It’s been a long, creative journey that all started in January 2023 when I was also looking for guidance. I would sit in my living room chair during the Rocky Mountain winter and illustrate 1-4 tarot cards in one evening. Slowly, a theme started to emerge and I began to think bigger – what if I professionally printed this deck to share with others?

Why I Started Drawing Tarot Cards

My first tarot deck was EARTH CHILD by Alyson Davies. I loved the art in her tarot deck and I found that the vibes within the deck were gentle and not spooky. This approach opened my mind to the possibilities of tarot decks for conversations with friends and family AND the knowledge shared by tarot deck creators.

I slowly worked away at drawing the cards and thinking deeply about the message intended by the cards. Coincidentally, I bought “A Little Bit of Tarot” by Cassandra Eason out of curiosity when I was on a trip to New York City (from the famous Books Are Magic bookstore). I also studied the structure of the tarot deck with the book “The Creative Tarot” by Jessa Crispin, who approached the card structure with the structure of storytelling. 

I could see that the tarot deck can be a tool to help us connect with ourselves and each other. It doesn’t have to be serious or spooky – but it can be light-hearted and inspire deep conversations about the mysteries of life.

What’s the point of tarot cards? 

The point of my tarot deck is to inspire connection and bring focus to the knowledge that surrounds us, especially in nature. After a tarot reading, I think we are a little more observant of our surroundings and what is happening in our lives, both big and small. That surely can’t be a bad thing.

The Four Suits

When I looked at the traditional four suits, I decided to shake it up a little bit with my interpretation. Out came these four suits inspired by the art forms of writing, pottery, as well as nature. You will notice a lot of Canmore and Western Canadian animals and landscapes nestled into this deck.

Suit of Wands (Willows): The suit of creativity and inspiration. My favourite suit as I believe in the power of creativity for our individual and collective wellbeing. Willows represent seasonal change – air, bright, new, soft. Being present to what is happening around us. Feeling reinvigorated and inspired by the world!

Suit of Cups (Pottery): Cups is a suit about love and connecting with others. Pottery is that way too. A lot of personality, love, and consideration goes into each piece made by a potter. Each piece is also created to be enjoyed by another person over and over again. Pots tend to outlast the potter, just like love.

Suit of Swords (Pens): In the modern era, I believe that the pen can be a sword. The pen and our intellect can help us work towards a better world. It’s important to say what we mean and do what we say. Acting with intention and integrity makes for a peaceful life.

Suit of Tentacles (Pentacles): The suit of finances and responsibilities. I choose to symbolize Pentacles with Tentacles since responsibilities seem to wrap around us. Responsibilities may feel restrictive but at their best, they can also hold us and protect us to live healthy and safe lives in relation to others.

The Major Arcana

I started drawing the Major Arcana after the four suits. At this point, I would read the title of the card I had to draw, look it up in Eason’s book, and then I would sit until an image came to my mind. There are animals, people, concepts, plants, and landscapes. I fully acknowledge that these images are biased toward my own life experiences and cultural upbringing. But, I hope that perspective makes it fun. 

The Kickstarter

If you are thinking about trying out tarot for yourself (or as a really fun dinner party activity!) – try PLAYFUL BEINGS. It’s light-hearted and a super fun way to have some different conversations with the peeps in your life.

• Joyful Objects
• Small is the New Big
• Virtual Gallery
• Halloween Candy Art
• Self Portrait Collage

I’ve always wanted to be better at collage so I was really looking forward to Self Portraits this week. Here’s mine!

I used my Globe & Mail newspapers from the past two months, two Broken Pencil Magazines, and a Believer issue from this Fall. I don’t want to over explain it but there are little hints throughout that speak to my pandemic experience. My hair is a photo of the Bow Valley, my body is a close-up of a petri-dish. I’ve got waffles and butter by my side. I felt drawn to feature my lungs and intestines. The two books features are ones I haven’t read yet but their covers and titles spoke to me (“Let’s Get Lost: the world’s most stunning remote locations” and “The Wisdom in Your Body“)

My colleagues encouraged me to share this one. Their work is so amazing and leave me feeling inspired. It’s been a pleasure doing these sessions and I think they are really beneficial for the new hybrid/remote workplace.

I also went on a shopping spree of local artists. I felt a little silly about it later but Billy said, “If that’s your coping mechanism, that’s fine. It could be way worse.”

