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I created this blog mainly to introduce the artist that I am in an informal way. As you browse through my creations, you will find that I have shared my thoughts as I have created these images, how they were born, and why. I’ve put in the good, the bad and the ugly because that is life.
As for the rest of it, it is what is happening in my life at the time.
Enjoy
November 30, 2009
I still haven’t received the last part of my scholarship this is the last week of instruction in this semester. Hmmm, don’t know what to think about that. Called many a time, but……….I passed all my courses and also managing to complete my Fine Arts Diploma with a minor this April! Never knew I would ever end up in University….Never did.
My favorite course, loved all my courses and instructors, but my favorite course became Art History. That course opened so many ideas in my mind and answered so many questions that I had in my life concerning how things came to be regarding the images of Christ, the stories in the bible, etc; I also learned to surf the web for information, never really done that before, learned many new tools, had fun signing my artwork in the way the very first artists Greece ever did………..Polyklitos made me………..well, I created an Indian Ink piece and I signed it………….Micheline made me……I loved that, it was way too cool. I have forgotten how to upload work on this site, I wish I could remember….maybe I will….and then I will upload my new work…………so many images………..but each one promises to have my reactions attached to them just like the others.
September 23, 2009
Just received the paperwork to sign for the scholarship, man, its going slow…………….but at least it’s going
September 8, 2009
Started university today, only one glitch, I got declined for my student loan. UGH! Of course I paid it, receipt staring me straight into my face, so doing the paper trail from one province to another and thank God for daughters, cause my eldest has taken it in her sweet heart to go pick up my proof of payment for me in AB, Im in BC, anyways: Student finance want proof, only, where do you send this proof. Did you know the student finance turn down all calls or emails sent to them by use, their clients…….hmmmm
Now…do I continue on going to school hoping that all the deal is non payment of old loan, once proofed, will there be another set back, Creator, Please hear my plea, make it right for me …..I hate being an artist at heart, the clutter that follows me everywhere, the lapses in income from a career that has chosen me, I had no choice…..gotta do it,,,,,,,,,,,,,its in my blood……..the curse of an artist…….ugh……….the dangers of chemicals,,,,,,no work space available, supplies are meager, to create and then to market………….ugh, I call that pissing on my parade ………..and I love to do art, to tell a story, to put my feelings unto a canvass and I hate being an artist, and I love being an artist…………….I hate tug o wars……….lol, just ranting, I guess……………..anyways, I will go to school till I know I cannot………………..pay……Creator, I know you hear me and thank you for your directions, I do hope I hear you right….micheline
August 2009
I feel sooooo sad tonight, but I have no reason to be…………i am of decent health, have a comfortable apartment, and live on an island, something I have always wanted to do…..am waiting to enter the Vancouver Island University to take The Fine Arts Program there, but i feel sooooo sad…..i feel in limbo……………..no friends here as of yet, been here since March,………..but cannot walk more than 20 steps so it is hard for me to get out there and feel a part of society………..makes it hard for me to mix with the community…….do go out but…far and few between those times.
I have immersed myself into a game called Farm Town and it was fun,,,,,,,,,but it takes you only so far,,,,,then it is done………so what then, cannot drown my isolation in a game forever, don’t like TV much, don’t drink, don’t smoke or smoke up, don’t do casinoes or bingoes any more……….its all good that I don’t but………………..I need something and can’t seem to put my finger on it………..
It’s all good that i am off of sugar, white bread, butters and margarines, etc., and should be happy and proud of myself, i am proud, but i still am soooo sad………..everything is good…………so ………why ……….am …………i ………..so …………..sad????
i live in isolation so far, awesome hubby keeps me on the up and up, my dog, Bowser does his best too for a 10 month old, but still, i feel the weight of sadness around me……….is it my sadness, or am i taking it on from a neighbour or so…………..i am so in need of meeting a kindred soul, to share the times with me…………..been very fortunate to have had the pleasure and the honor of having 2 such freinds in Peace River, 1 in Penticton, 3 in Edmonton, 1 in Princeton, but have room in my heart for a kindred soul here in Nanaimo…………….so if a Nanaimoian is reading this, look me up.
