I gave a presentation at the ATESL conference - Alberta Teachers Conference for English as a Second Language. Here is a slideshow that I used with some link to sources. Feel free to examine and use!

​I shared an intimate moment with you, by bringing you on to the Salon Chair with me. I had a great discussion with Sean about fears, creativity, grey hair and just 'letting it happen' as he says. #talking #discuss fears #artists #creative #hairstylist.
Why does Sean have his own porfolio website for all his hair creations? He has been cutting hair for a long time and does a fine job of it! In this episode we talk about what is holding him back. We also talk about letting it go grey - why not? 

Doug finished a new body of portraiture work. He is a humble guy with a great passion and talent for painting. I caught him at his opening and had a conversation with him in front of his work. He provides us with lots of details on his techniques, philosophy and his approach at SLAYING the dragon of RESISTANCE. 
Doug's artist statement: With each passing year, I find myself traveling further into the past; giving myself over to the classical traditions and pathos of bygone eras. Seeming to always be struck in a different century, I have found wonderful refuge in kitsch - the enlightenment to see and be seen. Devoted to painting, I have taught myself various approaches of old and new masters to formulate my mark. I mostly work with still life compositions, but recently I'm being drawn towards the figurative. 

Here are a few very amateur shots of the show. The first pic has DOUG himself with two of his paintings hanging in the wall behind him.
The second shot is with the boss himself Eddie Nyikes - the owner of the New Edward Gallery. He is standing next to the his portrait! 
The last one is one of Doug's landscapes.

Find his work at: https://douglaswilliamson.com/home.html
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I sat down with Mandy Patchin from Glass House Xperience to talk about her portable glassblowing studio. 
Mandy Patchin runs the only Canadian Mobile Glassblowing studio. GLASS HOUSE Xperience.  You can find her and her crew at all kinds of events and many schools, sharing the art of glassblowing. It is a technical practice that requires not only patience, but a lot of materials and specialized equipment. Mandy tells about her start up business and how she keeps it going - 4 years strong so far! Plus I discuss a little bit about my own dragons and how they have kept me from my studio. I think this will require a full on discussion about Slaying the Dragon. Tune in, subscribe and review please! Thank you!

I'm headed off to the 2nd Calgary held Podcast Summit this year in June! I went to the last one and it was super inspirational. I'm complete stoked because this time, I actually have a podcast and I can directly and immediately apply all the great advice. Plus, I look forward to meeting all the other podcasters out there. If you do a podcast or want to create one, and you don't have a ticket - well what are you waiting for?!

Eddie is old school, but he is a little new school too. He finished his fine arts degree and he also worked over 10 years doing seismic. His work is very serene, but his home decor is not. Eddie is full of contrast and I think that is what makes this interview interesting. Check it out. Also the New Edward Gallery. Send me messages to chat@burstandbloom.ca. Would love to know what you think of the podcast so far. 
LISTEN HERE OR ANY WHERE YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS: https://anchor.fm/burstandbloom/episodes/Episode-5-with-Eddie-Nyikes---an-artist--rocker-and-gallery-owner-e3iicb
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I had a wonderful conversation with Veronica Funk, professional artist living in Airdrie, Alberta Canada! In this conversation she shares so many tips and tricks to slaying the dragon of resistance. She shares with us where she gets her inspiration from and how to involve others in your work. You can see all of her work and get in touch with veronica at: https://www.veronicafunk.com/.  

A big focus of the podcast is this question. Here is what Veronica had to say - 

6. How do you slay the dragon of resistance?
After studying Art & Design at Red Deer College I got a job (steady income is always nice).  It was a terrific opportunity but I had to make adjustments in my daily life in order to paint so I got up an hour early every day just to start my day off in my make-shift studio.  I continue that to this day...studio first.  It helps me to keep a designated area in my home that is always ready so that whenever I walk by it, I tend to be drawn in to work. 

​Veronica Funk answers these questions with insight and grace. Please listen to Episode 4 to feel inspired.
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