Graduation Exhibition – Vienna Academy of Visionary Art

Well there you have it folks!  I’ve graduated from the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art!  My wonderful chapter of overseas art education is almost over.  During the past 10 months,  I’ve successfully completed two full-time trimesters at the Academy and other classes, workshops, and artist-in-residence experiences in Bali, Italy and here in Vienna. Wow! What a great year indeed! Thanks again to all those who invested in my dream (through art sales, crowdfunding, donations, etc.), making it possible for me to follow my Spirit Calls.

INNER WORLDS: GRADUATION EXHIBITION

It’s not quite over yet though.  Our graduation exhibition runs until June 28th (open daily 11am – 6pm).  There’s so much beautiful work from all my classmates.  My Silent Auction runs until June 24th at 6pm (in Vienna only).

Exhibition Opening:

We had the opening on Friday – so much work to prepare and so gratifying to share.  I was happily interacting at the Pay What You Want tables and being a part of the graduation speeches/video presentation that I forgot to take any pictures during the evening.  Sorry… You’ll have to believe me that we had quite the party.  Music, dancing, healthy food, live painting, and lots of interesting and touching conversations.  Of course there was also lots of stunning artwork to see from students and teachers. The wall of large pieces opposite mine is filled with amazing paintings that the students will continue to work on next year – works in progress that show some of the stages of the Mischtechnik.  I got a few bids on my work, but it wasn’t a big art buying crowd that night (although we all did well at the Pay What You Want tables (which still have work on them).  I can only hope that word will spread about the exhibition and the silent auction so that we can all continue to fulfill our purpose on this earth.

Free Your Expression Workshop Conclusion:

It’s been a big week.  The rest of Amanda Sage’s workshop was great  – more raw food, more painting, more learning. I really like how my stylized figures are evolving .  All the little paintings I created during the week, including this one you haven’t seen yet, were quickly grabbed at the PWYC table – a good feeling indeed.

We ended the workshop with a closing clrcle – half paintings, half painters.  Each got a chance to share about their experience and process and received feedback and/or thanks. What a lovely group. I’m glad that many of the participants stayed in town for our Opening

Celebration Breakfast:

I’ll admit, I’m very tired today.  I was at school helping to set up until 11:30pm on Friday and got home at 1:30am on Saturday after the opening.  On Sunday morning, I got up early to meet with my new friends Helmut and Regine (whom I met in Italy and who came to Vienna to be a part of my graduation celebration). How sweet and wonderful it was to have them here.  We met at a café near Schönbrunn Palace for breakfast.  I don’t usually like breakfast foods in restaurants, but I sure liked what I chose on Sunday:  rhubarb strudel and an exotic fruit sundae with lemon and mango ice cream, exotic fruits, nuts, and whipped cream.  I needed the sugar to wake me up and give me the energy to manage the exhibition from 11am – 5pm.  Different students and our managing director will be running the exhibition until its end, so please come visit!

What’s Next?

I’m glad to report that after an intensive year of workshops, I’m very much looking forward to time alone in my own studio to integrate everything I’ve learned and to see where that takes me.  I’ll be moving back to Canada into the home of a like-minded spirit who lives by a river surrounded by greenery in St. John’s Newfoundland. It has ample space for me to paint in. Yay!  The more I think about this new space I’ve manifested, the more excited I get.  I’m so grateful for this chapter that is coming to a close, but equally excited about the new chapter ahead. Let’s see where continuing to live in the new normal takes me next.