Thankfulness and your Sign.

Wow!  Hello.

I can't believe that it is only 6 more days to Christmas!  The year has, again, gotten away on me, but I did accomplish a lot, and I have so much that I am deeply grateful for.

And friend, you are one of those things.  A BIG one of those things.  I am so thankful for your support.  Whether you came out to one of my shows, markets, or openings, whether you sent me a quick cheery reply to one of these newsletters, or gave me the encouragement to keep going because you love my art and think it is important, my heart is so full for you!  Thank you!

I also feel very thankful to Linda at the Station Street Gallery who has shown me generosity and support and is now carrying some of my work in her gallery.  You guys, if you want to see some great art work (not just mine! Lol), you need to get down there (1 - 139 Station Street - here in Duncan).

I am eternally grateful to Darren, my husband and roadie extraordinaire, for all his work during my shows, schlepping my work back and forth, helping set up and putting up with my pickiness…:D. I can’t forget friends and family, another reason for deep gratitude. People who stood by me as I struggled with my volunteer work for the local art council and encouraged me to grow and believe in myself. 

So, what’s coming up for the new year?

I feel like I am in a bit of a fallow period creativity wise. It is really too cold and wet to be outside in the welding shop, but I am pretty excited to get started on a bunch of new ideas that I have for sculpture and paintings. Plus, I am preparing to teach an evening workshop at the end of February.

I am also in my planning phase for next year (it is really hard for my ADHD brain sometimes!) so I know I have a lot to look forward to.  As things start to get firmed up and closer in time, I will pass along the information to you.

Oh! I wanted to announce a holiday gift sale…only I waited too long, so I think it will have to be a holiday/boxing day/New Year sale. ;D  I am putting all of my work on at 20% off.  If you were waiting for a sign that it is time to grab a piece of artwork from me, this is it.  The sale will run from now until the end of January, so don’t miss out on the opportunity.  You can see most of my more recent work on Instagram - @blueseedgirl , or contact me at brenda@blueseedstudio.com if you are in the vicinity for a personal showing.

Ok, sorry this email is so long, but I really needed to thank everyone.  I hope you all have the best Christmas and holidays ever, and that your new year is filled with joy, love, and abundance.

Love you all! 

Bye for now!

Brenda

Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this newsletter, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!
 

You are invited!

Hello!

I wanted my October newsletter to hold your personal invitation to my Show...so here it is!  

I am excited to be showing with Bernadette and Cathy, and can't wait to get in to see what the show looks like.  It started today!  I will probably be in the gallery for a couple hours on the Saturdays, maybe doing some felting and answering questions, etc.  Follow me on Instagram ( @blueseedgirl ) if you want to see the times.

My Fall Show - the details in case the invite is too small for you to read! 

My fall show is at the Station Street Gallery - 1 - 139 Station Street - here in Duncan, from October 1st to the 15th. I will be sharing the stage with a fibre artist as well as a painter.  There is also a Meet the Artist Evening scheduled for the 10th from 6 - 8:30 pm where there will be refreshments as well as live music.  It should be fun!! 

Coaching

I am still offering the coaching deal below.  I am calling it my Feeling Rusty Deal.  LOL.

With the events of my life taking me away from my coaching this last year, I feel like I am just a little bit out of practice and so I want to offer an amazing deal to those of you that would like to take a chance with my rusty skills.  For a limited time, any new client will have not only a free clarity session, but 2 extra sessions free.  Anyone that wishes to continue on from there will also get an awesome  deal on a coaching package.  I hope that will encourage many of you that are “coaching curious” to see just what it is all about and how it can transform your life.  I invite you to live in the state of peace and wellness that we all search for.  

Love you all! 

Bye for now!

Brenda

Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this newsletter or the vlog, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!
 

If you have any questions for me, or topics that you would like to see covered in my blog, I would love to hear from you.  Please email me at brenda@blueseedstudio.com.  

A Surprise Show and Congratulations

Heart’s Desire

September  2024

Hello!

Apparently my last email was a bit premature.  I walked into a local gallery one morning last week and walked out with a new show 5 minutes later. Sometimes things can happen just that fast!  

More details below, but first of all, I need to congratulate Nathalie D.the new subscriber who won the copper mobile. I also need to thank all of you for allowing me to fill up your inbox here and there with my news.  I hope you have all had a wonderful summer.

