known in English North America. He sings in French and is from Belgium.

Here is one of his hit songs that I keep playing over and over:
https://youtu.be/oiKj0Z_Xnjc
It's about a son trying to reach out and understand his distant father. There's a line in that song that says, "Everyone knows how to make babies, but no one knows how to make fathers." The dancing in this video is grand fun. I like it a lot.

And here is another favourite. I adore the videography in this one. I'm sure it took a lot of work to make it look so simple and free. It's a love song to one of his early musical influences, Evora Cesaria, from St. Vincent.
https://youtu.be/rO1VDCZh_Ko




Just sharing that joy of music today Adele. Thinking of you.
Nicole

peacock angel

A peacock angel to watch over you. 

Love, Ellen.

cloud bird

thinking of you today

kind wishes from Nicole

Greetings Adele,

More creative interactions with educators over the past few days.  Last week I was with Martha at Sagonaska School introducing the digital media arts program to some new and some returning teachers. I am always so impressed with the calibre of the staff at that school and how they are willing to take a leap with you. It is a privilege and pleasure to work with people who take creative risks and work outside of their comfort zones.

Today I am in Calgary working with more teachers on the DMA project. We started at an art gallery at the University of Calgary where the collages and assemblages of Robert Moppett are on display. Every sort of object, text and painting style is used in the art work. 

 Viewing the works in the gallery really inspired the teachers to look at art and creativity in a new way. Their next task was to try to make their own assemblage with provided images and objects. They rose to the occasion and made some really exciting pieces and spoke articulately about their process of collaborating and creating (the real purpose of the activity). I feel lucky to be in the company of such enthusiastic educators. There is hope for the next generation of teachers and students if they educational system can be filled with people such as these.

Good wishes and hugs to you,

John

a message from Adele

I look regularly at the blog and am forever in awe of the creativity of this group of people.  You bring light to a situation that could be quite defeating and I’m not sure that you are truly aware of the gift that you have given me.  

During treatment there is always talk of the cancer journey, which can be a rather tiresome reference.  It is definitely a journey but one that is filled with detours and sometimes roadblocks.  Depending on the timing, the detour could be a landslide or a little creek to cross. 

All of you have made this journey so much easier to bear.  

My thanks for the support is unending.  

Hi Adele,

Well it's Halloween and time for creative family time.  So the blended extended family had a theme this year.  Voyageurs!  We dressed up and the almost three year old was given a small paddle to carry - what could possibly go wrong with this plan?  Fortunately the allure of candy and practicing the awkward phrase thank-you was his prime concern.  Also insisting on striding forth on foot rather than availing himself of the often repeated offer of a seat in the wagon disguised as a canoe.  We were a big hit on the street.  One mother was very delighted as she is French Canadian from Winnipeg and when her 10 year old was 18 months they'd done something very similar.  Pictures had to be taken to show her husband who was probably out with the 10 year old collecting goodies. Next year the plan is to recycle the costumes and learn a few voyageur songs - oh yes and traffic different streets in case anyone remembers us! Apparently there was a little altering of the picture to make it look older.