Billy and I got a custom portrait illustrated of us over Zoom by local artist Hamburger Hands. And I’m picking up a new hobby – embroidery! and picked up a kit from a local Edmonton artist, Florals and Floss Embroidery.

But, here’s what I created for Week 3.

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A post shared by Emily Chu (@heyemilychu) on Mar 29, 2020 at 7:08pm PDT

This song from Gene of Bob’s Burgers made me cry laugh on Monday night.

I’m a big fan of the handwritten note. Some say its a dying art but I KNOW there are lots of us out there keeping this intimate and personal way of connecting alive and well.

A well-timed thank you card to a friend, colleague, or family member is incredibly powerful – a gift of self-care and wellness for both yourself and your recipient.

And a hand-written thank you note at work?! What a way to stand out and make your colleagues feel appreciated. For some time, my partner has been looking for a set of masculine or gender-neutral stationary for his thank you cards. It’s hard going. There’s not a lot out there. Later, when I picked up linocut, he was intrigued and carved his own. I was so impressed with his design that I surprised him with a set of his own thank you cards with his design for our first wedding anniversary.

He has graciously let me share the design with all of you! 

Each set is handmade to order and available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.

The details

Card size: 3.5″ x 4.875″
Paper weight: 80 lb. cover with black deckle on card and envelope
Set of 10 cards with matching envelopes
Packaging: Eco-friendly kraft cardboard box with clear cover to protect.
Mountain design by Jonatan Billiau

Would I have even started if I truly knew that I was actually going to try to teach myself how to draw, mix colour, understand light and shadow theory, and perspective? Likely not, that sounds overwhelming, but that’s what happened and its been fun

Perspective has been difficult for me. For some reason, my mind’s eye always puts everything in birds eye view. And sometimes I wonder what this says about my “ego” (do I subconsciously think I’m above it all?!) or am I just purely lazy?

My friend, Chris Chang-Yen Phillips (check out his work here), suggested that I pick up “Understanding Perspective: Easy Techniques for Mastering Perspective Drawing on Location” by Stephanie Bower. It’s part of the Urban Sketching Handbook series. It’s excellent and has improved my drawing AND my everyday observations of my environment.

In this book, I also discovered the work of Shari Blaukopf. I’m inspired by her work especially with use of colour and perspective. So, to work on my lines, I attempted to copy a piece of hers featured in the book. I’m happy with how it turned out!

Blaukopf use of light, shadows and colour is amazing and I hope one day I have those skills too. In the meantime, my black pen for outlines is my best tool for contast.

P.S – Finishing up this post I see that Blaukopf has a new book coming out about working with colour – YESSSS! 

Palma il Vecchio – de Badende Nymphenen Diana and Callisto. It probably was not this exact painting, but something similar…

She had a detailed yet dreamy gallery wall in the front entry that lead the eye up the stairs to the main floor where aromas of biscotti wafted from the kitchen or the inviting sound of a crackling fireplace could be heard from the living room. It was a magical house where I got to read classic adult books by a staircase nook, watch musicals, attempt to play ukelele or piano, and read comics by the fire with my Grandpa in his wingback chair.

When I look back on it, anyone who walked into my grandparent’s home likely already knew they were visiting bold and cultured people. Their love of art, music, theatre, travel, and learning made an impression on me. Their personalities drifted throughout the entire house. It had a certain amount of privacy, coziness, and exoticism, which felt rare and special in my hometown.

Now that I’m 28, I feel the importance of having art in my own home. Pieces that mean something to me, make me feel differently, convey ideas I cherish, or share a story of my life, which all add infinite value to the vibe of my home. I learned quite a bit about culture from my Grandma B just by being in her house, surrounded by the art she and my Grandpa loved. Lately, I’ve started curating my own collection but it’s easier said than done sometimes.

I’ve found that art requires a certain amount of investment. An amount I’ve struggled to find in my student indebted budget. But with some research, persistence and saving, it’s possible to find art that you love, made by local artists (even better!).

All set up! #yegartwalk#amydixonart

A photo posted by Amy Dixon (@amydixonart) on Jul 10, 2015 at 10:43am PDT

The first original paintings I bought were at Art Walk Edmonton from artist Amy Dixon. I just couldn’t leave her stand without the set of two dark blue and gold abstract canvases, which are now displayed in my living room (and seen in her Instagram photo above).

