alexis marie chute – Page 23 – Alexis Marie Chute

Summer Artist in Residence Update

August 13, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings /by Alexis Marie Chute

Summer? What summer? Oh, do you mean the heat wave that is passing through my art studio in the Harcourt House Annex? Ah, that summer. Yes, it’s true. I’ve been spending countless hours at work, despite the nice weather, as my solo exhibition in Harcourt’s main space is quickly approaching. It’s just over two months away. TWO months! I can hardly believe it.

It seems like only yesterday that I walked into the white walled space and set down roots in the gallery community. Now, I am completely out of wall space. I feel like my work has taken on a life of its own and has grown in depth and breadth. It’s a good time.

I am finishing sculptures, paintings, mixed media 2D work, no wait 3D work… it can’t decide what it is! I am presently embarking on a photographic component to my work as well, incorporating images of our local Edmonton construction that we all love so much. Plus photographs of people will also begin in just two days! (A huge thank you to all my lovely volunteers who have opened up about their struggles and what it has taken for them to rebuild their life.)

All the artwork speaks to this one large message: the human heart can endure much and rebuild itself after hardship. Side note, the rebuild process is never easy and always creates something altogether new. I call my work, “The Quiet Rebuild.”

Mark your calendars for “The Quiet Rebuild”!

Thursday, October 24, 2013 – Opening Reception & artist talk

Visit the exhibition in the Harcourt House gallery from October 24 to Novemeber 24, 2013.

A Response to the Death of Cory Monteith

July 17, 2013/0 Comments/in Creative Writing Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cory Monteith. My heart breaks for his family, friends and Glee costars – but also for all the young people struggling with substance abuse. I wish that celebrities could be positive role models instead of exhibiting a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol for our young generation.

As a writer, my fingers hit the keyboard in response. You can read my two (similar) articles in the links below. If you like my message, please share the articles. We can make a difference, one small act at a time.

Winnipeg Free Press

Victoria Times Colonist

My Memoir “Expecting Sunshine”

July 2, 2013/0 Comments/in Creative Writing Inspirations, Creative Writing Update, Memoir "Expecting Sunshine" /by Alexis Marie Chute

I mentioned in an earlier post that I have written a book. It is one of my greatest passions and I would like to tell you a little about it.

On a side note I am presently editing the book, literally as this post flies into your virtual mailbox so to speak, I am scratching out lines, clarifying ideas and biting my nails to hone this work into the best it can possibly be.

I began writing “Expecting Sunshine” when I was pregnant with my now year old son Eden. Eden’s older brother died in my arms at birth from a cardiac tumor. Life was impossibly flawed from that moment on. When I became pregnant with Eden, after a difficult time I call my “Year of Distraction,” I realized I must deal with my grief before my next child arrived.

“Expecting Sunshine” is about the 40 weeks of pregnancy leading up to Eden’s birth. It shows me at my lowest and ugliest, struggling to let go of one child while my stomach grows with another. “Expecting Sunshine” is an ode to loss, a goodbye to innocence and a picture of the practical struggle of one woman learning to hope and believe again.

My goal is to expose my experience and the paths I traveled to find healing after loss. It has been a nightmare but in the end, love is worth it all and my sons, Zachary and Eden, and my daughter Hannah have taught me so much. If I could change my circumstances, I would without a second thought. Of course I can’t, so instead I have labored at grief and “Expecting Sunshine” is my story.

As I am new to the publishing game, I am still working out the details in the concrete matter of ‘how will I get my book into your hands,’ but I’m not worried. It will happen when the timing is right.

I am extremely passionate about helping others who have lost a child. If that is you, please connect. I’d love to hear from you. If you would like to read “Expecting Sunshine” please let me know, send me your contact info, and I will keep you updated. Until then, you can read more about my experience on my blog Wanted, Chosen, Planned – Life after the Loss of a Child.

