Paula Timm Artist

Friday, December 30, 2016

2016 - What's in a year?



I have had so many very cool opportunities this year! I have been able to: exhibit my art, hone my skills as an creative arts instructor, published articles for super cool Canadian magazines and blogs, apply (and get accepted) to creative arts incubator @cSPACE King Edward, created brand illustrations and marketing materials,  and designed and facilitated public art collaborations!

If you weren't already aware of the in's and outs of this creative bombshell of a life of mine..allow me to summarize. Always a creative person, never an Artist. Until I got a chronic auto immune disease. I would get sick with a flare up of u
lcerative colitis, I would take time off work to be hospitalized and convalesce at home. When well enough, I would pass time creating art. When sufficiently healed up, I would return to work and the cycle continued, despite my best efforts to change my habits.

My body grew tired of the routine, I had my colon removed, major surgical incident occurred, the pearly gates were previewed, I returned home to convalesce, do art and hopefully not repeat the pattern.

It has been six years since the surgery, and apart from the hardest thing I have ever gone through there have been some benefits.  I have learned to share my creative self, became an art instructor, sold my art, published my writing, and practically earned a honorary degree in cognitive behaviour therapy. I am even facing the future of my own studio, where I will teach and share space with the city's bravest entrepreneurial artists and creatives. I could barely dream of any of this paragraph ten years ago let alone yesterday. So I am grateful for every choice, be it a fall or a leap.

I am preparing my body for more alterations, they may have to come surgically, definitely they are coming through therapy and a lot of hard work. I have tried and will continue to try non traditional approaches to my healing. I still hold space for miraculous healing and or pixi dust.

As I count my blessings, I am so grateful for a team of doctors and practitioners which I trust, a spouse that holds the most compassionate space, and a new community of friends to love and support me.



Monday, December 5, 2016

The Other Side of Pain

The second story in "Muse Worthy" features ME!
Visual Artist, Creative Instructor, Wellness Advocate, Writer & Presenter


"Anyone who has suffered from a chronic health condition will likely relate to the perseverance and courage she shares. Her battle with ulcerative colitis and its many complications led her to an unlikely place, a strengthened creative voice that has both healed her and propelled her to new places in life. I hope you enjoy her story and find as much courage and inspiration in it as I do."

The very cool Rachel Rose of Workshop Muse is creating a series on artists whom inspire her.
I am so very honoured to be selected this round in the series Muse Worthy - read here for the full article on her blog.

Her words start reflecting from the time that she met me in my art class to sighting my healing journey with art. I have reread a few times to capture her insights and will continue to re read to capture perspective on my life.
have a read here.. and make sure you read to the bottom for some Question&Answers by moi!

- it is so very beautiful, thank you!

Follow her Facebook Page, Workshop Muse for workshops, creative prompts, and thoughtful articles.

Spark Festival

I am so grateful for the amazing efforts of so many in our fine city of Calgary, like the annual Spark Disability Art Festival. Every year they seem to make it bigger and better with five locations, presentation, and two projects with the U of C.

This year, I participated as a juror for over 250 pieces of art! View the three pieces of mine that were juried at the locations with asterisk below!

Spark is curating  some amazing works at five locations across our city: