Durant Illusions Gallery of Artists: Karen Durant

Showing posts with label Karen Durant. Show all posts

Saturday, April 11, 2015

The Five of Us

Steve Fultz on guitar, Karen Durant, Jackie Rudsvick, Mimi Kim, Joyce Taguchi, at Mimi's Tearoom March 26, 2015.

April 10th "River Talk" www.enderbyrivertalk.com finally came out and this is the picture on page 13 that Jette Russell took. Thank you Jette what a great picture of the five of us!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Ideas flit around my head, popping up unannounced, expecting me to do something about it. I take them in and roll them around my head, evaluate their necessity or if I need a ladder to get it done. In my life before epilepsy I could pounce on each idea with a reassurance that I would be able to do this. At least in my mind I don't need a chaperon to take me there. The writing I love has been minimal, it's in there just give it time, it could come in abundance. When the weeds are shouting, their love for the garden and the sun beckons you into it's warmth, I will leave the confines of this house and roam the garden, taking in the pleasures of scent, color, taste and the intricate patterns of nature. Then again I might just sit down and read a book, which insights more ideas, and regrets that I push away. How much can I let go?

On my trip to Trout Lake I collected rocks, this is a small 4" x 4" canvas, inspired by Sheila Peter's Facebook profile. I'm also reading her new book "Shafted" a mystery.

I Have been busy with new art projects, Enderby has been busy too, with some wonderful new art around town.

Another 4" x 4" canvas, reminiscent of Pete's boat "Constant Virtue" "Connie" for short.

The Enderby downtown breeze way has had a major lift of color and whimsy, you must check it out. This is Todd McCormac the artist hired by the Arts Council to do the make over of the breeze way. I love how the butterfly has fluttered softly through his head.

This is at the skate board park, if it says something it is beyond me but it looks great, well done!

The Girl Guides of Canada were happy to swamp Enderby this summer, more than doubling the population. Heather was hired to help the girls paint the building that houses the washrooms etc, Thank you Girl Guides for the amazing visit, if I could just inspire you to change your cookie receipt to no chemicals, GMO's and all organic.

The birds didn't want to be outdone and left and artfully dropped "Yin and Yang".

I finally finished my Creature from a dream. I'm hoping that when I look at it next I don't see another touch up.

My latest 4" x 4" canvas, abstract "Heart Attack".

It is good to pause, step back from progress, do I go straight, do I meander left or right? Day dreaming is a good tool, and I love what it brings, even if it doesn't suit me. Let it in, let it out, stomp on it, embrace it, give it the juice it needs to unfold and give you what you need to live.

Works in progress, if the table isn't a mess, nothing it being created. Where does sewing fit on this table?

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The Voice

Meditating on the sofa at 3 am, I think of my life as being fickle with mediums of various forms. I miss writing this blog, but lately I have felt the need to sing. Music is the silver thread that is woven through my life, starting with my first three months of life, crying at the top of my lungs, keeping the neighbors awake, making my young mother crazy with little sleep. Did I want to be here, was I scared, maybe I was just strengthening my lungs, what better way to get ready for singing? Singing encompasses the whole brain, if I sing everyday will I stop having seizures?

Fathers day has come and gone, Fathers Day, Sunday, June 15th, 2014 I sang for Dad, myself and my friends. Dad has been gone ten years now, he was my singing inspiration, I loved the concerts he performed with "The King's Men" a male chorus group in Cincinnati. I don't know if they still exist, that was in the 60's and 70's.

Balkan Chorus left to right Cathy, Mimi, Hillary, Dianne, Jean, Karen and Michelle. Gretchen and Sue were not able to be there. The banner in the back ground says 10th but it was the 13th Peony Tea.

Fathers Day was the 13th annual Peony Tea at the Curly Willow Farm in Grindrod BC. I have been singing with a women's Balkan Chorus, haunting rhythmic a cappella melodies, sizzling around tongue twisting lyrics. I felt honored to be able to sing a solo, in "Joc De Laegane, thank you for the opportunity to sing out.

The "Peony Tea" is a fundraiser for "Runaway Moon Theater" click here to get to the web site for more info and what "Runaway Moon" is doing for the future. Many exciting and interesting projects to come. Also performing at the Tea was Mimi and her mellifluous voice, Murray MacDonald, Zampopo Flores, and Steve Fultz. The desserts were delicious, I had Dianne's cheese cake with walnuts, yummmmmm.

