What is Art?

There was a post on an ATC group that I belong to this morning that really irked me. A new member posted the photo below with this comment…’I am not a real artist but I love to recycle and am enjoying making things with my many vintage playing cards.’

I came right back with my own comment…’ Excuse me for disagreeing with you, but you ARE an artist! If you create art (ARTIST Trading Cards) you are an artist. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.’

She came back with, ‘So sweet! You just made my day.’

To which I replied, ‘Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Keep up the good work!’

It upsets me imagining how many people around her have tried to discourage her and have told her that what she does, and enjoys doing, is not ‘real art’. I agree with the old saying, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all’.

It got me to thinking about what the meaning of ‘art’ is. What I found was that there's no universal definition of art, though a consensus has emerged that art is the conscious creation of something beautiful or meaningful using skill and imagination.

Yes, this lovely lady certainly accomplished that in my opinion. She used materials that may otherwise have gone to the trash or recycling bin and created art. That is not something that everyone can or will do. I applaud her for her efforts and for the courage to post about it on that group page in spite of what others were saying to her.

NOTE: The last two images are ATCs that I have made in the last year.

Trip to the Craft Store

There used to me a number of good craft stores in my area in years past. Who remembers Lewiscraft and White Rose?

Lewiscraft was a Canadian craft supply store chain that operated from 1913 until it closed in 2007. The store sold a variety of supplies for crafting. Lewiscraft Inc. was founded in Toronto to sell supplies needed to make leather accessories. An expansion in the 1970's pushed the retailer into a variety of other craft goods. Lewiscraft Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection at the beginning of 2006, and closed a number of stores before their fiscal year ended in April. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to stem the mounting losses and by 2007 the last stores were closed.

White Rose Crafts and Nursery Sales Ltd. was a chain of garden and craft stores in Ontario. Alexandre Raab, a French immigrant, founded White Rose in 1956 and opened his first White Rose location in 1957 on Hwy. 7 in Unionville. At its peak, the business had 42 stores across the province. Raab sold White Rose in 1991 when he retired. In 2002, White Rose Crafts and Nursery Sales Ltd. filed for bankruptcy. The business ceased operations in 2005.

Michael’s opened its first Canadian stores in Toronto in 1993. Michael's is an American based chain store that sells arts and crafts, framing, floral arrangements, and wall decor. In addition to a wide selection of arts & crafts and home decor products, Michael’s carries a range of seasonal products. The breadth of selection, price, quality of merchandise, availability of product, and customer service was above and beyond either Lewiscraft or White Rose.

I believe this is what ultimately led to the downfall of these Canadian retailers. In recent years, however, things have changed dramatically. More times than I can count, I've gone to Michael’s looking for something specific (that I know they used to carry) and left empty handed. And prices have skyrocketed on the products they do carry. It's very unfortunate and disappointing. I basically will only buy something there now with a coupon, and even then I know I'm paying too much. The after season clearance sale prices are not bad, but selection at the point is very minimal.

And today, once again, I could not find the ONE thing I was looking for and came home and ordered it from Amazon. I wonder why I even wasted my time going there.

Falling is a Bad Idea

In fact, falling is a REALLY bad idea especially at my age. Honestly, I do not recommend it to anyone, no matter how old or young you are. The repercussions down the road can be quite unpleasant. But that is exactly what I did this morning and I am suffering for not paying more attention to where I was walking.

So, as a reminder to myself, and as a warning to everyone else, I have compiled a list of suggestions to help you avoid falls.

• Get non-slip mats in the shower and tub. • Install grab bars in the shower or tub and by the toilet. • Install handrails on both sides of stairs. • Keep walkways and steps well lit. • Reduce clutter. Get rid of loose wires, cords and other obstacles. • Repair loose floorboards and carpet. Scatter mats are tripping hazards. • Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach locations. • Mop up spills immediately. • Use assistive devices like a cane or walker, if required. • Use a bath seat in the shower. • Wear rubber soled shoes on bare wood or tiled floors. • Have good lighting throughout the house and install nightlights.

