~ Toronto Swan Song ~

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Castle WalkLeaving a place can feel a lot like losing a relationship. I came to Toronto in my mid twenties: some 16+ years ago. I love this city for many of her qualities. I will always believe this is one of the greatest cities on earth, in spite of those who perpetrate violence and crime. They are not Toronto… they are misguided souls who happen to reside here.

Just as it’s possible to love more than one person, it’s possible to love more than one place. Prince Edward Island will always be my first home: the first land I loved. Toronto is my second home and leaving is bitter sweet.

So why go? I’ve been asked lots of questions over the past few weeks. Fairly so; after all I decided to move 28 minutes after my plane touched down in Vancouver. It was my first visit there and I was struck by an epiphany: “I’m going to live here.” From that moment I couldn’t stop thinking about how to make it happen.

British Columbia is beautiful. Being a costal gal, I was drawn in by her ocean. The mountains clinched the deal for me. Two of the best things nature offers, sitting there, next to each other. I continued to fall deeper and deeper in love with the place as the days passed. When I left, the missing was intense and it has remained that way.
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DDSometimes we have to take risks that would normally scare the shit out of us. I’m a rational person. I’ve always looked at all sides of the equation before rushing in to large decisions. Not this time. My gut spoke and I’ve ignored every suggestion that this might be a bad idea. It may sound crazy to pack up a life and sell enough stuff to pay to move the stuff I want… but that really was the only plan I had. So far, it’s working smashingly.

Life’s opportunities rarely wait till we can afford them. Sometimes we just have to trust that everything will work out. We have to welcome success and shut out the “what-ifs.” Money is a convenience ~ it should never dictate our lives. For anyone who is thinking: “Easy for you to say,” well, I had $24 to my name when I arrived back in Toronto and announced I was moving to B.C. As for assets: long gone. It doesn’t take long to blow through savings and RRSP’s when one is ill and unemployed for a couple of years. However, I have always trusted that I would be okay and things would work out. So far, there has always been enough to get by. There has always been a roof. I’m extremely lucky and blessed. A little faith goes a long way :)

I was fortunate to have my family visit last week. We toured the city and visited many of the places I love. It was the first time here for my nephews and they had the time of their lives. From the Metro Zoo, to a Blue Jay’s game, to the ROM, Castle Loma, a harbor cruise, the Distillery District, the Eaton Centre, the CN Tower, and on and on… they loved it. I felt blessed (and exhausted) to be able to be a tour guide to MY TOWN one last time. It was the perfect swan song to end one chapter of my life and to bid a proper farewell to a city I love.
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The Dream


The Dream

Originally uploaded by The Pammers

The Dream

This is a print of an original painting made in 2000, following a dream I had.

A male child came to me, he said he was ready to be born. I was going through a divorce at the time and knew I wouldn’t be giving birth. I told the child he was loved and wanted, but couldn’t come home. The dream was very peaceful. An acceptance of a sort.

Five years later I would become a surrogate mother figure to a rotation of boys who ended up living with me, while finding their footing. In total there were 13. Some stayed longer than others. My wish to be a mother fulfilled. I got many boys to love.
Purchase Print: ETSY SHOP

 

Unloved ~ The Painting

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This is a print of an original painting that came together unexpectedly. About nine years ago I started a painting that I never finished. It looked bad; I didn’t like it, yet I couldn’t throw it out. There were a few elements I loved: The cello, the jeans, and the hands.

Originally the piece was going to be titled “Grace” as in graceful. A few months ago I had a thought… I should cut out what I like and toss the rest. So I did. Then I cut that section into pieces and glued it to a bigger canvas. I thought about adding some sheet music to create a theme. I thought maybe, “Amazing Grace.” As I went along painting, that song didn’t suit the flow and energy I got from the painting. When I gave it some thought, the first song that came to mind was: “Unloved,” by Jann Arden. I felt the moodiness and honesty of words and melody fit perfectly with the image.

I went about adding the sheet music for “Unloved.” When it was complete I liked it but there was still something missing. I sent a snap shot to my dear friend, Linda Woods, and said, “what’s missing?” She promptly replied by sending back the image with some of the song lyrics in place. I loved her choice of font, words, and placement; so with her blessing, I added them to finish the piece.

I love how image inspires word, which inspires sound, which inspires art. The fluid nature of creativity allows for an area of life where there truly are no rules. “UNLOVED” is a prime example of one art form giving birth to another.
Many have expressed interest in buying prints. Though flattered, I didn’t feel right listing the print as it contained copy written material. Because the requests continued, I decided to contact Jann and ask for her okay. The words and sheet music on this piece are the sole property of Jann Arden Richards and have been used with her permission. My sincere thanks to Jann for the inspiration and generosity!
To purchase a print, please visit my Etsy Shop: UNLOVED

 

FREEDOM ~ Art, Peace, Friends, Sisters ~

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PhotobucketDuring a recent trip to California Linda Woods, Karen Dinino, and I, finally had the opportunity to meet in person. Which is odd, considering we’ve been in constant contact for five years and also co-authored the book, “Meeting In The Ladies Room,” together (now available in Kindle format).

