Little town...its a quiet village

Bonjour!

Ive been in France a week today!

I arrived after a downright JOYFUL travel experience. I know planes are uncomfortable for most people but as a person of size Plane travel can be anxiety inducing. This was the third plane trip for me this year (I have been extremely blessed and I am so thankful) so I wasn’t as nervous, but it was the longest trip. Even after I was told that the plane was full and I would certainly have a seat buddy, I DIDN’T for both flights! So I was comfortable and that was awesome.

My Mom and Chris picked me up in Basel Switzerland and then we made the quick (hour and a half) trip to Pelousey which is our home base and where my Mom lives.

I am loving the scenery here! When we drive through the village I immediately burst into singing “little town” from Beauty and the Beast. I was noting the other day that when you drive through the villages, down narrow roads past stone buildings and church steeples it feels like your are on a movie set and just feels very surreal. 

Just the day before I arrived Mom and Chris found a Trailer for their garden. This Trailer is my home until I return to Calgary, again I just feel so lucky. It even has a little working fridge! 

The first few days in France have been just lovely. My Mom and Chris took me to “Viet grania” which a village garage sale. So instead of people selling from their homes everyone gathers in the Village center and has little booths. It was interesting how much rusty antique stuff there was, certainly right up my Mom’s alley!

I am currently working on a (secret) art project that involves lots of patterns and prints, so taking a look at the China at these sales was special inspiration. 

One of the things that has been really interesting is getting to experience France with Christophe’s(my Mom’s husband who is French) input, he lived in Canada for 20 years so has a really clear understanding of some of the more subtle differences. He explained that in France each region has specific specialities, such as cheese or wine or meat or clocks….and there are extremely regulated ways of preparing each thing, like the cheese of this region needs to come from specific cows etc. Its interesting.

Something else he pointed out was that choices for things in France are much more then in Canada.These aisles is simply the YOGURT section in the grocery store…. just yogurt….

and heres the "canada" section of imported food...which for the record was, pancake mix, maple syrup, cranberries and poutine mix

Snapshot of things I’m loving and am so grateful for:

- All the good Mama time

- Hourly church bells

- Fresh Baguette every day

- Living in a garden trailer 

- Crepe with bacon, goat cheese and honey. I literally could eat this every day for the rest of my life.

Till next week!

Mama I'm going to Ness Creek

This was my second year of whirlwind adventure at the Ness Creek Music Festival. Ness Creek is located in the Boreal Forest in Northern Sask and I was first invited by my lovely Cousin Christine. As I prepared for Ness this year I knew there were a few of my own magic details I wanted to add. Having recently really claimed the title of “Artist” I knew I wanted to make art while attending the festival. Free hand -off the cuff- drawing with a pen has only recently become my style, while I make this kin of art I'm mostly focused on telling a story or capturing my feeling and I'm not overly concerned about what the actual art looks like, but taking a look at everything when its all done, I must say I feel like its all pretty whimsical.

I wont go into all the details regarding every piece but lets take a look and catch what bits and pieces I can.

 

Cover

"The Clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness"

quick fun with hula hoops 

poetic line while looking for fairies 

Inspired by magnet poetry and body positivity

One of the magic things at Ness was it seemed to be that if you were ever looking for or needing someone in our group they seem to appear just as you began to search, on the Friday I was having a time communing with the energy of this dragon carving, and I stood up to fine that, without either of us realizing it, Christine had been standing right behind me at the dragon! 

I had some delightful mint chocolate chip ice cream while watching some music 

This adventure involved some really lovely growth, I had a moment where I really gave myself permission to stop overthinking, to shoo away the pesky crows of thought that were constantly peaking away at me. I think this was one of the first times I was able to really quiet my mind down, the feeling was incredible and one I hope to recreate 

Saturday we visited Nesslin Lake 

I met a friend in the forest who was having a bad time, but after a hug and some art/story sharing he said that he felt a lot better and off he went 

Saturday night is "Fancy Ness" where everyone dresses up, this picture is from when I was watching the band "Shred Kelly" the feeling of the banjo washing over me had me feeling so in love with everyone there

I had a extra rainbow onesie that I knew I wanted to give to someone at Ness, I ended up giving it to a girl with brilliant purple hair named Star-la.

We had some lovely cousin time in Christine's camper van, Harold. 

Some quick photos 

|"The Vantasy is real!" (follow Christne and her van Harold on instagram at @vantastic_lady)

Before heading out I made up a few pieces of art to leave at the forest alter and also for trade, this is my "love to mama earth" piece at the alter 

This is "Dandy" or "Ferris" who traded a story about his friend loosing his one and only car key in the creek for this lovely vagina art. 

This is Sam, who I actually met last year, on the last morning of the festival we had a nice debrief/chat with him about his weekend. He shared such lovely details of his weekend that I decided to give him my last art flag. 

Fancy Cousins

Now on the way home I had a little releasing ceremony for this wee baby whales, as many of you know they were a gift from the last relationship I was in. I loved what they represented but it also felt good to set them free. 

All and all I had a FANTASTIC time, we are already planning our time next year. I am so lucky to get to experience such magic in my life!