Believe me when I say, falling is a bad idea. Take the necessary precautions to avoid it. You'll be glad you did.

Down Memory Lane

It was in November 1958 that it was first announced in the local newspaper that Woolworth was coming to town. (That’s the year that my parents and I moved into our house in Richmond Hill.) The modern and brand new Woolworth’s store that opened on Yonge Street just south of Centre Street in 1959 had just over 10,000 sq. ft. of space, and included a lunch counter with 30 stools.

This store was a significant fixture during my childhood because when I was old enough, my mother would allow me to go there on my own. That was only place in 'downtown' Richmond Hill I was able to go without one of my parents. You see, the Woolworth’s store, while having a storefront on Yonge Street, also had a back entrance from a quiet residential street. I would go with my brother or a friend and we could leave our bicycles in the back parking lot while we went up the stairs and into the store. We were not allowed on a ‘busy’ road like Yonge Street. Compared to the 1960s, traffic through town these days is a nightmare. We could never have imagined it at the time though.

Woolworth's eventually closed in Richmond Hill in the summer of 1971 but I still have fond memories of my excursions there.

Making Backgrounds

I love making backgrounds for my artist trading cards. I use a gel plate and acrylic paint, along with various mark making tools like bubble wrap. I recently watched a video on YouTube where an artist suggested thinking outside of the box when it comes to mark making tools. He told us to look at things you would normally throw out or put in your recycling bin that could make interesting designs on your backgrounds.

So that is exactly what I did today. I found a plastic tray the came with hamburger in it, another plastic tray that my gluten free bread is sold in and a couple of handles cut off of reusable shopping bags. Never before would it have occurred to me to use these items as mark making tools. And I wasn’t really looking that hard. I now have a new way of looking at things that would otherwise be discarded without a second thought.

Let’s be honest here, I don’t really ‘need’ any more backgrounds right now. There are about 100 in my binder all ready to go. I may, in fact, have to give away some of the backgrounds I have made to other artists to use. Mostly because I’m anxious to see how these new tools work but also so that I have a new selection to choose from when I am making my ATCs.

I only ended up using the bottom of the two plastic trays this time and I really did get some interesting results. As always, some turned out better than others. Some I don’t like at all but a friend reminded me that sometimes the backgrounds I think are ‘ugly’ turn out to be the best once die cuts and other embellishments are added. For better or worse, here they are…

Halloween Howl

I love Halloween, it’s my favourite holiday! For many years, I hosted an artist trading card (ATC) swap called Halloween Howl. At first it was on SwapBot, then through a Facebook group more recently. For those who don’t know, an ATC is a miniature piece of art that is 2.5” X 3.5”, the size of a standard collectible baseball/hockey card. ATCs will fit in the same 9 pocket sleeve pages made for those.

Each participant would make 31 different and unique cards for the swap. The ATCs were sealed in individual envelopes and numbered 1 to 31. They were then shipped to their partner by mid September. Starting on October 1st, you would begin opening the cards, one each day for the whole month. Lots of fun! We would share photos of what we received in the Facebook group. I got a lot of ideas and inspiration looking at the work of others.

This swap was not for everyone. It was a big commitment. When we started, there were about 30 participants but as the years progressed and interest waned the numbers dwindled down to only 9 people last year. I decided it was no longer viable to continue in 2025. It had a good run but I was very sad to see it end.

A friend in the U.S. reached out to me after I announced the end of the yearly swap to ask if I would be interested in doing a private Halloween swap with her this year. Yes, I am! We are sending three ATCs per month starting in January (4 in October) for a total of 31 cards. We have agreed not to begin opening them until October 1st, like before. I’m putting mine into a small tin as they arrive so they don’t get misplaced before the appointed time.

As always, anticipation is half the fun. In October I will share the ones that I made for her along with the ones I receive. The pictures you see here are the set that I created in 2023 for my partner that year. I’m so happy that I can continue to have Halloween Howl fun this year!