Cat, taking donations and handing out scissors to cut the Peonies.

The field of Peonies, the heavy rain the night before spilled some of the peonies to the ground, but there was still enough for all to take home and enjoy an arm load of soft petaled delicate scented peonies.

In the puppet museum this guy stole my attention, with his mischievous, toothless grin.

"June Pole" coordinating the excited and colorful patrons.

Music for the "June Pole" Thanks to Michelle and the rhythm section.

My question is, after 13 years of the Peony Tea why is there still a mud puddle in the middle of it all? Sloshing through the mud of life, Surrounded by the sweet smell of flowers and cake, the sounds of mosquitoes buzzing, energetic rhythmic vocals and guitars, the sights of vibrant swirling colors, energizing the mud that makes us stronger.

Monday, December 31, 2012

Enchanting Night Sky

Last night I wished to lay under the beautiful night sky. Surrounded by pink river mist with a full moon waning. The trees were thick with frosted snow, majestic against the clear night sky, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and stars bright, enchanting night sky. A sky to wish upon.
A new year is approaching, I wish for the best year yet, many milestones, anniversaries, birthdays, much to celebrate in 2013. Much to prepare.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

2012

It has been a year of visiting with family and friends, helping others, protesting, creative and destructive accomplishments.

I started out the year with a visit to Mom in Cincinnati, leaving the boys Steve and Mattie home to fend for themselves. Jessica was also visiting so Mom had a birthday with all her kids. I think Mom was the oldest kid at the restaurant in her pink, sketchers, with the white side walls, and plastic gems that light up with every stomp, a peace sign on the tongue and no shoe laces. She wore them everywhere we went and stomped in front of anyone till they noticed and she laughed. It was a lot of fun till she tried stomping her foot on the dash board of the car as we were over taking a police car, those shoes light up just like a police cruiser.

In the spring we had a great deal of flooding in BC. Steve and I are volunteers with North Okanagan Emergency Social Services or ESS. We were called to help the team in Sicamous an hours drive north of Enderby. Whole neighborhoods were evacuated. People vacationing on rented house boats lost their cars and had no way to return home; pet’s had to be cared for. ESS gives people care for three days, hotel, food, clothing if need be. Steve filled out forms and I took care of pets as they arrived. People came in bus loads all day. We have been on call through out the year. Last week all the teams and volunteers were honored at a dinner and given certificates of recognition.

To our ever annoyance our large back deck had to go. (Destructive accomplishment) As Steve removed it in stages we saw just how bad it was and how the rot was covered up making the porch unsafe to walk on. It was a big job, now we have a much smaller but safe porch built properly , it just needs the rails . Steve works on the porch when he doesn’t have work that pays, it so happened that when the weather was beautiful for working outside Steve had work (He works in the basement using his computer to design roof trusses) but when the weather was rainy and gross he had no paying work.

Another project of Steve’s was the gate made out of branches from trimming the trees in our yard, he also built a small fence of branches. This inspired me to built a deer of branches for the front yard , it goes nicely with the fence and gate.

It took two years to repair and paint our large straw bale fences. To me they are an open canvas and it took the two years to decide on what to paint on the wall. Wanting to bring awareness to the declining wild Salmon, due to fish farms, I painted life size wild Salmon on the fences. Don’t eat farmed fish please, unless they are raised in-land and not on the ocean.

I finished my first Competent communication Manuel in Toastmasters, giving 11 speeches. I now have two advanced manuals, I chose “The Entertaining Speaker” and “Humorously Speaking” . I have now given 13 speeches.

I hope this finds you well. May the new year be happy, healthy and prosperous for you and yours.

All our best to you

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Karen Durant For Enderby Council What Are People Saying About Her

November 19TH is voting day in Enderby and many Municipalities across BC

I will be running for one of the 6 seat on Enderby Council, with 8 other nominee's.

My vision is to see a Healthy, Clean, Safe and Vibrant Community.

Please use your democratic right as a citizen to VOTE!

So much going on in this picture, do you see the vibrant art community? Do you see the renovations of the downtown businesses. Do you see the trees that line the streets giving shade on a hot day, and holding the rain so vital to life.

