How lucky can a person get? This is from a workshop in Raleigh NC at the Art of the Carolinas. In the centre of the photo is renowned artist, Linda Kemp doing a demonstration for her lucky pupils in one of her classes. Why am I lucky? She's my sister.  We started taking lessons together when we were 8 and 10 years old. We've both had careers in the art world, but this is the first time since we were little girls that we've had the chance to spend time together. Fabulous conference and I hope we'll be lucky enough to be back again next year. 

What's beyond Niagara?  Once this mighty landmark overflows with water from the upper Great Lakes and northern Ontario, it flows on down through Lake Ontario, out the St. Lawrence and into the Atlantic. Unless it's evaporated by the sun, turned into a cloud that floats - wherever the wind takes it...and drops as rain - wherever the conditions are right.

​What's beyond Niagara?  The world.

What is it that makes an artist 'great'? Some would say their ability to render photographic renditions of life around them.  I disagree.  Some would say their ability to shock, to instruct, to titillate. I disagree. Some would say their ability to sell to collectors, galleries and museums.  I disagree.

Great art comes straight from the heart, and  powerfully connects to someone else. Maud Lewis, crippled by rheumatoid arthritis, unschooled and impoverished was a great artist. She was consumed by a compulsion to joyfully paint her response to the abundant life that surrounded her in Nova Scotia. She painted every inch of her tiny cabin.  She lived without electricity or running water, but not without her painting.

Maud's paintings spring from somewhere deep inside her, and jump out and grab your imagination and your heart. She was a great artist.

The NOTL Writers Circle had its debut at the 2018 Eden Mills Writers Festival on Publisher's Way.  EMWF celebrated it's 30th anniversary, and we were proud to be part of an outstanding event focusing on top Canadian writers.  Who would have predicted we'd need our winter coats when just a few days before the weather was scorchingly hot!  Thanks to Hermine Steinberg and her husband Barry for joining me under the tent to sell our books. 

The West Wind is blowing in a new season.  Autumn is coming.