A little shout-out to Bill Jamieson and Richard de Armand

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

One of the things I truly love about Mayne Island is the helpful nature of most of it’s residents when you find yourself in a pinch. People step up and help, and things that are in need of attention can get done rather quickly – not always of course – but often enough for me to comment on it. We had just such a situation during the big windstorm last Monday Dec 15th.

I was on the ferry making my way over to Mayne when I got a text from Anita, wondering if there had always been a cracked pane in the front door of Shavasana. While setting up shop, going in and out to her car, the door was left open for a minute(with a doorstop)and a huge gust of wind slammed it shut resulting in a cracked pane of glass. Without wasting a moment, she called Bill Jamieson, and

Richard de Armand to see if they could come around and have a look at the damage with a mind to fixing the problem. I think both of them were on-site within the hour – taking measurements, and figuring out how to remove the wooden molding. Plus, due to the small-community nature of Mayne, they knew each other and were able to confirm sizing & timing to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

After a little site-prep by Richard on the Monday, Bill came back with a perfect cut of glass on Tuesday and Richard finished the job, secured the frame and painted it such as you’d never know it had been broken.

Call it what you will – service, helpfulness, kindness – this is something that you wouldn’t encounter in the big city…and for this, I am grateful.

Special kudos also to Anita McCamley for jumping on the problem immediately – and knowing who to call (I knew Bill was a celebrated Glass Artist, but didn’t realize that he also operated as Mr. Window Repair guy)…

Now…who’s going to fix my outdoor glass table that also got blown over in the same storm and shattered into a million “safety glass” pieces! 🤣

(Ok Ok…there’s only so much we can expect of others, 😂I got out my rake and spent a good hour – in the pouring rain – cleaning up this mess. Raking broken safety glass is not something I’d wish on anyone…and yes, I know, I tried to remove the umbrella in October when I was winterizing the place, and it was stuck in its base…mental note, remove it anyway!🤬)

The Accidental Curator – Episode 20 – The Panic Attack

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

Here’s episode 20 of The Accidental Curator Podcast – The Panic Attack. Unlike my last two podcast posts, I chose not to use an Ai intro and have laboured intensely using actual thinkin’ power to come up with the compelling and gripping intro which follows:

“Ottawa, 1980’s – a young man, balancing his new wave musician aspirations with his soul-crushing job in the Federal Bureaucracy – has an unexpected epiphany of sorts via a Panic Attack.

Written with fondness for the era, friends, and situations he found himself in – George uses self-deprecatory humour to drive this fun journey through the pubs, bedrooms, and basement jams of his mid 20’s. While showing us some insights into the less heralded work as a Communications Officer at the Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation Centre, in our nations capital during the New Wave era.”

Have a listen here:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-20-the-panic-attack/

The Accidental Curator – Episode 19 – “I Could Tell You Wasn’t a Roughneck”

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

Another update to my podcast with Episode 19 (this will be the last one for a while)…and I’m cutting & pasting Ai’s descriptive preamble to my show, which again, I preferred over my own. It’s a seductive tech advance, and I have my own misgivings – yet, seemingly, not enough to stop me for using it as my intro!🤣

“A Roughneck’s Journey: Trials and Triumphs” In Episode 19 of the podcast, the host returns after a six-month hiatus, sharing tales from a bustling summer at the Shavasana Gallery and Cafe on Mayne Island. As the busy season winds down, the host revisits past ventures, including a brief stint as a roughneck in the oil fields of northern Alberta in the 1970s.

The story, titled “I Could Tell You Wasn’t a Roughneck,” takes listeners on a journey with two young men chasing the allure of big money in the oil sands. Through humorous and harrowing experiences, the episode highlights the challenges and camaraderie of life on the rigs, culminating in a decision that alters the host’s path.

Listeners are invited to explore these vivid tales, which are also available in the host’s book, “All Roads at Any Time.” As the episode concludes, the host reflects on the current state of the world, offering words of encouragement and hope.”