My Fall Show

My fall show is at the Station Street Gallery - 1 - 139 Station Street - here in Duncan, from October 1st to the 15th. I will be sharing the stage with a couple of fibre artists as well as a painter.  There is also a Meet the Artist Evening scheduled for the 10th from 6 - 8:30 pm where there will be refreshments as well as live music.  It should be fun!! 

And please consider this your personal invitation to join us that evening!  :D

Coaching

I am still offering the coaching deal below.  I think I will call it my Feeling Rusty Deal.  LOL.

With the events of my life taking me away from my coaching this last year, I feel like I am just a little bit out of practice and so I want to offer an amazing deal to those of you that would like to take a chance with my rusty skills.  For a limited time, any new client will have not only a free clarity session, but 2 extra sessions free.  Anyone that wishes to continue on from there will also get an awesome  deal on a coaching package.  I hope that will encourage many of you that are “coaching curious” to see just what it is all about and how it can transform your life.  I invite you to live in the state of peace and wellness that we all search for.  

Love you all! 

Bye for now!

Brenda

Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this newsletter or the vlog, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!
 

If you have any questions for me, or topics that you would like to see covered in my blog, I would love to hear from you.  Please email me at brenda@blueseedstudio.com.  

Late Summer Update

August 22, 2024

Hello! 

One little update before the fall…

I have had a great summer.  It was sooo good to have my works at the Patio Gardens nursery in Saanich this June.  I highly recommend them as they have a great selection of plants as well as caring and knowledgeable staff.  As well, I have to thank my friend Larry Stuart for hosting me, once again, in his gorgeous garden in July for his annual San Pareil/Parksville Studio Tour.  The CVAC Outdoor Art Market did not disappoint, and finally, the Art and Music in the Gardens at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific (HCP) also in Saanich, was an amazing event that I hope to return to next year. 

As I attend these shows over a number of years, I get to see many of you and reconnect, and that is always nice!  Really, as much as I should work harder to find gallery representation again, one of the joys I have is being able to talk to and get to know the people that buy my work. 

 My last event before the fall is the CVAC Studio Tour on September 7th where I will turn around and host Larry in my (not as amazing!) garden. :D.  After that, I have decided to gift myself a couple of months of reconnecting with just the pure joy of creating, so I will be playing with other media again.  Can’t wait!

 And finally, many of you will know that I had taken on the presidency of CVAC this year.  Due to the busy-ness of that, I felt like I could not pursue my side quest of life coaching.  Well, I have decided to give up that title and will once again be looking at taking on clients…. BUT!  I feel like I am just a little bit out of practice and so I want to offer an amazing deal to those of you that would like to take a chance with my rusty skills.  For a limited time, any new client will have not only a free clarity session, but 2 extra sessions free.  Anyone that wishes to continue on from there will also get an amazing deal on a coaching package.  I hope that will encourage many of you that are “coaching curious” to see just what it is all about and how it can transform your life.

Well, that’s all folks, for now.  I will be drawing for the mobile for the new subscribers after the September 7th studio tour…so stay tuned!

I hope you are enjoying your summer.  Love you all! 

Bye for now!

Brenda

All the Deets on the Patio Gardens Featured Artist Pop Up

Hello my friend!

Here is the poster for my upcoming show at the lovely Patio Gardens in Saanich. Take special note of the dates that I will be in attendance doing demos and answering questions! I would love to see you there, and hey! Who doesn’t love a garden centre?

A Long Time - Obstacles, Breakthroughs, Blessings and Messages

Hello Friend!

It has been a long time since my last email to you.  I think I left things at – I would let you know when I had some news.  Well, I think I have some news. Lol.  Mainly just an update on where my year went and what is coming up for shows. (Find shows at the bottom of the blog!)

I think if the last year could have a theme, it would be one of obstacles.  I would like to think that it wasn’t only obstacles, though, as I was also receiving a few blessings along the way that have kept me going.

A look at the obstacles.

When I last talked to you, I wanted to pivot.  I wanted to find more ways to earn a living so that I could contribute to the household.  I knew a bunch of things that I wanted to try.  But that knowledge in itself became an obstacle as I knew many of the ideas would require an input of time to learn, and I didn’t know which was the best course to choose.  It was almost as though a richness of ideas became my undoing as I was paralysed into inaction wanting to make the best choice.

