Philip Stephen's blog

I have joined a group called Free Hugs Vancouver, based on a movement started by Juan Mann in Sydney Australia. The concept is simple but the effects are monumental.

We made signs with the words, "Free Hugs" on them and went to the front steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery and gave free hugs to any who wanted them. There were 4 people with signs when we arrived and I had brought 3 of my friends with me. By the end of the day, there were 20 of us, staggered up and down the streets.

I must have hugged over a hundred people in the course of a few hours. Some were quick, and others lingered. Some told stories and we chatted for a bit. Some were visably moved. Many were amused or happy and went away with a smile. Even those who did not stop often passed with a smile.

If asked what we were doing or what we got out of it, I simply said, "We are trying to make Vancouver a more friendly city." Because for all the talk of "world class city or "funcouver" we could really use some more friendliness and consideration for people from all walks of life.

If you are interested in being part of a Free Hug campaign, here are a few places you may find out more:

www.freehugscampaign.org

http://tribes.tribe.net/freehugsvancouver

 The next two Free Hugs are Saturday December 2nd at 1pm on Granville Island

and Sunday December 10th at 1pm at Grandview Park on Commercial Drive.

Come to hug or be hugged!

Arts Off Main Gallery is having a 10% off Sale

on Saturday December 2nd and Sunday December 3rd.

Our partners have been working hard

and have all kinds of new work for you to feast your eyes on.

If you are looking for gifts, this is the place to find them!

So come and join us next weekend

for hot apple cider and goodies.

216 East 28th Avenue, near Main Street.

www.artsoffmain.ca

One of my images and my name went into Vancouver's 24 Hours in an article about The Drift.

Apparently someone saw "Coming Home" in the paper and tracked me down to Arts Off Main Gallery based off of it.

So a thank you goes out to 24 Hours, for covering the local art scene in East Vancouver.

The following is the first few pages of a children's story I intend to publish titled, "Ogre for a Day." Illustrations have yet to be developed, but stay tuned for more information on my progress.

I knew something was wrong when I woke up this morning.
My brain felt three sizes too big
and my feet were smellier than I remembered.

I stumbled out of bed and looked in the mirror.
My hair was tangled and poked out all over the place.
My teeth were big and yellow.
My eyes were small and grumpy.

Yep. It looked like someone had turned me into an Ogre.
I knew something like this would happen sooner or later.
It was probably a Wizard who did this to me.
You hear a lot about Wizards these days.

That sneaky Wizard must have crept in while I was sleeping
and transformed me into an Ogre.

If I were awake, maybe I could have stopped him.
But I was sleeping like I was supposed to.
You can't blame me for that.

It's not my fault that Ogres are so loud in the morning.
I clomp tromped down the stairs to get some breakfast.
"MEAT! GET ME RAW MEAT!" I yelled to my dad.
"Raw meat is not good for young boys,"
he said without looking up from his newspaper.

"Especially for breakfast."

I have just begun my job as an artist / educator for Learning Though the Arts.

Learning Through the Arts is an international program that pairs artists with teachers to deliver core curriculum concepts in subjects such as Math, Science, Social Studies, and Languages using mediums such as dance, theatre, music, and visual arts.

It sounds really cool and I am excited to begin.

This is part of my big leap towards self employment through the arts. I am going to be looking for other venues to make an income -- such as getting my children's stories published, taking commisions for original artwork or graphic design gigs, and running creative workshops at community centres.

I will also be continuing to create shows for cafes and galleries.

As always you can find my art here, and at Arts Off Main at 215 East 28th Avenue in Vancouver.

click the link above to find more information on Learning Through The Arts.

THE DRIFT is an event that runs from September 15 to October 15 in shops and artist studios in the Main Street area.

The entire event is coordinated and driven by a volunteer community of artists and art appreciators.

Artists and their work will be featured on the walls of local shops from September 15th to October 15th.

On the weekend of September 30th to October 1st, artists will be opening up their studio space for the public to visit and see their work, as well as chat with the artist and maybe grab a nibble.

This is the third year of The Drift, and my first year participating in it.

My art will be featured at ARTS OFF MAIN GALLERY at 216 East 28th.

Find a map of where all the artists will be by clicking on the image above.

Support art, support you community, come out and have a great time wandering the neighbourhood!

The show at The Grind is down and the new show is up at Libby's Kitchen,

all in the same day!

It takes a lot of energy to put two shows together in two months!

While The Grind featured textured abstracts and found objects,

my new pieces at Libby's are simplistic images of Magick and Wonder.

Bright, colourful, happy. It is a celebration of innocence and fantasy

-- just for the fun of it.

Please stop by to check it out.

It is across from the Trout Lake Community Centre at 3249 Porter Street.

(Near Victoria and 18th)

Magick and Wonder will be at Libby's Kitchen until the end of August.

.

www.libbyskitchen.com

I have printed my "Happy Heart" image onto t-shirts!

This symbol was created at a pivotal time in my life. I was trying to decide where to go, what to do, what drives me and what is most important. This image represents a bit of the answers I found.

Have a heart and arms that are open to whatever comes... ready to embrace life and let it in... whatever form it takes... and accept it with joy... for even though life can seem prickly at times... it is also a delightful gift waiting to be accepted.

The T-shifts are available at Arts Off Main at 216 East 28th Ave and come in black, red, and purple with a white image.

They are $20 each and come in children's and adult sizes.

If you do not find the size or colour you like, feel free to contact me.