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-19-i-could-tell-you-wasnt-a-roughneck/

The Accidental Curator: Episode 18 – The Fourth Corner

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

I’m just in the process of updating my links to my podcast, “The Accidental Curator.” I originally published this podcast in April and a friend contacted me to let me know that it had picked up an irritating “time stamp” – like a metronome ticking away in the background – so I contacted Podbean (the host of all my podcasts) to see what could be done. I was encouraged to use their new Ai feature which quite easily corrected the problem. It also rewrote my – somewhat thin – descriptive preamble, and came up with what follows (definitely more enticing than what I wrote…it speaks more highly of myself than I do – It knows me so well😱)😆. This redo came out in June, so I’ve let it remain In this episode, of The Accidental Curator as follows:

“George Bathgate shares a gripping story titled “The Fourth Corner.” As he prepares to reopen his art gallery, George reflects on three significant car accidents he has witnessed over the years in his Kitsilano neighborhood. Each incident, occurring at different corners, serves as a vivid illustration of life’s unpredictability and the importance of staying vigilant.

From the bustling art gallery to the quaint Bruno’s Corner Cup Café, George’s narrative weaves through time and space, capturing the essence of community life and the ever-present potential for unexpected events. Tune in to hear how these experiences have shaped his outlook and to get a sneak peek into his upcoming book of short stories.

Join George for a compelling episode filled with reflection, humor, and a touch of suspense, reminding us all to approach life’s corners with caution and curiosity.”

Don’t worry, I have not, nor will not, let Ai write my stories nor do my voice. For me at least that would defeat the purpose of exercising creativity – so, here I am, warts & all.

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-18-the-fourth-corner/

End of Summer Season Wrap-Up, Reflections & Projections

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

It’s early October, and I’m back in Vancouver, taking care of the Vancouver side of my life. This dual existence has its joys…and difficulties. Shavasana Gallery & Café has reached a stage in it’s life where its become a viable small business, and is greatly appreciated by those who walk through its doors…and I appreciate their positive energy and support. As I’ve said in previous posts, I love Mayne Island and the lovely friends and community which I have there. Something about running a little Gallery Café on a small island just seems to fit so well with my nature – I get a contact high from a bustling room full of good conversation, laughter and happy people.

But not all has been benign this year – even in our little corner of bliss it’s hard to ignore the troubles besetting the world and the impact that it has had on the well-being of everyone. Instability and uncertainty came knocking at Shavasana’s door last year when a disagreement between our landlords resulted in one half of the ownership of the 10 acre parcel we are on, decide to try and sell their “Undivided/Half-Interest” this year for an outrageous sum. Their antics – while unsettling – have provided ample material for a chapter in the sequel to my book “All Roads at Any Time” https://clayandbone.com/book-all-roads-at-any-time/ . Great material for a tragi-comic farce. Here are some photos from my “Good, Bad & Ugly” summer season:

Lovely card made by friends Margaret and Andrea; Friend Fil’s cat asking to have her picture taken next to my new book; Esnie & Joseph & the Smith Grandchildren; Brenda Dean’s big sign; Elwood the Wonder Dog; Springtime Clematis bloom; the ever-changing sky; Nelson the neighbour’s paying a visit; Broken floor tiles – a result of January’s broken-pipe flooding; Vicki & Pam’s 75th B’Day celebration; Cleaning up Tom Collinson & family’s grave; Monday Jam sessions; Wayne Thomas carvings with donated bouquet; Herbie (my best friend from Grade 1) and wife Lauri; big-hearted & wise neighbour Billie

A beautiful bouquet from Esnie & Joseph; my beautiful partner Cathy in a lavender field on Saltspring; positive Covid test in July which had me self-isolating at Shavasana for a week; Chicken soup from Famous Empty Sky & assorted fruit from friends while I was isolating; Island Trail construction on our property; Liam’s handwritten note’s for a jam song; the Church yard where we were having an AA meeting; High School friend Eric fixing my signage; Bob-the-seller landlord chatting with Joseph the bare-foot car-dwelling wanderer; Lemar – gone too soon😢; Bright, Cello-playing neighbour Justine; “The Van” leaving Mayne for repairs; my German friend of 50 years, Christiana and Thomas, visiting Mayne; Margaret & Andrea’s Tree Frog🐸(in this case, a hand frog😆) paying a visit; Hand-Crafted art gift/mementos by Mary Jack; Jam with Liam Bender, Gary Bradfield, Stephen Cropper, Mary Jack & others; Hrothgar Jackson & Jim Heshedahl on the porch; more porch jamming; Neighbour Jan Gumbmann and his daughter Mika’s cups; Checking out the Lighthouse (new home of the SGIAC) with Stephen & Joyce; typical ferry scene; Billie & George & Percy the Pig; 3 Gifted books by Jeremy Borsos, Joseph Loh & John O’Brien; Jody Waldie’s “Raven”

So, the “Good, the Bad & the Ugly”…I love the variety of life experience that Mayne & Shavasana Gallery offers. I’m grateful for all of it, even the bad and the ugly allows us to have a greater understanding and compassion for what lies out there – giving depth & breadth to this blessed gift of life.

