I’m honestly not sure if I’m just writing here for myself now, or if everyone has left the building. I’m not even going to apologize for being quiet here for some time – there has been a lot going on in life. I’m hoping to rekindle this blog as I think I have a few things to say and as always, it’s about passing along learnings, knowledge and sharing. So …deep breath, here goes.
The Big Move to the Great White North
2022-2023 brought some traumatic changes to our family. Our landlord of almost 20 years decided they’d jump on the Canmore bandwagon and almost doubled our rent. I mean really…that’s a little greedy, don’t you think? Aside from the moral issues I have with this, we simply could not afford it on an artist and carpenter’s wages. The home and community where we brought up our children is no more. I believe we had the ‘best’ of Canmore. It’s crowded, overbuilt, dangerous (only one way in and out should a fire occur), and greed seems to be the motive of the day. Yes, it’s beautiful. Yes, we have friends there. Yes, it was our home. Is it worth twice what we were paying? Hell no.
I guess you can gather that it was a painful decision for us. We were settled – there was no where else to find a place. Occupancy levels are out of sight and affordable community housing is years away from where it should be to provide homes for those of us that live and work in the community.
We looked everywhere – southern Alberta – nada. Our son recommended that we start looking in and around Edmonton, and so we did. In a ridiculous market, we raced back and forth for months trying to secure a home in our price range and that wasn’t a wreck – and I mean….a wreck! We looked at some places that were literally dangerously in bad repair. Placing over 7 competing, multiple over-sticker-price offers on 6 different homes/acreages we were finally lucky enough to land on our feet in….well, the middle of farm country, north of Edmonton. We actually purchased the 11.25 acre farm ‘sight unseen’ in a race to beat out other bids. It’s a credit to our hardworking real estate agent Cam Fisk who doggedly put our interests first and found us a home. If you’re looking for a home in Edmonton or area, do not hesitate to call him. He’s incredible.
Our nearest village is more than 15 km away on a gravel road and our nearest town is a 25 minute drive. I wouldn’t say we’re isolated, but it’s definitely quiet, and I love that. Certainly not the blaring horns, lineups, parking issues, and supply issues that Canmore has become.
We know we’re not the only ones that have been economically evicted from our home in Canmore. Friends have scattered across the country and to different provinces in the search for ‘home’.
As I sit here writing this morning in the wee cold and dark hours of a Northern Alberta morning, I’m reminded that despite the challenges and heartbreak of this move and how incredibly difficult it was on our children (grown and almost grown), we are remarkably blessed and so lucky to be here. Honestly, this place is what I’ve longed for all my life and it is “Home”.
I continue to serve as the “Teaching Artist In Residence” for Banff Center for Arts & Creativity with a healthy following of artist/students who want to learn how to draw, and I teach online from the comfort of my farmhouse. I’m considering some in-person workshops here for the spring, summer and fall of 2024, so be sure to sign up to my newsletter to receive advance information on these.
Time at the easel has been limited. Between the move, teaching and settling down – getting kids organized, off to university and off into the world; several deeply cutting deaths of close family members and friends and figuring which way is up at the farm and in our new community – well, that’s a full plate for more than one person! I’m going to forgive myself for ignoring this blog for awhile and not being able to get ‘down to painting’. It’s been a sickening ride to tell the truth. Everything is not okay all the time – life is tough and I believe that in sharing our stories, we share the sorrow and the joy and the balance of what it means to be a full time human being.
That’s pretty much all the bad stuff for now – mentally I’m feeling mostly ‘shiny side up’ going into the dark winter days and physically I’m most definitely feeling my age. Everything aside, I wanted to reach out to you, Dear Readers…and let you know where I’ve been and what artful things might be coming up soon.
Our farm has a website, and you can read all about our flower farm stuff at FlowerMoonFarm.ca. You’ll find the in-person workshops available there…when I get them up and running.
I’d appreciate a follow on Instagram at @therealflowermoonfarm
That’s all for now – the easel is calling.
