The First Step

I've been thinking a great deal lately about courage.

Not the kind that makes headlines or changes the world overnight, but the quieter kind. The kind that whispers, "Take one small step."

We often imagine that people who create beautiful things, build businesses, write books or follow big dreams somehow have the whole journey mapped out before they begin.

I suspect the opposite is true.

Most wonderful things begin with a conversation.

An idea.

A question.

A simple "What if...?"

This month I've been reminded of that in several different ways……

Remembering Halina

I just lost a very dear friend, artist Halina Stopyra.

Halina taught me a great deal about courage. Even in the final months of her life, she remained wonderfully restless with ideas. There was still so much she wanted to create and share. She wanted her paintings—and their messages of love, peace, courage and healing—to continue reaching people through her prints, journals, spirit cards, printing her art on clothing and her biggest dream- a book.

And so, we took the first step. She shared her stories and dreams, I listened and took notes.

We didn't have the whole project figured out. We simply started with her paintings and the stories and wisdom she wanted to leave behind. One conversation led to another. One idea became another idea.

And perhaps that's one of the things Halina has left with me.

We often think courage means being fearless or making some enormous leap. But sometimes courage is much quieter than that.

Sometimes it's simply taking one small step when you can't yet see where the path is leading.

Halina kept taking those steps, until she no longer could.

I will continue the project we began, and in the months ahead I look forward to sharing more of her beautiful work, her stories, and the wisdom she so wanted to leave in the world. I made that promise to her, and I intend to keep it.

A Box of Fabric... and an Idea

After Halina passed away, another story about beginnings found its way into my life.

My longtime friend Michelle Brooks recently shared an idea for a workshop at The Artists' House. It started with a conversation—and, rather unexpectedly, with fabric.

Michelle and I have something rather funny in common. We've both inherited enormous collections of fabric from people we loved.

In my case, Al's mom spent a lifetime collecting beautiful fabrics for projects. Some were finished. Many were not. She dreamed of finishing them right to the end, and when it came time to sort through everything after she passed away, I simply couldn't bear to let her dreams disappear.

So today, I have bins and bins of fabric waiting for their next chapter….

Michelle has a similar story- and LOTS of fabric.

She simply said, "What if we created art with it?"

That one question became the beginning of a workshop we're now exploring together.

Sometimes that's all a first step is.

Poetry Night Friday Aug 21st, 7-9pm

This month's Poetry Night feels especially fitting.

We're delighted to celebrate the launch of A Monster Story, the debut poetry collection by local writer Chys Wiltshire, whose work explores girlhood, trauma and healing with remarkable honesty and the courage to write about it.

Our host for the evening is the wonderful Nicole Lagree-Dalcourt, who always creates such a welcoming space for conversation and creativity.

Join us from 7–9 pm at The Artists' House. 2 Townley St. Nottawa. Please park on the east side of the street.

In the Studio

I've continued working on my Harriet Butterly collection—my series of memory pictures inspired by the ordinary objects and places that built the foundation of our lives.

Each piece begins with a simple question:

"What memories and feelings might this awaken?"

Like so many creative projects, each painting starts with one small mark, one photograph, one remembered object.

The whole collection has grown in exactly the same way this newsletter has been talking about.

One small curious step at a time.

This summer I've also taken another small stride by exhibiting Tuesday afternoon at the Wasaga Beach Market. I have always avoided exhibiting art at farmers markets. I figured it would not be worthwhile, but I decided to try it anyway. I was pleasantly surprised to make some art sales- even an original. It does feel odd though going from big shows to tiny markets…. however I am really enjoying it.

I'll be there with a selection of original paintings, art prints, greeting cards and journals—and sharing a sneak peek of what's emerging in the Harriet Butterly collection.

If you're wandering through Wasaga on a Tuesday between 3 and 7, please stop by and say hello. One of my favourite parts of these markets is simply meeting people and hearing their stories.

We rarely know where a first step will lead.

A conversation becomes a friendship.

An idea becomes a workshop.

One painting becomes a collection.

A promise becomes a legacy.

Perhaps there's something quietly waiting for your first courageous step, too. I would love to hear about.

Warmly,

Lory