As mentioned in recent posts on social media, I’ve entered my slower Fall/Winter season which means that my openings will be a little unscheduled and will be announced via group emails , website updates and Social Media blitz’s. I think I’ll likely be open on the 3rd week of October…but it might be the 4th!🤔

Cheers!

George Bathgate

Curator/Proprietor

Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

The Accidental Curator – Episode 17 – “Knute, Bobby Darrin, and the Law of Unintended Consequences” & Joseph Synn Kune Loh’s exhibit, “Who Am I” a review by Bill Maylone

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

Here’s a short story I wrote several years ago, about how young, self-absorbed drunks on a bus could have inadvertently added fuel to the revolutionary fires that were building – in pre-revolutionary Iran. And a review of Joseph Synn Kune Loh’s exhibit, “Who Am I” by Bill Maylone…click the attached link for the podcast:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidentalcurator-%e2%80%93episode-17%e2%80%93knutebobby-darrinandthe-law-ofunintended-consequencesjosephsynnkuneloh-sexhibitlooking-for-meaningby/

The Accidental Curator – Episode 16 – Saved By Da Mizzles

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

Two young long-haired travellers arrive in Amsterdam in 1973. One of them, hopes and prays that the rest of his “round the world adventure” will improve over “day one”…it can only get better! Or can it?

For a link to this podcast: https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-16-saved-by-da-mizzles/

The Accidental Curator – Episode 13 – ”Why Don’t You Just Kill Rambo?”

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

“We laughed…we cried…we moved. Listen to one family’s journey through dog-barking hell”…October 25, 2022

I should probably be out shovelling snow or Christmas shopping, but I feel compelled to finish posting the last of my Podcasts on this site and on my Clay and Bone website:https://clayandbone.com/ I’ve only got three left until I’m all caught up, so I’ve put on my heavy winter gear and trudged through the snow-clogged streets to my local Starbucks to complete the task. As I’ve got this process down to a fine art, it’s not terribly difficult, just a little time consuming, which – on this snowy December 20th in Vancouver – seems in short supply. Here’s the Podcast:

.https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-13-why-don-t-you-just-kill-rambo/

Merry Christmas!

George

The Accidental Curator – Episode 12 – The Armed Robbery

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

“A casual Friday night pursuit of pubs and pals in Ottawa turns into an unexpected apprehension of an armed robbery in process” August 16, 2022

I should probably be out shovelling snow or Christmas shopping, but I feel compelled to finish posting the last of my Podcasts on this site and on my Clay and Bone website: https://clayandbone.com/ I’ve only got three left until I’m all caught up, so I’ve put on my heavy winter gear and trudged through the snow-clogged streets to my local Starbucks to complete the task. As I’ve got this process down to a fine art, it’s not terribly difficult, just a little time consuming, which – on this snowy December 20th in Vancouver – seems in short supply. Here’s the Podcast:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-12-the-armed-robbery/

Merry Christmas!

George

The Accidental Curator – Episode 11 – ”Tonight Fascism Will Die” (Apopse tha Pethanei o Fasismos!)

Posted on by Shavasana Art Gallery & Café

“A personal account of the Student Uprising in Athens, November 1973, which led to the overthrow of George Papadopolous and – ultimately – the return of Democracy” – May 27, 2022

I should probably be out shovelling snow or Christmas shopping, but I feel compelled to finish posting the last of my Podcasts on this site and on my Clay and Bone www.clayandbone.com website. I’ve only got three left until I’m all caught up, so I’ve put on my heavy winter gear and trudged through the snow-clogged streets to my local Starbucks to complete the task. As I’ve got this process down to a fine art, it’s not terribly difficult, just a little time consuming, which – on this snowy December 20th in Vancouver – seems in short supply. Here’s the Podcast:

.https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-11-tonight-fascism-will-die-apopse-tha-pethanei-o-fasismos/

Merry Christmas!🙏😊

George