Monday, October 20, 2008

Tag, Awards and Magnum Opus



Magnum Opus, a Gala art auction library fundraiser in Moncton, is set for next Sunday, the 26 of October. It's a cause I'm eager to support.


Libraries are easy to take for granted, but they are such a great resource. Even today, it's not possible for everyone to get extended learning. I know I'm hungry for more education, but circumstances prevent me from going. I'm certainly not the only one. For some people socio-economic barriers, location, health issues, the difficulties of immigration, heavy family responsibilities, and other reasons make the challenge insurmountable. The library makes it easy to stay informed or get an education regardless.


It's also such an environmentally sound system. We may not think of it, but when we borrow from the library, we're reducing our consumption and the size of our ecological footprint.


Support has been outstanding from sponsors, newspapers, television and magazine coverage. The library is thrilled to have writer, Kathy Reichs, as the guest speaker. Brian Cormier has all the details and a list of participating artists on his blog. I love it when an art event gets that much buzz!

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I've been tagged by Robyn at Art Propelled, a wonderful sculptor and story teller, with lots of gentle wisdom on the creative process.

I guess I've got the library on my brain, since several of my facts were literature related. So I made my random/ weird facts on a literature/library theme.

1. I took a course in writing for children and teens and I still have a soft spot for children's literature. All time fav's: Brian Jacques, Karen Cushman and Louis Sachar.

2. I made the goal when I was in grade five to read all the classics. Hah! Talk about unrealistic ambitions. That won't ever happen, but some of my favorite classics are Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice, Great Expectations, the Bible, The Scarlett Letter, and To the Lighthouse.


3. Lately it's got to make me laugh and if it feels at all like it might 'improve my mind', you know, homework-like? *blush* I can't be bothered. Absolutely loving British comedies like P.G. Wodehouse, Sophie Kinsella, Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde.

4. Have you ever tried dinnerotica? Rated General or PG and meaning luscious, drool inducing descriptions of food and cooking. Curious? Try Peter Mayle. Mmmmm...


5. I love black and white movies with spunky women like Kathryn Hepburn and Mae West. Yay! Most libraries have DVD sections now.

6. Last fall I did a Brahms experiment. While painting, I would listen only to Brahms. Here's how it turned out. Now I'm doing a Mozart experiment to see how he affects my painting. All CD's have been borrowed from the library.


7. I had an acquaintance in Millville N.B. who learned how to prospect from borrowing books from the library. He got such a complete education , he ended up working professionally in this field.





THANK YOU so much Picciolo from the UK for the Proximidade Award" or "Friendship Around the World Award"! This award highlights blogs that are special in some way and extends the hand of friendship around the world. Isn't that a great thing about blogging? Armchair travel at its best. This way we not only get to read about foreign places, but meet great people from all over the world. My international buddy, Picciolo's blog features happy, colorful designs on items like purses and pouches.




This award from Jeane is such a delight. It's a 'no strings' attached' award (fun!) and I'm really pleased to have met such a great artist as Jeane. I've learned a lot from her techniques, and I'm double pleased that she likes to hang out here.


Now I'd like to recognize some great blogs. Please pick the award of your choice. Alas, I'm still somewhat of an internet introvert, but I'm slowly adding some new favorites.


For tag: 1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.

4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


For international friendship: choose 8 of your favorite blogs and ask them to do the same.


For no strings: No strings :o)





5. Amarosia

8 comments:

MiKa Art said...

Hi Shayla, thank you so much!! What a nice, bright gift on the rainy late Autumn day! :-)

Jeane Myers said...

shayla - OMG! one of my favorite things - LIBRARIES! - the library has been one of my best friends since I could read - thrilled to find out that you are such a supporter! - congratulations on your very well deserved blog awards! and I get to check out some new blogs! and a very sincere thank you for your kind comments - ditto!

Regina said...

Hi Shayla,
thanks for the nomination. I've been buried in projects & working extra hours at the j-o-b.
I also LOVE libraries. If I should forget to return items on time, I never begrudge the fines because I just see it as extremely cheap rent. ;-)
Audio books are a favorite to check out for long trips. The library helped me make selections to start building my own music library. It was nice to try out artists at home and save money by not purchasing CD's that I don't love.

Tracy said...

Hi, Shayla! Libraries have been my favorite places to go since I was very young...nothing like a Saturday morning at the library and bringing home new reading, or just staying a while--libraries generally being cozy places. And you're right in that libraries make terrific ways to supplement our educations--no matter what our age or situation, it's a wonderful thing. Hubby & I uses all the library has to offer and enjoy it all immensely. And the eco-friendly way is a huge bonus too! :o) Congrats on all your awards. And many, many thanks for sharing one with me--what a thrill and honor coming from you! :o) Fun to your your 7's...your list is much like what I'd write! Dinnerotica--oh, yes---LOL! And I like your painting to music experiements...your Brahmas period yielded beautiful, sensitive work. Happy Day, my friend ((HUGS))

Unknown said...

Oh Shayla, a big thank you..a great gift for me for recovering fm my fall and sitting on own butt haha :P I love libraries too but unfortunately the ones we have are not updated and hardly anyone goes. Congrats of course on your awards, big hugs :D

picciolo said...

hi, I hope your library fundraiser goes well, I love visiting the library, although I must admit as my husband is a bookshop manager we don't go as often as we used to. Congratulations on your other award, and it was interesting to read your 7 facts!
: )

ArtPropelled said...

Shayla, thank you for the really kind words and congratulations on your well deserved awards.

I always used to hang out in libraries when I was a kid. I couldn't get enough of them....and then I worked in the University of Natal Library for years. At one stage I worked with all the new art books coming in. How wonderful is that?

Shayla said...

Wow! Great to see such library support here. M.Kate, sorry your library's outdated. It's too bad when that happens.

Tracy, we'll have to swap favorite titles :D

Jane, your hubby's job is too cool! I love bookstores too. No library has enough funding to get you every book you want to read... besides some special ones need to be re-read and owned.

Oh, Robyn, that must be why you know about so many good art books! What an awesome job. My spouse-guy used to work at the library when we lived in the country. Heh, heh. Except for enjoying the view, hauling home our stash of books and music was our only entertainment.