Fall 2024

Autumn is my favourite season and I sure packed it full of artful activities!!

Naturally, there were several sessions of outdoor painting with my new “en plein air” group, including a visit to a sunflower farm. These trips are so inspiring and while I was still trying to decide between watercolour, gouache, acrylics, inks or a heady combination of each, I took enough reference pics to try them all. I understand Van Gogh’s sunflower passion all too well. 

My niece’s outdoor Fall wedding was a beautiful celebration and included her beloved horses, a food truck and lots of dancing and fun. The decorations I’d made on the Cricut turned out well and I am excited to have participated in my own small way. 

We’re a creative family and in September we lost a dear Aunt who pursued her scrapbooking and card making with a fervent enthusiasm that resulted in a legacy of materials that I’m still gratefully and overwhelmingly sorting through. How many lifetimes would it take to use what we have in our art stash? This question is rhetorical. Please don’t try to answer. I know I cannot and I’m appreciative of the many supplies I’m delighted to play with and share.

Another family gathering took place on the London Airfield when my daughter in law took me and my grandsons to the International Air Show. You may not know that I grew up at the end of a runway as an Air Force brat and lived across Canada and in Europe on military bases. The sounds and sights at an air show thrill me. It was so much fun to share my enthusiasm with the littles and wearing ear protectors, still feel the earth shaking as the jets streaked overhead! Woohoo!! 

Do you enjoy the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade? I’ve watched parts of it on tv over the years, but this November my stalwart travelling companion (aka my sister) decided on a last-minute trip State side (keeping in mind the upcoming political changes and recognizing we might not get back for a while). We drove to our downtown hotel – it was, in hindsight, a bit too close to Times Square, but once again my trusty noise-cancelling headphones allowed me peace from the automotive conversations going on outside. The word cacophony comes to mind. 

Once again we made the most of our time and walked and pedi-cabbed through Central Park and saw some favourite highlights at the Met (Monet, Manet, Morisot, Degas, Cassatt, Bonheur, and Caravaggio!!). We made it to the MoMA for Van Gogh’s Starry Night, and The Neue Gallery for Klimt’s Adele Bloch-Bauer and other delights; the Guggenheim for a fabulous Orphism exhibition; Christmas windows on 5th Ave (and everywhere!), and the lights at Hudson Yard. Before we left NYC we made it to the parade and saw some of the floating spectacles, despite the rain and crowds. 

We enjoyed several recommended restaurants and even happened upon the Algonquin hotel for dinner one night (and channelled Dorothy Parker). There’s so much history in NYC, and I hope I’ll be back sometime soon.

On the return trip another bucket list dream stop included the Corning Glass Museum for a glass blowing display and a bit of shopping. Glassworks caught my attention as an 11-year-old in Italy when I bought several tiny glass figurines with my babysitting money and I still cherish them today. I’ve watched the Netflix series “Blown Away” with rapt fascination and the Corning Museum was more than I’d hoped for or expected. 

Driving home as late as possible we ended up crossing the Niagara Falls border and enjoyed the Christmas lights and displays along the river – spectacular! 

Another major highlight this fall was my sister’s book launch for “Before Goodbye”. While I’ve previously mentioned the cover art and inside graphics that I created, the book itself is a mentoring guide through the worst times of anyone’s life. With checklists, conversation starters and thoughtful suggestions, the book helps you manage the financial, physical and emotional difficulties endured when a loved one is diagnosed with a critical or chronic illness. I believe it’s the book no one wants, but everyone needs at some point. You can find it through her website: www.tracymheath.com or your local bookstore and online.