Some New Directions for 2019

Happy New Year! Yes, I know, somewhat belated. I hope 2019 has started well for you, and that it brings you great happiness, however you define that.

I can’t wait to share with you news of some new creative challenges I’ve taken on this year!

• I am displaying some of my photos and poems in poster form in the Art Gallery at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex. Every two months, there’s a new exhibition mounted by the Ottawa West Arts Association, a group of very talented local painters, photographers, and coloured pencil artists that I have recently joined. I am excited to be the first artist to bring the combination of photography with poetry to the gallery! On now and until March 8 is “Cold Winter Days,” and I have two pieces in this exhibition. Admission to the gallery is free! Plus, all the pieces are for sale at very reasonable prices. To all my Ottawa friends: do treat yourself to this wonderful display of local artistic talent. To others who are farther away, do check the OWAA website: you can meet the artists and see their work there.
• I’ll continue this year to post new photos and poems on the site. What’s new is that, after a focus on my local neighbourhoods for inspiration, I’m expanding my horizons and starting a travel series. We are planning quite a few trips this year, both near and far, so you can expect posts from new locations. First up: two new pieces sparked by Arizona that will be posted later this month. I hope you’ll continue to take a few moments of time to enjoy some beautiful scenes, and that the thoughts they inspire in me also inspire you!

• Finally: are you looking for insight into newly-released historical fiction books? I’m writing feature articles for the Historical Novel Society! Their online magazine is a great source for new titles, and as a features writer, I get to interview authors and provide behind-the-scenes details about things like the source of their inspiration for writing, how they conducted research for their book… even how they came up with the title. My first article is up now.

And – how about you? What new directions are beckoning you in 2019? I’d love to hear about them!