I’m please to share two new chapbooks - i know the body is for more than dying published by No Press, and By the Shores of Issyk-Kul published by above/ground press.
https://derekbeaulieu.ca/no-press/
https://abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2024/07/new-from-aboveground-press-by-shores-of.html?m=1
Come along for a peaceful hike in a snowy forest, listen to some chill, minimal techno beats, and weave a tapestry inspired by the trees.
You can check out the artwork here, and listen to more Zeita II Reticuli here and here.
Griffith Woods is an awesome park in Calgary, Alberta, which also borders Tsuu T'ina Nation. There are loads of wooded paths, and little tributaries of the Elbow River run through the park here and there. Even though it's part of the city a walk there can have that real feeling of a nature hike, especially on a calm wintry day.
I wasn't planning on making a video this day, but the snow was so pretty I decided to shoot this on my phone (hence the weird iPhone 11 Pro light warbling in spots - sorry!).
After I got home I flipped through my photos to decide what artwork to make, and the photo of the trees felt like the right inspiration, and something cozy like weaving felt like the right vibe. The tapestry is hung on a piece of driftwood inherited from my dad - the warp string was passed down to me from him too - and the rest of the yarn is also second-hand. It was a really fun little piece to weave, reflecting on the beautiful walk in the woods.
The first in our new video series “The Art of Hiking” is now live! I’m so excited to share our love of hiking and art in these videos. I’m behind the camera and the painting, Julya is the hiker, and Zeta II Reticuli wrote the soundtrack. I hope you enjoy snowshoeing through the mountains with us.
Watch the making of one of my latest tapestries here! More info about this piece is available here.
rob mclennan over at above/ground press prepared this delightful surprise - Report from the Hajnoczky Society Vol. 1, no. 1, including pieces from many of my favourite poets/people! Thanks to all for their contributions.
Thrilled to have a grain of sand, published by above/ground press, shortlisted for the Nelson Ball prize!
Sadly, after almost ten years serving the Calgary literary and arts community, Loft 112 is closing its doors in October. We’re fortunate to have the sixth installment of our family art show Popsicle! up now.
Thank you Loft for all the memories!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the fundraiser, which raiser $453.50! As mentioned I also contributed myself for a total donation of $550.
My father came to Canada as a refugee from Hungary when he was a child, and he never forgot the kindness of those who helped them along the way. From March 1st-15th use the code FUNDRAISER2022 to get 25% off everything in my store. 100% of sales during this time will be donated to the Red Cross on March 16th in support of those displaced by the attack on Ukraine.
I’ve added lots of new items including textile tapestries, scarves, and ornaments, gift cards, and Lady and the Lathe collages, and I’ll be adding more items over the next two weeks! Or, check out these items related to our family’s experience.
If nothing here catches your eye, please consider donating to a charity of your choice that supports refugees.
A reading from Frost & Pollen on Boom Lake Trail. Filmed by Julya Hajnoczky.
My sister Julya and I pulled over on a recent snowshoe hike of Castle Mountain Lookout Trail to film this reading of Frost & Pollen… emphasis on the frost!
I’m honoured to be a featured artist in Rachel Notley’s Art From the Unknown! If you enjoy my tiny weavings please consider nominating for me for the People’s Choice Award. If you’d like to own your very own tiny tapestry of Elkwater Lake, AB you can check ‘em out in the store. Enjoy browsing all the wonderful artists here!
I am delighted to be launching Frost & Pollen this Thursday at 7 p.m. Calgary time, hosted by the wonderful Shelf Life Books. I will be joined by poets Weyman Chan and Natalie Simpson, and our MC for the evening is derek beaulieu. Click here for: Zoom registration; Facebook event ; Shelf Life's calendar
A collection of artworks based on the poem "Bloom & Martyr" from Frost & Pollen are now available in my store. Each art purchase includes a copy of the book. You can browse the collection here. For just the book, see Invisible Publishing.
Can't make the launch? You can watch pre-recorded readings of Frost & Pollen on Invisible Publishing's YouTube channel! Here is a celebration of the upcoming launch; a reading from and discussion of "Bloom & Martyr"; and here is a reading from and discussion of "Foliage."
