Leaving Room to Be Surprised

I've spent much of my life making plans.

Running art festivals required enormous amounts of planning—dates, layouts, artists, advertising, schedules, permits, signs, volunteers. You imagined how something was going to work and then did everything possible to make it happen that way.

The Artists' House has been teaching me something quite different.

Over the past 2 years, some of the things I thought would take off haven't. Other things I couldn't possibly have planned have quietly found their people.

Poetry Night is a wonderful example. We've had book launches, new hosts, first-time readers, seasoned poets, people who simply came because they were curious, and summer evenings that eventually wandered outside to the campfire.

We've explored questions like: What question are you living with right now?, Who helped shape the person you are today?, and one of my favourites from Kelly Watt: If you could say anything you wanted, what would that be?

None of those evenings has been quite the same. And perhaps that's what I've come to love about them.

I'm learning that sometimes our job isn't to know exactly what something will become. It's to create a place for something to happen—and leave a little room to be surprised.

This Friday we're doing it again. I don't know exactly who will walk through the door, what they'll bring to read, or where the conversation will take us. And perhaps that's the point. Please join us for Poetry Night from 7-9pm. 2 Townley St. Nottawa.

Who Comes to Stay?

One of the things that continues to surprise me about running a B&B is never quite knowing who is coming…kind of like a box of chocolates….

When I opened The Artists' House, I imagined skiers, artists, people visiting Blue Mountain and perhaps the occasional creative retreat. We certainly have all of those—but I've also welcomed groups of girlfriends escaping for a weekend, families here for weddings, friends exploring Georgian Bay, couples heading to the spa, and, somewhat to my surprise, several groups of young men who have absolutely loved staying here—and left the house impeccably clean!

I'm learning that different people find different things to love about this old house.

For some, it's being close to everything while staying somewhere quiet. For others, it's sitting in the garden, lounging on the patio, curling up by the fireplace, discovering the art throughout the house, or simply having a comfortable place where a few friends can be together.

Behind the scenes, of course, there's another side to running a B&B: endless laundry, cleaning, making beds, tending gardens, replacing things, rearranging rooms, and continually asking myself, What would make staying here just a little nicer?

Lately I've also been experimenting with something new—giving guests the option of adding a private art workshop to their stay. A few friends who come away for the weekend have spent an afternoon together in the studio exploring watercolour, acrylic or mixed media.

The Artists' House will never be a five-star hotel—and that's not what I'm trying to create. It's an old house, with character and quirks, filled with art, surrounded by gardens, and constantly evolving.

And perhaps that's exactly its charm.

In the Studio

Next weekend is the Great Northern Exhibition, Collingwood‘s annual Fall Fair. I will be exhibiting there with some of my Harriet Butterly collection.

The series explores the objects, places and moments that can unexpectedly stir up old memories—almost like poetry in art. It has been fun pulling up memories of experiencing fall fairs and creating new pieces for this event.

One of my favourites is the excitement of being a teenager and the freedom to be on my own…and of course my first kiss.

Each piece is a surprise….

Maybe that's what I'm learning to appreciate—the things we don't plan for. And having the trust that whatever unfolds is perfect.

The unexpected conversation, the person who walks through the door, the memory that suddenly comes rushing back.

Here's to leaving a little room for surprise. What has surprised you lately?

I would love to hear.

Warmly,
Lory