Soon, however, that was the least of my worries as I took over the presidency of our local arts council, and became immersed in doing my best for the arts community.  I am not sure that I did even a week’s worth of art for at least 2 months.  It has been a continuing struggle this year to complete my sculptures and other projects.

I also finally went to get a diagnosis of ADHD.  It is another obstacle, which I realized that I actually have been dealing with fairly well over the years. This is not a new thing for me, but learning about it explains sooo much about why I am the way I am, and why some things are so overwhelming. Lol. 

The last thing that hit me this spring was a problem with my insurance because I actually do the welding of my metal sculptures in my back yard.  It has mostly resolved itself, at of course, a greater cost to us, but for a while there I really thought it was time to stop making metal art.  That was a bit of a downer!

Breakthroughs, Blessings and Messages

It has not been all hardship, though!

Around about the time I was having the ah-ha moment around my ADHD, a contest came up for some business coaching with a person I knew through the local Chamber of Commerce.  Having gotten to know a bit about Chris’s generosity and character through our few encounters, I immediately applied, and while I didn’t win the full coaching package, Chris offered me a 3 session “mini coaching package” gratis. 

I jumped on it, and what a blessing! Chris showed me a way to figure out the best course of action when you are paralyzed, and helped me to find the motivation to keep going, keep trying.  What a breakthrough!

Soon after that, I realized that while I love my art community, I really need to relinquish the title of President at the next AGM.  I was so torn because I felt that I really wanted to serve the amazing people of this community, but coach Chris made me realize that the people pleaser in me was not letting me find the balance I needed to take care of my own needs.  It was a hard-won bit of wisdom.

And finally, when I would look around in despair and wonder how I could move forward, especially with insurance throwing up the last obstacle, I would receive little messages.  Now I don’t know what you believe about how things work, but I feel that I am often given messages by a higher power…my angels? My mom in heaven?  And the messages I mostly got were
“persist”!  

A podcast I was listening to would be on the topic of how a person persisted beyond all reasonable expectation only to finally emerge successful.  Actually, a number of podcasts around this time had a similar message of persistence.  A friend said to me, when I told her of the insurance debacle, that often when things are hardest, success is just around the corner.

Someone told me the parable of the treasure hunter giving up just before they reached the treasure.

So I am persisting, as per direction! Lol.  Truly, I am not sure I could give up art if I wanted to.  And it feels so good to be creating more again.

And the last message I have received is to give myself a break when I need to.  To find some balance in all areas of my life.

I guess, all of this is to say, I am still here, and if you were wondering what happened to me, now you know.  Life is crazy and I am still learning. 

I hope you are all having a fantastic spring and getting a chance to smell some spring flowers.

 Take care, love you all, bye for now.

Brenda

New and old things: (aka. Shows)

Currently – you can find my latest piece in the Fine Art Show at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, James Street, Duncan, B.C.

June – Featured Artist at Patio Gardens in Saanichton, 6536 West Saanich Road, Victoria, BC

July 13 and 14th – San Pareil/Parksville Studio Tour in my friend Larry’s beautiful garden, 856 Terrien Way , Parksville

July 27th – CVAC Outdoor Art Market, Downtown Duncan

August 10th - Have applied for Art and Music in the Garden at HCP – the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific. Cross your fingers for me that I get in!

September 7th – CVAC Studio Tour – come see my art in the back garden and the little shed that I work out of!

Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this blog, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!!

The Sun is Here!

April 2023

After another mostly rainy month, it is looking like we will have the last few days of April for sun and warmer temperatures.  Yay!!!
 
This month has been full.  I managed to get my second commission of the year done.  I might at some point make a video of all the pictures and install video…:D. Plus, I had enough time for an entry into the Cowichan Valley Fine Art show coming up in May. 

I also finished a crocheted basket, and my poncho, and now am looking for my next crochet project.  Oh! I need a beanie for welding…easy enough.
 
And guys, I have been struggling with myself for over a week to get a blog or vlog done.  I have just been feeling blocked at every turn.  But it is finally finished!  See below for more on my quest to follow my heart.
 