You can start your search by cruising these cultural events happening in your community:

1. Art Walk
2. Arts and craft festivals
3. Small, local art galleries
4. Local university/college fine arts exhibitions
5. Creeping Instagram to find local starting artists. Most have websites to buy prints or commissions.
   Some of my favourites in Edmonton are:
   Amy Dixon
   Emily Chu
   Allan Milne
   Adam Allegro (honorary Edmontonian in my books)
6. Local comic book store to inquire about local illustrators
7. Paint Night. Lots of not-for-profits host these events for fundraisers. Practical, charitable, and fun all at the same time.
8. Thrift stores like Value Village or Salvation Army. You might find a treasure or two.
9. Make your own art with watercolours (or pastels, acrylics, oils, or crayons). There are affordable canvases at Michaels too.

My Grandma L has painted her own landscapes with oil paints that have been framed and hung in her own house and my mom’s. She started painting in her late seventies and I remember seeing her easel, a canvas in progress, paints and brushes at the dining room table instead of her usual coffee cup and Canadian Living magazine. My maternal grandma is a very ‘do-it-yourself’ lady, which I admire.

Often, I like to scope out artists at local craft fairs and markets but sometimes the atmosphere is too chaotic for me to purchase. But, I always make sure that I grab their card, visit their website or social media so I can follow their work. I watch for a while, save my pennies and then when I see a piece I can’t bear to be without, I snap it up. This has happened at a market a couple times but it’s always during a quiet moment where I have a chance to talk to the artist.

Don’t stress too much about buying an original over a print. I think that a print can be just as effective in a home and it’s a friendlier price for a beginners creating their own art collection. Over time, you’ll discover your art leanings or preferences and feel confident once you decide to make the investment in an original.

For good and affordable frames, I suggest going to Michaels over Ikea. Michaels was recommended to me by an artist for price quality and also by a friend, who swears by their email coupon list.

Once you have your art and it’s framed, the next challenge is to hang it. The great Cup of Jo blog has an excellent post about how to hang your art like a pro.

And finally, I implore you to go forth and buy art, feel cultured, and spread the creativity to your loved ones.

She’s a hele grote madam.

I’m due for another Flenglish lesson, where I explain some cool things I’ve learned from the Flemish language and applied them to my english vocabulary.

The first time I visited Belgium in 2011, I was astounded by how ‘female-friendly’ it is. I felt the women had a lot of opportunity and power in their lives, both in personal relationships as well as professionally. I met women who were the breadwinners in their household, had great degrees, and seemed to have the pick of the litter of whom to choose a partner. In fact, while I was in Leuven, I read a news article that the sperm donor clinic was asking the young men of the University of Leuven to donate their sperm because there were more lesbian couples looking for a sperm donor than donors themselves.

Of course, the longer you live somewhere the more complex gender cultural standards begin to emerge (and I’m not well versed enough to elaborate on them in this simple blog post and do it justice). However, I still feel that Alberta could learn some gender neutrality from Belgium.

In the first month of being in Leuven in 2011, I was walking with Billy to catch a meal in the cozy Muntstraat, a tiny street lined with cozy bistros. We came across the statue of Friere Margreite and Billy told me the story. I’ll never forget that moment because I thought, “I would never see a statue like that in Alberta.” The tale dates back to 15th century and goes like this…

Young Margreite worked in an traveller’s inn located on the Munstraat in Leuven, which was owned by her relatives. She was known to be a hard worker and well-behaved. One day, a group of pilgrims came into the inn. Margreite was sent out to get more wine for the pilgrims and while she was gone the pilgrims, who were actually a gang of robbers, murdered her relatives. When she returned to find the massacre, she was kidnapped, taken outside of the city, and gang raped. She was then tossed in the Dyle river to be forgotten.

But her body did not sink. The fish of the river carried her body upsteam. The tale goes that her body was surrounded by a beautiful light as it drifted back to Leuven. She was discovered by the Duke of Brabant and the robbers were convicted and sent to jail because of their heinous crime. Her name Friere Margreite means Proud Margaret because of her defiance to her rape and murder.

Below is a really neat 3D art installation that was done in in Leuven.

I’ve linked the tale of Friere Margreite and the idea behind the expression ‘hele groote madam’ because they were both ‘ah ha!’ moments regarding Belgium’s progression towards gender equality. This past summer I was back in Belgium at Rock Werchter, a massive music festival, where I had the pleasure of seeing Patti Smith and Alabama Shakes perform. It was during this festival that Billy taught me the Flemish saying hele grote madam and it’s been stuck in my head ever since. Watching these women perform their craft and be acknowledged for their hard work and talent by women and men alike sparked an idea in me of how to pursue creativity and challenges in life.

