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Now that we are well into autumn, and the Thanksgiving turkey has been savoured, I thought it was time to let you know what I’ve been up to.
 Spring – Paris Sojourn
Paris is a city that seems to captivate people at all stages of love and life. This spring, I experienced Paris on a shoestring while staying with friends Rita and Tom in a lively, authentic Parisian neighbourhood. Live music could be heard wafting out from little hole-in-the-wall cafes and restaurants and enticing displays of fresh produce, meat, fish, artisan cheese and bread were always part of the local streetscape.
My stay in Paris coincided with a studio tour, much like our own local artists’ tours. This was an opportunity to explore off the beaten path. In my wanderings, I was intrigued to find a ceramic artist, showing her work on the 4th floor of an apartment building. Although her working studio was  elsewhere, the charming, winding staircase that led to her show room, underscored the physicalchallenges that all artists have to face on a practical level while pursuing their creativity.
I managed to visit all the important museums and look until my eyes crossed and my feet were weary. I explored churches and stood in awe of the most beautiful stained-glass windows I’ve seen to date. Monet’s garden at Giverny was a sight to behold and now his paintings hold much more meaning for me.
I also spent 3 days on Ile de Re, a small island off the west coast of France. With the hustle and bustle of urban Paris a world away, I relaxed into a leisurely pace of cycling and beachcombing, revelling in the feel of the fresh, windy salt air blowing on my face.
Summer – Hamilton and Points West
Upon returning home with my Paris memories, I began a busy summer of concentrating on my studio work and teaching at Dundas Valley School of Art. My husband and I had a short trip to British Columbia’s Okanogan Valley to spend time with our son
before he set off on travels across Europe, by bike, with his girlfriend and another friend. While there, we hiked, climbed mountains, and canoed. Of course, we were diligent in keeping a balance by fortifying ourselves with lovely meals and delicious BC wines.
Our last night was spent near the top of Apex Mountain. Mother Nature pulled out all the stops and amazed us with an exciting show that included lightning, a hailstorm, the Milky Way and shooting stars all in quick succession. It was a perfect ending to our week in B.C.
autumn – dvsa show + website
Back in my real world, I’m currently preparing work for a solo show at the Dundas Valley School of Art Gallery from November 16 to Dec 5, opening on Thursday, November 19 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Inspiration derived from viewing museum pieces may be evident in the new work. Invitations will be forthcoming.
Last but not least – I am informing you of the launch of my website: www.catherineweir.ca. Here you will find information about my work and process. Please view it and enjoy.
Warm regards to all,
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