Pain Management

Several people have asked me how I do it. How do I keep smiling and positive through the pain? Honestly, it’s not always easy. In fact, some day it’s near impossible. On those days I have a number of strategies that help me get through.

Reader’s Digest had it right. ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’. And that is so true. There is nothing like a good belly laugh to break the cycle of pain in your brain. Therefore, I try to inject humour wherever and whenever I can and I really appreciate others who can do that too.

I remember a time that I was chatting online with a friend. It was a particularly bad day. I typed that I wanted to chop off my leg! This girl did not miss a beat. She told me to do it in the bathtub and make sure I put down a drop cloth to keep the blood contained. The thought of actually doing that was so absolutely ridiculous that I burst out laughing. That’s all it took to break the cycle of pain in that moment. It didn’t seem quite so bad after that.

The main key to pain management is to keep your mind occupied with something other than the pain. I’ve been known to randomly recite nursery rhymes and hum or sing little bits of obscure songs. One day a co-worker asked me if I realized what I was humming. I had to stop and think about it for a second before I realized it was ‘It Ain’t Easy to be Green’ by Kermit the Frog. Seriously, I could not make this up.

Having a hobby you enjoy can be a great escape from ‘reality’. For me, it is paper crafting. I make artist trading cards, junk journals, greeting cards, tags, etc. many of them to swap with friends. It takes a lot of my concentration and puts me in the ‘Zone’ where everything else falls to the background including the pain. And getting ‘happy mail’ from a friend will make the world a better place every time.

Since I’m still working full-time that keeps my mind active from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’m entering orders, talking to customers and solving problems as they arise. All these things keep me going when others would simply give up but I refuse to let ‘it’ defeat me.

Like I said before, it is not always easy but along with the medication prescribed by my doctor and occasionally my trusty heating pad, I manage to live my best life in difficult circumstances. You can do it too. I try to remember that there are people in this world in worse places or situations than me. I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear and food in my belly. I’m gainfully employed, have friends to support me and a family always willing to help me. I’m very blessed.

I Do Not Like Pain

It hurts. Some days it hurts a LOT! It hurts to stand. It hurts to sit. It hurts to walk. (There is no running anymore.) It hurts to get into bed. It hurts to get out of bed. It hurts to BE in bed. My younger self could never have imagined this level of pain.

I’m not telling you all this to gain sympathy or make you feel sorry for me. I only want to pass along a bit of wisdom and advice that I’ve learned on this journey. I hope it helps you on yours.

As you get older, you tend to think that you can do all the things you could do when you were young. That is a huge fallacy! Yet you keep pushing yourself anyway. Let me reassure you that doing that is a BAD idea! You are only making things worse for yourself. Listen to the clues your body is giving you. Heed the warning signs before it is too late. Don’t be stubborn like I was.

I fell way too many times before I would admit to myself that maybe I should use the walker that had been sitting in my car virtually unused for a couple of years. I had to come to the understanding that it was not admitting defeat but an acknowledgement that I have limitations. It’s a reality that I’ve had to accept and adapt to whether I like it or not.

Here is another vital lesson that took a while to sink in. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it. This was a tough one for me as I’ve always been a fairly independent person. I would struggle away on my own, typically hurting myself more for my efforts. Now I ask for help more than I might like to but I know it is the best course of action. It’s not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.

People who knew better than me kept telling me that 90% of pain management is in your head. I’ve come to realize how true that statement is. It’s how you ‘frame it’ in your mind. I could be miserable and cantankerous every single day but that will not make things better for me. And it certainly would be unpleasant for all those around me too. I had to decide who wins this battle, me or the pain? The answer is clear…ME. I choose to be happy in spite of it.

Drugs and alcohol might provide temporary respite but that is a slippery slope to get on. The more you take, the more you need to get the same level relief. It’s a losing battle. Learn to live your best life even in the face of constant pain. It’s possible, believe me. Take your prescribed medication as instructed by your doctor, nothing more. And one final bit of advice. Don’t try to be a hero. You are not doing yourself any favours.