My life as of late: Art + Wedding = Success :)

Hello all.

I've decided to write a post about what has been going on with me lately.

First of all.  I just had my very first large scale light installation on display for 

NUIT BLANCHE in Ottawa.

Nuit Blanche is french for white night.  It is called white night because it is an all night art festival.  It begins when the sun goes down and ends when the sun comes up!

It originated in Paris in 1989 but has been taken up by many major cities all over the world since.

This year was the first that Ottawa participated.  Although it was not on as big of scale as a lot of the other bigger cities, it was a great success non-the-less.  

The theme of the festival was 'Life is Beautiful' and my piece was called 'Nostalgica Infectica'

My artist statement reads:

'Nostalgica Infectica'

MELISSA GARNETT 

Byward Zone - 100 Laurier Avenue East

Site specific exterior light installation made of wire, fabric & lights. 2012

Nostalgica Infectica is the involuntary feeling evoked by experiencing something that reminds us so much of our childhood. Spattered randomly, Nostalgica Infectica is the unexpected warm and fuzzy feeling that can be summoned by as little as a pattern, a colour, a smell. It spreads like mould, like a pleasant infection.

There were soo many great pieces to see that night.  My husband and friends and I all stayed out until 3am and still didn't see everything!

The other event that has just taken place was my friends Lydia and Eric's wedding.

Lyd needed some help narrowing in on what she wanted their wedding to look light and was going to hire someone to put up their decor at the reception venue.

Since I enjoy that kind of stuff and I am good at it, I offered to do the job for a small fee.

It turned out to be a great experience.

It was super stressful at times because I wanted everything to be perfect, and just like life, there were a few obstacles.  BUT in the end the obstacles were overcome and it turned out fantastically! (if I do say so myself ;)

I am quite proud of myself! 

It also helped that I had some help and support from my friends Jen and Pete who were in from out of town as well my lovely partner Mike.

So I've decided to give it a real go, this wedding decorator calling.

Only on the side for now.  But maybe one day I can decorate or coordinate and hell, maybe even plan weddings for a living.

I am currently still on the job hunt after being laid off from my teaching job so any extra skills that can be put to use are worth looking into right!?

Here's hoping that life throws some great opportunity my way soon.

I sure could use it.