I have also decided that I will no longer promise a newsletter each month, but rather when I have something relevant to say to you all.  On the other hand, I would be so excited to hear from you.  If you are curious about something, want to know more about a show I am at, or just want to talk art, I love it when I get messages from subscribers.  If you don’t mind, copy and paste this address into your email so that it comes directly to me.  brenda@blueseedstudio.com
 
I hope spring is bringing you sunshine and joy!
 
Bright blessings…Talk soon!

Oh! Ps. I am not sending this out to Facebook as the Vlog contains images of my CVAC Fine Art Show entry...so you all get a sneak peak before the rest of my peeps!

Photos: I do still occasionally work in 2 dimensions, but these two babies will have to wait to be finished now that warmer weather has come and I can get out to weld!

Find me here:

Currently, I am showing at the Rainforest Arts Gallery in Chemainus (9781 Willow Street, Chemainus, BC.) 

CVAC Fine Art Show - May 5 - June 2, 2687 James Street, Duncan, B.C.

Shades of Green: Art on the Acreage - July 8 - 9th, 2808 Sprott Rd.

San Pareil Studio Tour - July 15 and 16th. 856 Terrien Way , Parksville

CVAC Outdoor Art Market, July 29th.  Downtown Duncan.
 Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this newsletter or the vlog, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!!

Happy Spring everyone! And Happy Easter!

Irises from my garden. They are not this far advanced yet this year, but it is what I am looking forward to!

March 2023

It is so good to start seeing all the different flowers poking their heads up.  The tulips and irises.  The hyacinths, poppies, peonies, lavender, lupins and more.  All are showing signs of life.
 
And we all know what that means…it is time to get out to the shed to start welding again.  Yay!
 
This month, when it has been warm enough, I have been picking away at a new commission, and when I am not doing that, I have been in the process of re-evaluating my business strategies.  
 
I am trying really hard to take some time to make a change and that means that I need to stop doing somethings that I have always done so that I have the time to do the others.  It is really hard to stop working in the way that I always have, but I really want something to change so I have to change too.
 
To that end, I may not appear in every art show that I did last year. I am also going to change the format of the vlog.  While I enjoy the process of editing my videos, it takes a lot of time.  I think going forward, they will start to feel more like a cross between a podcast and a blog where I will still post a YouTube video, but it will have only one or two images and the meat of if will be me speaking.  Of course, I still want to do some more interviews with other artists…so that will be a bit different.
 
In any case, I have a short vlog this month.  It is a peak into my process of putting together a new piece of equipment for my welding.  
 
I hope you are all enjoying the longer days and that your Easter is warm.  
 
Bright blessings…Talk soon!

If you have any questions for me, or topics that you would like to see covered on my vlog, I would love to hear from you.  Please email me at brenda@blueseedstudio.com.  

A view from the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre where I attend a Makers' Circle

 Find me here:

Currently, I am showing at the Rainforest Arts Gallery in Chemainus (9781 Willow Street, Chemainus, BC.) 

San Pareil Studio Tour again this year.  Yay!  July 15 and 16th. Address to come...

CVAC Outdoor Art Market, July 29th.  Downtown Duncan.

I am still deciding on a few shows coming up...

Find me teaching!

I will be a part of the next CVAC Art Dabble Series running later in April to May. This time, I will be teaching a mixed media collage class to anyone joining. My class is the last in the series on May 2nd. The series is $125 for members, $140 for non members.  It will be in the CVAC Studio (2687 James Street Duncan, British Columbia). https://cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

I will be teaching felting on April 15th at the Shawnigan Community Centre, for the Cowichan South Arts Guild.  Participants will learn how to paint with wool in this class.  More details nearer the date.  https://cowichansouthartsguild.com/

Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this newsletter or the vlog, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!!

February Connection and Storytelling

“Samples" I made getting ready for my Art Dabble felting class at CVAC.

February 2023

Hello my friends!
 
I feel like February should be for connections.  Aside from the fact that so many people just feel left out of Valentine’s Day if they are single, romantic love is not the only type of love or connection that we can celebrate.  So, I vote that we make it about connecting with each other, whether that be through stories, art, or really any old way that you like.  What do you think?
 
In the spirit of this thinking, I am connecting with my friend and fellow artist Wendy Duffield for an interview on the vlog, and I guess I am connecting you to her.  

This is a great exploration of how Wendy’s art has developed over time and how her pieces tell the stories of her life.  It is also a longer video, so, if you are busy, it is also a very listenable interview that you can treat as a podcast on the go.  Link below!
 
