Don't you just love this time of year? Here in Norway, everything is starting to come alive again after a long and cold winter. The trees are budding, the bees are buzzing and the birds are chirping. I just love it!
I enjoy being out in the yard this time of year clearing away dead bush and making way for new things to come.
I also have a feeling of renewal for AMMO Artworks this Spring. There are plenty of new art projects and new art shows in the works.
ART APPRECIATION EVENTS:
I'm about to host my second Art Appreciation Party this week. I held one on April 12th when I was home in Newfoundland and had over 60 people attend. It was so wonderful to say thank you in person for all the support I've received there, and to also make some new friends and announce some new projects.
While I don't know as many people here in Norway, I do have some strong supporters and many others that are curious and interested in what I am trying to accomplish with my work. I'm really looking forward to showing my gratitude and launching several new projects on Thursday, May 3rd. So if you're in Tønsberg area and are reading this, please drop by Veivisersen Behandlingssenter (Stenarmen 3A) from 19.00-21.00. I'd love to see you.
SONG SERIES:
While home in Newfoundland, I secured space at the Arts & Culture Centre Arts Gallery (St. John's) for Sept 7th and 8th. I'm very excited to bring this performance exhibition back home to Canada.
The "Song Series" is a special type of exhibition where I have taken 10 of my original songs and created an image for each one. The show will consist of telling the story behind each song, some of which were written over 20 years ago, then performing the song and unveiling the painting by explaining its symbolism and meaning. Creating this series was a very interesting journey for me given the different emotions generated when writing the songs so long ago, and now creating a painting that reflects deeper understanding many years later.
I'm very excited to share this show with the world, so I was more than a little disappointed to learn just a few days ago that the venue I had lined up for my "Song Series" Performance Exhibition in June here in Tønsberg have decided to NOT open this season. This means that I'm left searching for a new venue.
As with most things in life, necessity breeds creativity. Therefore I've come up with what I hope is a creative solution that will help me to achieve my objective of gaining more exposure here in Norway.
Instead of doing just one Exhibition Performance, I'm going to do several shows. I've approached two new cafe/lounge establishments in Tønsberg that are interested in booking me (dates to be announced). As well, I've secured a stage slot at the "Kulturkræsj" (International Cultural Festival) happening in Sandefjord on Saturday, June 9th. Additionally, I am currently taking bookings to perform the "Song Series" in private home settings.
House Concerts are very popular in Newfoundland, and for good reason. They are a great alternative to a regular 'house party' or 'dinner party' and they provide a very entertaining evening for the host and their friends. House Concerts are considered as special VIP exclusive-type events which adds to their popularity. You choose the guests, set out the chairs and the artist comes and performs.
These type events are an opportunity for the artist to open up about their creative process to an attentive audience, as well as an opportunity for the audience to interact with the artist in an up-close and personal setting. The host provides the space and seating for 20 or so of their invited friends. Guests bring their own choice of drink, if they choose. A small fee per person is collected and given to the artist, or alternatively a set fee is agreed upon between host and artist. The artist shows up and performs a 2-hour show for guests. (Arrangements may also be made for an extended performance of cover songs once the 'Song Series" is completed.)
The "Song Series" brings together both art and music to create a very special 'story-telling show' which can be both entertaining and insightful. Both my music and my art have underlying messages of overcoming adversities and they help to inspire others to do the same.
Please send me a message if you are interested in finding out more about booking a "Song Series" House Concert.
SELF-WORTH PORTRAITS (SWP's)
Self-worth portraits are not paintings of a person's face. Rather, they are paintings that reflect a person's highest self-worth or belief in themselves.
SWP's are a new offering by AMMO Artworks. Through a short interview process and a guided visioning exercise, I gather information to create a painting that is uniquely YOU and that reflects your highest feeling of self-worth. The painting serves as a meaningful symbol of your true essence and capacity to achieve all your hopes and dreams. It is a reminder that if you believe in yourself, then you can and you will live a happy and successful life.
I have tested this business prototype with three different clients, and all have been deeply touched by both the process and their unique painting. Therefore, I now feel confident enough in my own ability to produce this kind of work, so I am promoting this new offering to anyone that may be interested.
Self-Worth Portraits are very empowering for the recipients that receive them either as a painting they have commissioned themselves, or as a unique gift that has been given by a loved one.
My long term goal with this project is to help those that need it, but perhaps could never afford it on their own. I want to work with charities or community groups that service clients who struggle with some sort of adversity because it has been my experience that self-worth and cultivating stronger belief in one's abilities can have tremendous affects not only for that person's life, but also for their community.
Therefore, I am actively seeking organizations that would like to incorporate this project into the empowerment services they provide for clients. As a former Fund Development Professional for over a decade, I am willing to work closely with an organization to build a case for support (funding proposal) to present to a corporate sponsor.
To use an old adage to make my point - if a corporate sponsor were to fund such a program for clients being served by an organization, they would be 'teaching the client how to fish' rather than just 'giving them a fish'. Helping people to cultivate stronger self-worth and self belief, results in stronger and happier contributing members of society.
This is my dream of how I want to help other through my art.
If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about Self-Worth Portraits, please send me an email.