As a personal goal, as I get older, I’m striving to become a hele grote madam. The larger than life woman who’s lived her life and ruffled some feathers. She’s driven by her craft/passion/art/cause and pushes for innovation. She capitivates people with her strength and demeanour.

My list of hele groote madams (in Meredith speak, “Badass ladies who are living for themselves”):

1. Patti Smith (artist)
2. JK Rowling (writer)
3. Brittany Howard (musician)
4. Diane Keaton (actor)
5. Alison Mosshart (artist/musician)
6. Toni Morrison (writer)
7. Elizabeth Gilbert (writer)
8. Gabrielle Hamilton (writer/chef)
9. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi (writer)

Well then, I guess by reading this list it’s easy to tell what my passions in life are: writing, art, music, design, and cooking. Next post like this I’ll talk about inspiring men because Equality.

What women leave you inspired? Reading your list will make me as happy as this llama over here…

Nuit Blanche: French colloquialism for “a sleepless night.”

Since moving to Edmonton, I’ve wanted to volunteer. I really enjoy volunteering and I firmly believe it’s an important place to start exploring new personal or professional goals. It’s a chance to contribute to the community and yourself at the same time! Billy had volunteered as a judge at Taste of Edmonton this summer and that landed him on the volunteer email list for Events Edmonton. A couple of months later, he got a message that was scouting for volunteers for Nuit Blanche. He forwarded it on to to me and I signed up right away. What a cool opportunity!

My role is Art Interpreter for Nuit Blanche, which has me hanging out at the exhibition, speculating about the piece with the visitors, talking to strangers, and being friendly in general so they have a nice time discovering art. The all-night event takes place in downtown Edmonton. I think that some people are curious to see what will happen as the nighttime vibes of downtown Edmonton don’t have the best reputation; it’s either referred to as a ghost town or having rowdy residents. I don’t think Nuit Blanche will have a problem. Their goal is to help Edmontonians see the downtown core in a way they haven’t experienced before and the pieces on display should do just that.

Earlier this week we had our orientation and the Nuit Blanche curator Dave Dyment was there to explain The Half-Lit Moon Exhibition, the main event, that has 11 different pieces that are located in different parts of the downtown core. Featured artists are from all over the world and are very accomplished. There are also 3 special commissions that have been produced especially for Nuit Blanche Edmonton.

Artist Yoko Ono

Many of the pieces that Dyment choose for The Half Lit Moon have loose intellectual ties to the signature artist of the night, Yoko Ono. My interpretation from what I’ve heard is that there will be a peaceful yet subversive vibe surrounding The Half Lit Moon exhibition. In his presentation, Dyment elaborated on Yoko Ono’s career, whom he considers to be one of, if not the, most important artist of our time and is responsible for creating forms of art that we take for granted now because they are so prevalent in society.

In The Wish Tree by Yoko Ono, which will be located on Churchill Square, visitors are encourage to write a wish on paper and then hang it from the trees. Since Edmonton will have 121 trees, a far cry from the original 5 trees at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche in 2008, there’s a lot of room for wishes. After Nuit Blanche, the trees will be planted throughout the community and the wishes are sent to the Peace Tower in Iceland. Dyment told us that wishes from previous exhibitions are stored at the bottom of the town and they are also digitized for history. Whoa.

Edmonton’s Churchill Square and Arts District. Photo via yegishome.ca

Why I think it’s going to be a party:
1) Lights everywhere! – In Andrew Buszchak’s piece, two buildings, the Epcor Building and the Chancery Hall, will be subtly lit and speaking binary code to each other.

2) Bouncy Castle Highrise – Watch bouncy castles stacked to create a highrise in front the Art Gallery of Alberta by artist Jon Sasaki.

3) Balloon Tunnels – Martin Creed’s piece, Half the Air in a Given Space, has the pedways of city centre mall half filled with balloons that you get to walk through.

4) Parkade Party (to watch the dancing cranes) – the official viewing spot for the Dance of the Cranes by Brandon Vickerd is at the top of the City Centre West Parkade. The show starts at 11 p.m. and ends at midnight. Be there or be square.

5) Lost in an urban jungle – Have you ever called out into the universe with no response? Soliloquy by Sasha Krieger is a compilation of films will be beamed on the World Trade Centre Building on Jasper avenue that will make you think about calls unanswered.