I am naturally curious and want to know how people see me, so I asked, this is what they have to say. Some of them you will know others are friends from long ago.

"Karen Durant brings to Enderby the best of "green" living aspirations combined with practical business experience.

Consider Karen for Good Sense, Smart Cents governance."

Greig Crockett, Retired Lawyer

I found Karen to be a very organized individual who was able to motivate others.
She was open to new ideas, shared her own opinions in an easy-going way and avoided criticism of others.
In my opinion Karen would make an excellent councillor because of both her past experiences, and her ability to work with people in a respectful manner.

-- Regina Dalton, Abbotsford (accounts clerk, property manager)

Karen Durant will bring insight, passion and creativity to a council that is looking to find solutions for community problems. Her awareness of political, environmental and social issues derives from years of experience …. and her individual passion for keeping current on what issues are affecting the world on small and large scale. This awareness provides the landscape on which she acts for her community. Karen has a great big heart that drives her immense capacity to act for people.

Michelle Nickerson, Wild Salmon advocate

I have had the pleasure of working with Karen on a number of projects and have found her to be well organized competent and a delight to work with. She has the right combination of energy and caring attitude to get things done and done well.

Guy Morazain

In Karen, you the voter, will find a terrific organizer. And to be an organizer requires listening, planning and finishing; just what council needs.

Brian Lussin , Teacher Store Front School

I admire Karen for her courage and good-humour in the face of difficulties. Her honest respect for others enables her to speak out in a way that builds community and facilitates creative solutions.

Sue Staehli

Director of Finance and Programs

I enjoy working with Karen because she is good at organizing, is friendly with a positive attitude and understands co-operation. She has good ideas, is creative, with a strong sense of community and a broad vision.

Diana Muir [retired Community Nurse ]

Karen supports local, earth-friendly enterprises and encourages creative solutions to today’s problems.

-Naomi Fournier, farmer

Monday, January 19, 2009

"Wings" The Show

Snowy Owl, Judy Whyte,wood painted

John Fultz, Wings Heroic, acrylic, gold leaf.

Works by Kristian Adam, Lorena Krause.

Kristian and Judy in her office.

Setting up, Dan Tibbits, John Fultz, Riley Charters.

Steve and Craig after hanging Craigs work. Photography

On Friday the 16th, nine of the thirteen artist of Wings spent six hours hanging the show. The atmosphere was a chaotic, excited frenzy to get the work hung to the best advantage for each piece. We had interesting challenges such as the S hooks were too big for the hanging chain provided, lucky I gave all the hooks and chain from my gallery to my brother in law for his school. I don't know how we would have solved that problem had John not offered the use of his chain and hooks. Another challenge was two step ladders to be shared among us. Only tall people could reach the celling on these short ladders, I would not have been able to hang the show alone with the ladder the gallery has. The effort paid off and we were pleased with the flow of diverse creativity spanning the walls of Kariton Gallery. The last one to leave, I was exhausted as I walked to the car. Glancing over my shoulder to the lake I saw a shooting star streaking to earth through the trees. I stopped briefly to reflect on the auspicious nature of a shooting star on this night.

Snowy owl, Judy Whyte, Glass bust, Lorena Krause, Leucorrhinia Borealis, lamp, Karen Durant, Lorena paintings oil on wood, Pantala costum Karen Durant.

Sunday January 18 opening day

Baraa Safaa Ali

Wow what a show , people started trickling in at noon we were still setting up the tables of food and drink, the musicians were tuning up and the piano was plugged in. The ambiance was a thrilled excitement of artist, friends, family and the public. They filled the rooms with smiles of interest and awe, proud and thankful to be sharing this day with such a group of talented artist.

April Solomon, oil.

Brandon Schultz untitled multi medium priced to a good home

Research, oil, Daneil Tibbits

Daniel Tibbits

The Golden Stone, oil, Daniel Tibbits

Works of Riley Charters, Brandon Schultz

These are some of the comments written in the book; Inspiring, Great, Enjoyed the art thanks, wonderful show, Great show, Beautiful a treat worth exploring, Very interesting, I love you guys your art rocks, this is all so touching and is so lovely, Great job, love the music.