A Holiday Head's Up!

Okay, you've waited all year! The 12 Days of Xmas Exchange is set to kick off very soon with the annual Parade of Presents!! For more information and to follow along, follow this link. I do hope you'll join us!

It's an extremely busy time in the studio right now as I just finished putting the finishing touches on a slide presentation that will go along with the speech I will be giving at the Celebration of Ability on December 3rd. I am excited to be sharing (and reliving!) my Games time experiences.

I am also plugging away on writing and art for a new book I was invited to contribute to. Deadlines are coming up soon, so my fingers are flying! I've been enjoying the challenge and feeling like I'm getting alot accomplished.

We're going through a rather unusual cold snap here, so what better time to be holed up in the studio with Indy curled up beside me for company?

And just in case I forget to say so on Thursday, HAPPY AMERICAN THANKSGIVING to my dear friends south of the border. xox

iLike

This beautiful new book, fresh from the hands of the lovely and talented Liz Lamoreaux. I've just begun to read it and am loving it already. It's thoughtful and inspiring and so authentically Liz. I even discovered what I call "a message from the Universe" tucked inside it. What I like about this book is that it takes a different approach than most mixed media art books do. Liz encourages you to turn within and to develop daily practices to help unearth completely new was to express yourself. If you're interested in ordering a copy, you can do so here.



Just like her first book in this style, What It Is, her second book, Picture This: The Nearsighted Monkey Book is a delightful combination of journal, comic book and zine resulting in a work that is visually engaging. She just makes me want to stop whatever I am doing and make zines!



Also on my iLike list are Father's Son by Fistful of Mercy, a band that includes George Harrison's son along with Blue Streak Mama by Vancouver's own Frazey Ford on her debut solo album. Frazey is a member of the trio, The Be Good Tanyas. If you want an oldie, but a goodie, I'm also wearing out Bruce Springsteen's Atlantic City. You can, of course, find them all on iTunes.



In between times, I am working on my speech and slide show (whichis almost finished!) for my presentation and I've begun working on material for the book. I always seem to be juggling a series of projects, but I guess that's how I work best. I'm a multi-tasker at heart. It's probably a good thing I have lots to keep me busy in the studio right now-apparently, I've got a stress fracture in my left foot. I'm supposed to keep off it and let it heal.*rolls eyes* Not terribly happy about that, but what can ya do?



Anyway, before I sign off, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who commented or emailed to say congratulations. Thank you!

Good Things To Share

I have a couple pieces of exciting news to share:



The first is that I was asked to be one of three guest speakers at the Tri-Cities Celebration of Ability on December 3, 2010. I've been asked to speak about my experience as a Paralympic Torchbearer at the 2010 Games. If you are local and interested in attending, the event is FREE, but due to limited seating, you must register. (Click the link to get all the info and to register.)



The second lovely piece of news is that I received an email on Friday inviting me to participate in a new mixed media book that is in the works! It will hit the shelves some time in 2012. I've already begun working on my submissions.



I am very honoured to be asked to participate in these kinds of things. It never gets old and I enjoy the ways that things like this challenge me-I always learn something new.



Okay, that's it for the moment. I have a ton of work waiting for me in the studio!