Philip Stephen's blog

Please Support "The Underwear Affair"

I’ve joined BC Cancer Foundation’s Underwear Affair - and will run 10K to uncover cures for cancers below the waist.

It’s not only fun, but it fights prostate, colon, and ovarian cancer, among others. I’ll be just one of thousands of people gathered on the streets of Vancouver this summer in the biggest Affair this town has ever seen!

What can you do about it? You can donate to me! Don’t be shy - it’s about giving these devastating cancers some exposure and shedding some light on their cures. So please help me in my effort to raise money for care and research for cancers "down there!"

I have joined the "Flamenco Junkies" Team to support Jennifer Fitzpatrick whose mom is currently battling cancer, and in memory of my own mom.

I have not ran any distance in a long time, so your support is appreciated.

(I ended up raising $410 and had a grand time walking about with many other folk in their underwear.)

Phil.

"Into the Woods" To Support SPES

If you go "Into the Woods" today...
Extraordinary Concert to Support SPES

On May 28^th and 29^th, two branches of Vancouver's entertainment community, together with Christ Church Cathedral's Green Group and the Cathedral Guild for the Arts, will go "Into the Woods" as part of a special presentation to raise money for the continuing conservation and support of the restoration of Stanley Park.

Actor/director, Peter Huck and actor Christopher Shyer, one of the lead performers of CTV's hit show, Whistler are joining forces with other outstanding musical theatre talents, in a unique collaboration to present in concert, Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods as a benefit for the Stanley Park Ecology Society. When Shyer and Huck, who was the director and driving spirit behind the very successful September in the Cathedral with Sondheim, met on the set of Whistler, they discovered that they shared a passion for Sondheim's music, as well as a desire to "do something" to help the cause of restoring Vancouver's centerpiece, Stanley Park. From that encounter came this project.

The winner of three Tony awards, and five Drama Desk Nominations, Into the Woods features a clever blend of modern themes with characters from classic fairy tales, including Jack and the Beanstock, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. The first act follows the characters' quest for "happily ever after," but in the second act "reality sets in where people leave you, people pass away and sometimes we're left to our own devices to make a go of it," explains Shyer.

Huck notes that the play's theme of considering choices and consequences is particularly relevant to the benefit for Stanley Park because of current global environmental concerns. "We need to make choices now that are going to drastically improve the lives of our children and affect our future in a positive way," he says.

The upcoming Into the Woods presentation will also feature David Adams, Melissa Dye, Sarah Gay, Sandra Head, Sarah Hattingh, Annabel Kershaw, Caitriona Murphy, Ingrid Nilson, Scott Perrie, Stellina Rusich, Cailin Stadnyk, Sanders Whiting and Colleen Winton, with music direction by Scott Knight of Vancouver's A Little Knight Music. Into the Woods will be performed at Christ Church Cathedral on May 28th and 29th at 8 pm.

Tickets are $20, and will be available at the door. For advance tickets or further information call: 604-682-3848 ext 30

(Some of my artwork will be featured in a slideshow on the night of the performances.)

Phil.

Street Artworks Fundraiser Party on May 16th

Street Art Works Fundraiser

Street Art Works Mentorship Society assists youth on the margins in developing vocational skills through creative, artistic endeavors. Please support Street Art Works in continuing its commitment to providing youth with creative and positive alternatives.

www.streetartworks.com

Date: May 16th, 2007
Time: 7:30 PM - midnight or more.
Location: The Lamplighter, 210 Abbott Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $20.00 (available at The Lamplighter)

Details:

Silent Auction (items available for preview at www.streetartworks.com)
Door Prizes and a 50/50 Raffle

Appetizers by Boot n’ Sombrero (served 7:30pm to 8:30pm)

Live Entertainment:
Luke Blu Guthrie - http://www.myspace.com/lukeguthrie
Rider Jones - http://www.myspace.com/riderjones
Cosmedic - http://www.myspace.com/cosmedic
Buckle Up Russia - http://www.myspace.com/buckleuprussia

A piece I made will be auctioned off, so this may be your chance to get an orginal Phlip Stephen painting while supporting a good cause.

“Connection”
30 x 36 Acrylic

These elemental figures embody the primal joy of connecting through movement and energy. They are part of a family of paintings that celebrate the beauty and divinity in all people.