6) Grumpy Elves – Local artist Ali Nickerson’s surreal interactive installation involves elves making gifts on the spot and a creepy Christmas Tree to take selfies with.

7) Blooming Wish Tree – Read people’s wishes and send your own out into the universe. Feel the Yoko Ono vibes.

The making of Soccer Pitch by Patricia Monge, photo via curator Dave Dyment’s blog.

8) Bumpy Soccer Pitch – watch children stumble around trying to play soccer in this trippy field by Patricia Monge. It will also be open at certain times for patrons to experience disuption in function.

9) Grand Market – 124th Street Grand Market will be the official market of Nuit Blanche. Hopefully, the Moonshine Doughnut people will be there.

10) Stopping at some of the great downtown bars to wet your whistle

11) Fibre-Optic Flora and Fauna Greenhouse – go see the psychedelic flora and fauna at Flora: Digital Greenhouse by Amelia Scott and Joel Adria

12) Ode to potholes – Artists Sarah Amato and Monique McFarlane want to know how you feel about potholes and you can contribute to their ode with your own artistic creation.

Ode to Potholes

13) A steamroller crushing stuff – Artist collective vsvsvs has a steamroller and will be flattening stuff down in a hockey rink.

Does this sound like an Alice in Wonderland for adults? Yes it does. And I’m psyched about it.

For more infomation about Nuit Blanche:
Website: nuitblancheyeg2015.ca/
Instagram: instagram.com/nuitblancheed
Twitter: twitter.com/NuitBlancheEd
Interview with curator Dave Dyment: Edmonton’s Nuit Blanche a gigantic art party — and more by Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal

Two cool articles about Yoko Ono:
Yoko Ono: A Reconsideration by Lisa Carver, New York Times Magazine
Yoko Ono: “John’s affair wasn’t hurtful to me. I needed a rest. I needed space.” by Chrissy Iley, The Telegraph

Mural spotted in Chicago by the Art Institute.

As chance would have it , back in February, I joined the Art Selection Committee of Lacombe that picks public art for the city. As a member-at-large, I talk to community members, identify possible locations for sculptures, and promote cultural events. Lacombe is unique to have a program like this because it is still a small city. It’s a progressive policy that shows commitment to the community’s culture. When I went to Chicago and saw all of the amazing public art, I was inspired. One day, Lacombe will be much bigger and there may well be a sculpture that I helped pick with my fellow board members. So I took this opportunity to soak all that Chicago art scene up and learn about Chicago’s public art policies to bring to my new role.

The City of Chicago began their public art development in 1978, one of the first in the United States, by passing the Percent for Art Ordinance that allocates 1.33% of the cost of building or renovating a municipal building or public space. Half of the commissions, or art projects, must be awarded to local Chicago artists to support the local arts community.

Each of the commissions are location-specific and incorporates a lot of input from those who live in the neighbourhood. There are at least two meetings in the community before a commission is chosen to get feedback from the community for artist suggestions and types of artwork that should be considered.

Many of the sculptures in downtown Chicago are very modern. Once I returned from Chicago, I noticed that Lacombe’s sculptures are much more reflective on the city’s history rather than looking to the future. Before I went to Chicago, I read in The Third Coast: When Chicago Built the American Dream by Thomas Dyja that it is considered the birthplace of modernity in America. While I haven’t done a lot of in depth research yet to support that statement apart from Dyja’s book, I will argue that the public works of arts that I saw in Chicago give vision to modernity.

Here are a few of my favourites from the trip and the most well-known. I wish I had known about all this progressive public art before I went because then I really could have gone on an art hunt. So, I guess I’ll have to go back. Shoot.

The Picasso (1967) in the Daley Plaza of Chicago Loop.

Chicago sculpture by Joan Miro (1981)

Flamingo by Alexander Calder (1974)

America Windows by Marc Chagall (1977 and removed in 2005). Now in the Art Institute of Chicago.

1,004 Portraits by Jaume Plensa in Millenium Park (2014-2015)

I still have questions and I’m looking for more information on Chicago’s public art policies and history. First, why did they choose these sculptures? How did they settle on a sculpture that made the community happy? What prevents the sculptures from being vandalized? What have been the most successful promotional activities for the unveiling? These are just some of the things I need to learn about public art.

Cloudgate (aka The Bean) by Anish Kapoor in Millenium Park (2006)

P.S Chicago is the coolest city ever.