Our mixed media course with Dipna Horra at the Ottawa School of Art has come to an end.
We spent the last 3-hour class hanging our art in the display windows, which was no mean feat. I won’t go into the gory details, but maybe it’s not such a good idea to cram 13 art students into a narrow hallway with 39 pieces of art and expect them to reach consensus about what should go where. Especially when one art student invites all her friends and family to participate and they bring flowers and cameras and turn it into a crowded hallway vernissage while everybody else is trying to make decisions and hang art around them. And when another student shows up an hour late with an unusually large piece of art that has to somehow be wedged in somewhere after the fact. But in the end, it all looked pretty spectacular and afterwards we had a little party and everything was lovely again. I love artists.
So, if you’re in the Market area and you feel like checking out our wacky amateur art exhibit, it’ll be on display until April 17th at the Ottawa School of Art at 35 George Street. GC and I each have three pieces in it. The school is open to the public, so just walk right in and go to the two window displays on the main floor, across from the elevators. (It’s closed for four days over Easter weekend though, so don’t go then.)
We think we’ll take a drawing course next. GC’s pretty good, and I’m pretty bad. I kind of like that I’m pretty bad because it leaves me so much room for improvement. Can anyone recommend a good introductory drawing teacher in Ottawa?
At the other end of the advice spectrum, I’m also looking for a financial advisor. (I have one for my RRSP, but he’s a commissioned salesman. For my current purposes I want someone who has no vested interest in steering me in any particular direction.) Basically I need someone who can assess the big picture – taxes, mortgage, severance package, etc. – and help me make some decisions about how to proceed financially from here.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE: Hella Stella just sent me coordinates for her financial dude, and I made the appointment. (I was just saying to my friend Gilles, who dropped by for coffee this morning, that one of the many benefits of being a blogger is that it provides you with such a rich source of references for good financial advisors, plumbers, art teachers, and other useful people.)
I recommend Agnes Ivan’s beginner’s drawing course 001A at the OSA. This term it’s Mondays from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, starting April 20. You get a crack at still life, portraits, chairs (chairs are surprisingly hard to draw), a skeleton, etc. She’ll lean on you about the things you need to improve, but not too hard.
Wow – I’m *totally* impressed with your network. It was less than 24 hours ago that you decided to blog about your quest for a financial advisor, and you’ve already booked an appointment with someone who comes recommended…
(“Hi Zoom, my name’s Mr.Bernie Madoff…”)
So if *that* quest was so quickly resolved, what’s next? I’d suggest perhaps an appeal for recommendations re. someone who can offer you some relief from what appeared to be a pretty painful back condition…
I thoroughly enjoyed our coffee klatsch yesterday, the highlight of which, bien sûr, was meeting the Great Duncan. Y’know, I think this type of “face-to-face” interaction may yet catch on as an alternative to texting, email and messaging!
Congrats on your success with your advisor, best wishes with the back…
gs
i’m going to go to the art school today at lunch – how will i know what is yours?
Thank you Douglas – I’ll check into that one.
Gilles, it was my pleasure. And Duncan’s too. He loves it when people come over and sit on my couch and pat him for hours. He says you can come back anytime.
Meanie, good question. I like to think you’ll just know somehow. Let me know if you knew.
I’d love to take a drawing course.. I am assuming that
Douglas ment the Ottawa School of Art.( I am going to call them
I also have agreat HONEST Financial Advisor that doesn’t have an agenda. He will look at all ascepts of your life including investments, debts etc. send me an e mail if you want a 2nd opinion.