“There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.”
― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
On Thursday 12 May I will be opening an exhibition for photographer Kate Quinn in Ardkeen Hospital as part of the Healing Arts Trust project. At the same time some of my own work will be shown in a group exhibition called Lens Flare in Central Arts in Waterford City. I’m not sure which is more unsettling, showing my work in public or speaking in public! Both are fairly daunting.
Last week I met Kate to learn more about her story. We talked about dealing with life struggles and everything that we love about photography. I have been using the term “contemplative” to describe my photography and I found that Kate and I had similar experiences of the flow state, of elevation, of the new perspectives that observation and paying attention to nature can bring. While Kate is exploring her own dialysis experiences through her art, she invites all of us to ponder bigger questions about life and meaning. You will all be welcome to attend in Ardkeen Hospital, Waterford, at 6PM on May 12th or to drop in anytime to see this beautiful and thought provoking work.
Meanwhile Lens Flare is also opening in Central Arts on May 12th until June 9th. If you are passing by drop in and have a look at some work from my Squarefulness Collection.
And finally in this unusually newsy post I have a wonderful gift for one of you this week. The Inky Path “Mother May I” Master Class in Writing commences on May 16th. “The program is rich enough to inspire your muse and get you to enjoy writing your “mother stories” and short enough to preclude overwhelm. If you like writing, storytelling, and creative field trips down memory lane, we’re sure you’ll find this class delightful.”
The two wonderful guides of this adventure, Cigdem and Jena have offered a complimentary seat in this online programme worth 99 dollars for one of YOU! Leave a comment on this post, and I will draw a name at random, at 5 PM on Saturday 14th May. I will post the lucky winner’s name here that evening.
Wishing you a very calm……..Good luck!
Best of luck on both counts! Delighted you have a wee exhibition – people deserve to see what you capture through your lens!
Thank you Mary! The beauty of the internet is having a little exhibition every week on my blog!! Different matter altogether facing the music in the flesh!!
What wonderful news Catherine…congrats and good luck on these exhibition and talk….and thanks for the giveaway…they are wonderful guides to help with writing stories.
Delighted to see your name here Donna! Doesn’t it look like a dream of an adventure working with those two!!
Lots of excitement for you! and I got so excited when that big, beautiful image of sea and sky came up!
And sooooo calm…..which is very much what I need this week……hope it does you good too!
Great news all around! You’ll do well, I’m sure of it 🙂 Interesting course, too!
Great to see your name in the hat S. I’d say we all have a treasure trove of inspiration on this topic!
Hi Catherine,
Beautiful photos… a great big sigh of fresh air! I especially love the bird in flight; it reminded me of how I felt as a teenager reading Jonathan Livingstone Seagull for the first time. If I lived nearer (or could justify another staycation UK break so soon after our trip to Yorkshire) I’d love to see one of your exhibitions and meet you. Till then, I just feel lucky to have your uplifting blog posts arrive in my inbox. (PS It made me smile that you’re a friend of Cigdem’s – she’s one of my favourite online sharers. I love how synchronicity shrinks the world!) Good luck with the exhibition and public speaking; you’ll do brilliantly! Your soul already does public speaking through your photos, words and the quotes you choose.
Lovely to see your name here Janice, thank you for your wonderful support! Yes Cigdem has been a great inspiration to so many creative women for sure.
Congratulations on the two events! Scary but very exciting stuff! I love the photos in your Squarefullness collection, especially the ones that seem to carry a sense of magic — like the first one in the slideshow. It’s so fun seeing my creative friends doing such interesting and inspirational work.
Thanks Maery Rose! Yes the longer we all walk this creative path the more we grow…..and while these things are certainly a bit scary it beats going down the mines as my friend says:~))
Lovely post Catherine. I am looking forward to catching both exhibitions. I love the line used to describe the course ‘short enough to preclude overwhelm’. The potential for overwhelm can often be enough to put us off creative endeavour. So much can be experienced when we brave it. Enjoy your opening & exhibiting. 🙂 Julie
Overwhelm is the perfect word isn’t it. I think we all suffer from too much of that. Would be lovely to see you at either or both? Speaking of overwhelm, can you tell that I have managed to double book myself too!!!
Hello Catherine, Unfortunately, I am too far away to attend either exhibit. I would like to tell you that your contemplative photographs and writing, are (and have been for several years now) beautiful and inspiring. Thank you:) Kathleen
Thank you so much Kathleen! Some day…….
Best of luck…looking forward to the show!
Thanks Clare. As you can probably suss out, I’ve double booked myself but would love to see you at either or both as I leg it between them!! Your name is in the hat too:~))
A bit of galloping about will add to the excitement. Hopefully we’ll catch up and ooo I like being in a hat 🙂
I’m suddenly regretting the whole thing now….as I KNOW you will understand!!
Your photos just inspire
“Peace of Mind ”
A phrase much used without really thinking about it.
I experience it through your photos.
Thanks Pat! It’s a kind of mindfulness practice which is very soothing but of course I don’t always attain the peace of mind that I aspire to…..!! Your name is in the hat too, should be announced this evening at 5PM our time.
Getting caught up from my travels…first CONGRATS on your exhibition! I’m sure it was a great success! Also congrats to the lucky winner of the writing class. Thanks always for sharing what you see and feel!