Artist in Residence Meet and Greet Today

June 20, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

After you enjoy Harcourt House’s members exhibition, Kinetic, and gobble up a delicious burger on the lawn in front of the gallery, come find me in the Annex building for the Artist in Residence meet and greet. I will be giving a poetry reading and doing a woodworking demo.

One of my wood sculptures that incorporates Jenga and pieces of wood I cut into a whimsical structure.

See you tonight!

Click here for the address and more details.

Here are some of my Artist in Residence updates:

December 2012 Update

New Work, Residency and the Groove

March in the Studio, AIR Update

Artist in Residence interview on Shaw TV

Open Art Studio, Open Heart

June 18, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update, The Yum Factor /by Alexis Marie Chute

It’s time for the Artist in Residence meet and greet at Harcourt House!

This Thursday night I will be opening my art studio in the Harcourt Annex for visitors. I will also be giving a poetry reading and doing a demo of my woodworking techniques. This coincides with Harcourt’s annual member’s exhibition; this year the theme is Kinetic. It’s going to be a great night! Also in store: a complementary BBQ on the grass in front of the gallery (YUM!) and a free life drawing workshop.

I truly love what I am working on in my studio at Harcourt House. My art is full of color and shape. Come Thursday, June 20th and see for yourself.

The body of art I am creating during my residency is called “The Quiet Rebuild” and is a visual picture of healing and rebuilding one’s life after hardship.

For me, the hardship was losing my second child to a cardiac tumor in 2010. Since then I have been slowly (sometimes extremely slowly) and quietly rebuilding my life. I have found that art became and remains an important tool and expression of my grief and search for hope. Everyone will find meaning in this artwork.

I am working with a lot of wood, both natural and manufactured in “The Quiet Rebuild.” Other materials I am using include yarn, Jenga blocks, paper, and acrylic paint. Oh and photography as well. I feel such an amazing connection with my art and am looking forward to sharing it with our local community within my studio, where all the magic happens!

The poem I will be reading speaks to the time I lost my son, whom we named Zachary. I am currently working on branding (burning) the poem onto wood panels. I will share more about the meaning of the poem and my wood burning technique at the demo.

Click here for specific info about the Kinetic exhibition and Artist in Residence meet and greet. Hope to see you there!!

This is a fish-eye photo of my poem I am branding onto wood panels. Come to the Artist in Residence meet and greet to hear a reading of the poem and see my wood burning techniques first hand.

Art Adopted to a Happy Home

June 13, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

The Harcourt House Art Market was a huge success! Plus, my wonderful assistant Kaila sold her first painting for me. I will miss “New Land 3” but it has found a good home with John & Anne. They emailed to tell me that they hung the painting on the west wall of their sitting/family room which opens to their kitchen so they are able to look at it and enjoy it often.

“New Land 3” comes from a series of three mixed media paintings which I created while living and working as a fashion and wedding photographer in New Zealand. The artwork contains acrylic paint, plastic, photographic imagery, sand and sea shells. The collection is vivid and bold.

John Elliot & Anne Macdonald, proud owners of “New Land 3” Artwork by Alexis Marie Chute

If you are looking for art, “New Land 1” and “New Land 2” are still available. Contact me if you are interested. They too are looking for happy homes. (They work splendidly as a diptych…)

Artist Interview on Shaw TV

June 12, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Art Update, Artist in Residence, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update, Press & Media /by Alexis Marie Chute

How do media people do it? Shaw TV filmed me working in my art studio at Harcourt House and out in nature taking photographs for two hours and they made an amazing artist interview boiled down into three minutes. But what amazing three minutes they are!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn0uhGDvr5U&w=600&rel=0]

Art & Craft Lovers, the Harcourt House Art Market is Today!

May 25, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Fundraising, Gallery Openings /by Alexis Marie Chute

Need a reason to get out of the house today? Come from your house to ours! I’ve got just the thing for you: The Art Market in ‘da House. Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre. One of my favorite artists will be there: yours truly of course!