“Connection” was commissioned by Corina Carrol. Corina lovingly donated the piece to raise funds for the Street Artworks Mentorship Society.

I am glad that my piece can continue to be part of the connective power of art in action.

Phil.

My Life is Blessed

I am enjoying moments of random connection with good folks these days.

I was on my way home from Windsor House where I had been running an art workshop and needed a bite to eat before going to the library. I stopped at a pizza joint and plunked down two small paintings of mine on a table before going to order.

Much to my disappointment, they did not take debit, and I had no cash. As I left, I noticed two young ladies checking out my art.

My mind was on food, so I went into the pizza shop next door but they did not take debit either.

When I stepped out into the street, one of the young ladies were there and she asked if she could buy me a slice of pizza.

It was a strange place for me to be in. I have enough money to feed myself. She clearly wanted to be kind and helpful, so I graciously accepted.

It turns out they were interested in my artwork. We chatted for a bit about art and life. They were just graduating and were figuring out where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do.

I found a zine of mine to give them as a trade for the pizza.

All and all, it was an enjoyable random event that put a smile on my face and reinforced my perspective that the world is a grand place and people can be a pretty rocking part of it.

I was not clear on what work I would do over the summer, but now it is likely that I will have some shifts with Vancouver Coastal Health's program for youth with Concurrent Disorders on the North Shore, so that is pretty keen.

I have a few commissions to work on for paintings, logo work, and photo sessions. A publisher is interested in my children's story called "Ogre For a Day." I have begun to write an early chapter-book as well.

And last night a skateboarder rescued my bike from being stolen. That was a lucky break. He did not want any reward or anything for it.

I am in a loving partnership with an amazing woman, am doing the work I want to do, and live in a city that is absolutely gorgeous during the summer.

Life is grand.

Phil.

Creative City Conversations

I attended a day long conference put on by the city of Vancouver to develop a 10 year plan for the development of arts and culture just the other day.

It was an extraordinary opportunity to give input, to network with other people who work in arts and culture, and to hear inspirational speakers from Canada, the US, and the UK.

I encourage all of you to visit the Creative City website through the link below to see what is happening, give your input, and find out how you can get involved.

Push for the Cure Art Auction Closed

So the board I donated to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research has been auctioned off. It went for a price of $300 to a fellow named Geoff.

I am glad that I could have been part of such an awesome event and am very thankful for Benjamin and all the folks at Push for the Cure for organizing it.

Phil.

Recycled Art Works Vancouver (RAW)

RAW is a new non-profit in the lower mainland.

Our mission is to connect with industry and organizations to rescue materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. These materials are provided at low or no-cost to artists and community groups to create art with. We also provide workshops on how to reduce waste and re-use materials in creative and clever ways.

I am new to the mix and have just joined the board of directors, but they have been throwing arts n' craft parties for at Rhizome and running a few workshops with youth in Surrey.

Our papers are being processed and we should have official non-profit status in a little over a month. This is pretty exciting stuff.

It is grand to be part of a project that reflects my values for sustaining the planet and connecting community groups. If you have an idea of how you would like to help out, please contact me or check out our webpage.

www.recycledartworks.org

My Work in a Children's Literature Magazine

My art was in the first issue and will be in the second issue of a new Children's Literature magazine made in the Lower Mainland: Crow Toes Quarterly.

The second issue is available now and includes my art on the cover!

Please visit their website to order your copies today!

Push for the Cure Art Auction

Last summer four guys skateboarded 8000km across Canada to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Vancouver artists are creating an inspiring art exhibition of 20 hand-painted boards to commemorate the Push For The Cure skaters and continue their honourable fight.

A skateboard I painted and donated to the "Push for the Cure" campaign will be auctioned off at the Push For the Cure Website. Visit their site to see my board and boards by other local artists.

Bidding ends on April 12th.

Vancouver Video

This video was shot and edited by myself,
mostly from the passenger seat of Brad's van as we drove
through the beautiful city of Vancouver, BC, Canada.

,
Check out Brad's band on myspace:
www.myspace.com/muskellunge

with apologies and appreciation for the shadowy men.

Philip Stephen's blog

If you go "Into the Woods" today... Extraordinary Concert to Support SPES

If you go "Into the Woods" today...
Extraordinary Concert to Support SPES