I hope your lives are filled with love and connection and art this month!  Take care.  
 
Bright blessings…Talk soon!

If you have any questions for me, or topics that you would like to see covered on my vlog, I would love to hear from you.  Please email me at brenda@blueseedstudio.com.  

A little froggy commission I made that will be a gift for the client's friend.

Find me here:

Currently, I am showing at the Rainforest Arts Gallery in Chemainus (9781 Willow Street, Chemainus, BC.) 

I have entered 3 pieces into the Volunteer Show at CVAC, Volunteers Unleashed.  It runs Feb 14th to the 28th (2687 James Street 
Duncan, British Columbia).

Decided to do the San Pareil Studio Tour again this year.  Yay!  July 15 and 16th. Address to come...

Find me teaching!

I will be a part of the next CVAC Art Dabble Series running later in March or April, I believe. This time, I will be teaching a mixed media collage class to anyone joining, not sure what day yet.  The series is $125 for members, $140 for non members.  It will be in the CVAC Studio (2687 James Street Duncan, British Columbia). https://cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

I will be teaching needle felting on April 15th at the Shawnigan Community Centre, for the Cowichan South Arts Guild.  Participants will learn how to paint with wool in this class.  More details nearer the date.  https://cowichansouthartsguild.com/
 

Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffeehere: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this newsletter or the vlog, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!!

---

Take this Joy - the Vlog - #13

Ready, Set...Go!

January 2023

Work in Progress - Felted Vessel

And…we’re off to the start of another crazy year.  Well, I hope this one is not so crazy.  :D

How is everyone doing?  Have you been making crazy resolutions and dropping them already? Did you all have a good holiday season?
 
We were quite lazy, and I told that part of my brain that kept telling me I ought to get some project done around the house, that I was incubating – letting my subconscious mind percolate over all the ideas I had so that the best ones could rise to the surface when I was ready to start to work.
 
Unfortunately, too many of them have risen (this is really nothing new, I have a very creative brain! Lol), and now I need to sort.  
 
Which kinda leads me to the Vlog.  I had a lot of ideas about where to begin this year’s vlogs, but, as usual, my heart told me last minute what we were really going to do.  So I am sharing with you some of my discoveries about how change can make us feel vulnerable.  I hope this resonates with you.  The link is below!
 
Happy January, see you next month!
 
Peace out!

May I be of assistance to you?       
 
You, of course, know that I am a certified life coach, and I currently have space for a few new clients.  If you are looking to level up your life, relationships,  or build self-confidence and compassion, I am here for you.  Please take look at my coaching page on my website BlueSeedStudio.com, and contact me if you are interested.  Will you also please consider referring your friends and family to me if they are looking for a coach?  
 
I invite you to live in the state of peace and wellness that we all search for.  Many thanks in advance!

If you have any questions for me, or topics that you would like to see covered on my vlog, I would love to hear from you.  Please email me at brenda@blueseedstudio.com.  

New work in progress.

Find me here:

Currently, I am showing at the Rainforest Arts Gallery in Chemainus (9781 Willow Street, Chemainus, BC.) 

I have also entered 2 pieces into the Volunteer Show at CVAC, Volunteers Unleashed.  It runs Feb 14th to the 28th (2687 James Street, Duncan, British Columbia).

And finally, I have applied to the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery's Fine Art Show in February, but won't hear back from them to see if my pieces were accepted until the 21st of this month...

Find me teaching!

I will be a part of the CVAC Art Dabble Series running from January 3st to March 7th. I will be teaching a felted vessel similar to the work in progress above on February 28th to anyone joining.  The series is $125 for members, $140 for non members.  It will be in the CVAC Studio (2687 James Street Duncan, British Columbia). https://cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca/event/art-dabble-winter-session/

I will be teaching needle felting on April 15th at the Shawnigan Community Centre, for the Cowichan South Arts Guild.  Participants will learn how to paint with wool in this class.  More details nearer the date.  https://cowichansouthartsguild.com/

Your support is so appreciated!  If you would like to have another way to show me the love, you might want to buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brendait Thanks so much in advance!

Oh! and lastly, if you think your friends would enjoy this newsletter or the vlog, please forward it on to them.  I am attempting to grow my audience and business, and sharing my content with others really helps me out. Thank you!!

The Vlog!!!