Linda & Karen are two very talented sisters who create with no boundaries and encourage others to do the same. They have two best selling “how-to” books about journaling and creating personal art: Visual Chronicles & Journal Revolution

PhotobucketWhile crashing with Linda and her fantastic husband, Dustin, we had some time to create a mixed-media canvas together. Though I’ve been painting since I was four-years-old, mixed media is still a tad scary for me. Different mediums and canvass: I have no trouble manipulating; add glue, paper, stamps, tissue, etc., to the equation is something else. I was lucky to have a mixed-media expert showing me her techniques and encouraging me to jump in.

PhotobucketA true collaboration, “FREEDOM,” is a piece represents our lives as well as the storms we all must travel through in order to arrive at our true selves. Freedom brings us home to ourselves when we learn to honour and trust our inner compass. From the moment we began applying paint, paper, and glue, we were on the same track. Creating art with friends is a gift. There’s a trust to take artistic risks and be honest about every element. I’m quickly becoming a big fan of artist collaborations!

For Linda’s take on our project: A Boat Called Freedom.

We’ve received so much feedback that we decided to make prints available in my Etsy Shop.

For those interested in mugs, t-shirts, hats, or bags you can visit HERE!

Images & Words Copyright 2010 Linda Woods & Pamela Detlor

 

Luminato ~ DIVAS ~ Jully Black, Sass Jordan, & Melanie Fiona

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Luminato, Toronto 2010 kicked off in high gear at Dundas Square, with a FREE Concert on Friday night!

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Jully Black

Toronto’s own, JULLY BLACK got things started with her “touch the stratosphere” energy! Younge/Dundas Square was jammed to capacity, with row upon row of overflow filling the sidewalk in front of the Eaton Center. “I see you over there by H&M,” she assured the people across the street.

Her set was fun, mesmerizing, and inspiring. The theme of her performance was about spreading love, believing in self, and being good to each other. “Never listen to anyone tell you, ‘you can’t.’” Listening to Jully sing “Seven Day Fool” “Until I stay” “Queen” & “Running,” will get you moving, yet, seeing her perform these songs live is an experience everybody should have once in life.

PhotobucketVocally her range is wide and flawless. The emotion behind every word is felt. Her sincerity and interaction with the crowd makes you forget you are in a sea of people. The band and back up vocalists were flawless. Jully was perfection as she brought her set to a close punching “through the Glass Ceiling,” while an estimated 1500 – 2000 people joined with fists in the air. “When I say peace, you say love…” “…Peace ~ Love” over and over, is the chant that filled the downtown core as Black surrendered the stage. Head over to http://www.jullyblack.com/ and get acquainted with this phenomenal performer!

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SASS JORDAN

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it until I leave this earth: Sass Jordan delivers one of the best live rock shows on the planet! She’s been kickin’ ass and taking names for 30 years and is as spot on today as she was when I saw her for the first time 22 years ago. Jully Black is a tough act to follow. Sass didn’t just follow… she kept the energy of the night going and took it from pop, dance, R&B, to blow the doors off the hinges Rock~N~Roll!

There’s a reason Sass has shared the stage with, Kiss, Van Halen, The Rolling Stones etc and has sold a million records world wide. That reason: Her voice! She hits notes I didn’t even know existed. Forget the auto-tune pop-divas on the radio; Sass has pitch perfect vocals. She could out-sing those gals with her mouth duct taped shut!

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PhotobucketSass and the band played through some of her impressive roster of songs. Older hits and tracks from the new, classic 70’s rock inspired, “From Dusk Till Dawn.” Which includes the awesome track, “Do What Ya Want.” During “I Want To Believe” the audience sang along with every chorus (some of us to every word). With hits like, “So Hard,” and “Make You A Believer.” The place went ballistic! The band was airtight and bang on with every note. Sass was joined by: Colleen Allen and Carrie Chesnutt a.k.a. “The Sassettes” on sax and harmonies.

Be sure to pop in on Sass at http://www.sassjordan.com/ and buy a copy of “From Dusk Till Dawn.”

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MELANIE FIONA

Toronto native Melanie Fiona rounded out the night with a return to some high voltage pop, R&B, dance music. Melanie is currently on tour with Alicia Keys but took a break to come home for the DIVA night!

She started the set with her hits “Bang Bang” and “Give It To Me Right.” She and her backup dancers/vocalists put on a performance reminiscent of the “Ike & Tina Review.” Those ladies were on fire! The band accompanying Melanie was as flawless as all the musicians on stage, before them.

PhotobucketThe refreshing thing about Melanie: The GAL can actually sing! In this new generation of manufactured acts and tweaked sound, it is difficult to know WHO, of this new generation of performers, actually has the chops to play LIVE in front of a live audience. I didn’t know what to expect outside of the videos and radio but within 10 seconds of her first song, I was giving props! If you are not familiar with Melanie’s music, treat yourself right away: http://www.melaniefiona.com/

PhotobucketLuminato Festival Toronto 2010 runs until June 20th, there are still tickets available to many of the arts and creativity events, as well as more free events. For all the details head to the official Luminato site: http://www.luminato.com/2010/

 
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