Hullo! I’m giving this site a fresh look, but unfortunately that means some links in this blog may no longer work. If there’s anything missing that you’re curious about let me know - ateacozyisasometimes@gmail.com
As Frost & Pollen is about to be released I’ve been contemplating the connection between my passion for the outdoors and my art more. In this book I’ve done more writing inspired by the Rockies and their beautiful forests, glades, cirques, rivers, and more. Moving forward I plan to continue bringing my interest in the outdoors more closely in line with my arts practice.
With that in mind, I just listened to this wonderful episode of Dirtbag Diaries with artist Ken Jarvela: https://dirtbagdiaries.com/backcountry-brushes/ The artist’s discussion of his life and career are incredibly inspiring - especially his closing words: “It’s almost like we have this individual little slot of time that we’re given to observe – it’s almost like we are nature’s chance to see itself. It seems like everything that we see is beauty. Seeing things as beauty I think is really a core to what a human being is made for.”
My third book of poetry, Frost & Pollen, will be out in October! You can find out more info about the book, read some advance praise, and pre-order the book here, on Invisible’s Website.
The book has appeared on CBC’s 45 Canadian poetry collections to watch for in fall 2021, and on 49th Shelf’s Most Anticipated: Our Fall 2021 Poetry Preview.
We’ve recently moved and I’m in the process of cleaning out the space that will become my art studio. I’ve never had a studio before and am very excited to get it set up over the next while.
As poetry month draws to a close, here’s a little poem published on the Chaudiere Books blog. Like a lot of people, this past year I drew a lot of solace and pleasure from getting outside, and this poem is about driving home to Calgary from a trip to Bragg Creek.
zoetrope
we drive through the strobe
of the low winter sun
through the lodgepole pines
the foothills
ripple out
the c-train headlights
flash through the fence posts
bow trail gives way
to the reflection of sunset
gleaming off the city
Just watched episode 8 of The Watchmen and I thought it was an exceptionally beautiful depiction of grief. It reminded me of the Feist lyrics - the saddest part / of a broken heart / isn’t the ending / so much as the start - and one of the things I hashed out dealing with death anxiety. Yes - everyone will die, yes, you can have a joyful life anyway. Would definitely recommend. Planning to watch the final episode tomorrow…
The winter drifted by and I somehow didn’t notice how long it’s been since I’ve posted! Social distancing has led me to spend much of my free time wandering around outdoors or on starting/finishing/working away on projects, but I think the more used I get to not seeing people the more I forget to share things too. So hello out there - I’m here, crafting and editing away as usual. I hope you’re well and safe.
The last blog post I started and never posted was in January, reflecting on last year’s resolutions. I didn’t wear my costume jewelry more as resolved as I spent most of the year at home - an idea to revive in different times perhaps. I did better on my resolution not to buy new art supplies - I bought glue, tape, film (all items allowed under the spirit of the resolution), and some yarn from Tibetan Trom, once on impulse in the before times, and once because I wanted to spend some money at my favourite local store during these rough times. I also bought a bottle of ultra black paint because I was ordering a bottle for my sister as a Christmas gift and though I’d get a gift for myself as well! Otherwise, I’ve been focused on using what I have and this year has felt remarkably abundant in the supply and inspiration department. I have also not made a substantial dent in my supplies (and I’ve taken on a lot of free yarn…) so I’m continuing the same resolution this year with the the same idea - use what I have without spending more, unless I definitely need something to make the artwork like film, glue, etc. One more exception this year though for the gift card for a craft store I got for Christmas - ah! What a lovely loophole…
Speaking of using existing supplies, I’ve been weaving ends of yarn into various creations. I find this a fun and satisfying way to use up these trimmings, and they often seem to turn out better and more artistic that pieces I’ve intentionally planned. Here’s one on a round loom - I have in mind a piece in the Leighton Centre in the greenhouse. It’s one of the last places I visited and saw artworks before the pandemic so it’s stayed brightly in my mind. It contains some trimmings of the Tibetan Trom yarn actually!