The Harcourt House Art Market is unique as it takes place right in the gallery and each artist’s booth acts as a mini exhibition. This is an event you don’t want to miss if you are an art lover in Edmonton. Come support the gallery and purchase original art from local emerging and established artists. There will be something for everyone, traditional art to experimental works. Even craft and design!
I will also be selling my new favorite goodies: sweet smelling candles and creative cards.

Come out for a great Saturday event! Here are the details:

Art Market

An art and design show and sale

Saturday, May 25^th, 2013

1:00 – 7:00pm

Harcourt House Gallery

10215-112 Street

Entry by donation

It will be a great day as my work shares the gallery walls with these amazing artists:

Kristen Anderson
Drake Avila
Alexis Marie Chute
Matthew Clark
Nancy Corrigan
Larysa Eliuk
Kari Fell
Shiela Gosselin
Sabine Hahnel
Zach Hoskin
William Johnson
Kari Martin
Hilary Mussell
Laura O’Connor
Andrew Olivier
Judi Popham
Deltra Powney
Claire Reid
Caitlin Richardson
Emily Sedor & Lucy Hlachuk
Ruby Serben
Ellie Shuster
Sean Simpson
Kelsey Stevenson
Keith Turnbull

Fashion for Freedom a Huge Success for A21

May 2, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Fashion & Art, Fundraising, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

Last Saturday saw conceptual clothing, or art-ware, walk the runway at Fashion for Freedom, an event that raised money and support for the A21 Campaign. The event was a smashing success bringing in around $7000. Poiema Productions did a fabulous job and are such a wonderful group of ladies! I look forward to future collaborations with them.

A21, which stands for abolishing injustice in the 21^st Century, aims to shift the negative tides of human trafficking – a very real problem even in our day and age, even in Canada. Jessica Corbeil shared her experience working with A21 and the importance of the issue . For more info about the campaign, visit: www.thea21campaign.org

With over 20 designers, an amazing dance performance Entrelacement Dance of the Edmonton School of Ballet and a musical number written specially for A21 performed by Jeremy Blackwood– the event was a creative smash up of amazing talent. (If you missed Fashion for Freedom this year, attend in 2014! Poiema Productions is gearing it up to be an annual fundraiser.)

Two of my dresses walked the runway. One is made out of party confetti – over 16,000 pieces of it! The other dress is constructed of shower curtain and shower curtain rings. I want to thank my amazing model, Whitney Allen! It was a pleasure!

To learn more about Fashion for Freedom and to get involved in the 2014 event, please visit: www.fashionforfreedom.ca

Here are some photos of the event.

Entrelacement Dance of the Edmonton School of Ballet

Party confetti dress by Alexis Marie Chute

Fashion for Freedom A21 photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute -003a

Party confetti dress by Alexis Marie Chute

Mylar dress by Christa Joy Hoefling

End of Avant guard runway show

Shower curtain dress by Alexis Marie Chute

Plastic wrap dress by Andrew Doerksen

Grocery bag dress by Katie Foisy

End of the Couture runway show

Musical performance by Jeremy Blackwood

Wanted, Chosen, Planned Nominated for a Yeggie

April 4, 2013/0 Comments/in Awards /by Alexis Marie Chute

It is with much excitement that I announce that my blog, Wanted, Chosen, Planned, has been nominated for a Yeggie, Edmonton’s New Media Award.

The Yeggies honors local content creators and social media mavens in our city. We have an abundance of talent in Edmonton and I am thrilled to be counted amongst many greats! Wanted, Chosen, Planned is a blog where I write about “Life After the Loss of a Child” and strive to encourage those whose baby is taken too soon. Through heartfelt posts from my personal experience I reach out to those suffering from loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS and early infant loss. My son Zachary died in 2010 from a cardiac tumor and since then I have been experimenting with this strange thing called “grief” and it’s associate, “healing.”

Wanted, Chosen, Planned is one of six blogs in the “Best in Family or Parenting” category.

The awards will be given out at a happening event on May 4, 2013 at the Shaw Conference Centre, Salon 11/12 (7:30pm), hosted by Trent Wilkie. Buy tickets online!