Love to meet someone where we can laugh till the tears are running down our cheeks, where we can just sit and be quiet and yet communicate aplenty, where we can share what we know to enable the other to grow and also to enjoy the moment for what it is…………….why can’t i have a friend who just is………no reason other than we are friends………….through thick or thin………..agree to agree or disagree………to try out new things…….to to to…………………
Where are you………….my new friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,where are you?
November 2008
Wow, Life sure has gotten interesting…..hmmmm, where to start since July 2008Well, we are still managing that 16 apt block apartment. I enjoy the people who live here. We all live in harmony, that…I am soooo thankful for, thank the Creator. Something new has come up, the building is shifting, so much so that 2 inch breaks in the bricks on the outside can be seen especially where the entrances are. I wonder if the outside walls will collapse, it looks like the shifting has done mega damage throughout the building…. the drywall in the bathroom has a crack running horizontal from one end to the other, being on the third floor I often wonder if the weight of the snow will cave the roof in. I sure do hope not, but this scenario has happened in other buildings before.
After the third printing of the Caring For Me Series of childrens books, I was given the chance to redraw them, which I prayed for since the first printing, I did learn a good lesson in all of this, but I had to turn the opportunity over to another artist since I did not wish to be rushed to do 5 childrens books in 6 weeks again. It did not allow me to do my best work, the last ones were rushed, too rushed, my name goes on the books, the books are in public hands and the work is not up to par. A bad combination all around so I informed the publisher to find someone else if I would not be give 7 months like other illustrators are given. Yes I work consistently and am dedicated but that is no reason to give me rush jobs even though I complete the work on time. Once, I did it to help the publishing company, but twice, that is digging myself in a hole and not allowing myself to be honored and now I am stress free.
Art and I started working for Northern Lights Security, an Aboriginal firm. The pay is fair comparing to mainstream pay, and the owners actually see us as human beings. And the work is definitely there, all the hours you can handle, except I over did it for my very being is now suffering fatigue. Art has had no problems in doing it, 12 hours shifts, 4 on and off, but myself, I made it for 6 weeks and then poof, down I went. It’s been two weeks now that i have been home, still feeling very rough and too boot, I caught a cold as well. ….. I haven’t had a cold in years, maybe 6 or so, but I guess I wore myself down too much and could not fight it off, its not too too bad, but I have a hard time catching up with ma nose. lol.
The upside of this job, is we get to eat….real goodand healthy food; fruits, veggies, good cuts, all kinds….no worries to what to get and not get, no worries about watching the almighty penny, no worries about wondering if we have enough to get fruits and meats, you get the gist of things, don’t you? Oh yeah, and we still have money left over after the bills, after the groceries, after, after, after……to the point that I once received a phone call saying: would you please not pay your bills ahead, it messes our accounting books. I like that….here have some more moneys, let’s mess up those books even more. REVENGE!!!! I now own back my power.
Next, my grandson, Nathan finally stopped being competitive with his new sister and suggested for me to pick her up. That surely was nice. I wondered how long it would take for him to share me with her. Waiting for him to come to terms with it all was worth the wait. He is soooo loving her, in every way, it is a gift to see it in his heart. His sister, Adrinna, is not walking yet, could be but is perfectly happy walking about the house on her knees, yes, I said…..knees…… its’ too funny. This little lady walking about just like the rest of us, but on her knees. She greets us that way, knees her way up to us to be picked up as soon as she knows we are there, and I cannot help but laugh this pure sense of joy at that very sight. She should be at least two feet tall, but no, she’s a foot and a half and she hoofs it pretty darn fast too. Never saw that in a child before. One of a kind.
A new addition to our family, a four legged one. Meet “My Girl” ….he’s, yes I said he… he’s 7 weeks old, Chihuahua Yorkie cross father is a 4 1bs. mother is 7 lbs, so he won’t get any bigger. Why MY GIRL? Cause those are the first words that come out of my mouth when I talk to him. Can’t help it, it just happens….. and I figure, if my daughter can have a cat named Chicken, I can name my dog, Ma Girl. Now to try and explain that to my 5 year old grandson, Nathan for he takes things very seriously. He’ll argue, “but gran ma, that puppy is a boy, you can’t call him Ma Girl” “Give him a boys name, gran ma”
Well people, till the next time I drop by
Oh yeah, visit me on facebook under Micheline Hamelin New works to be seen there.
Its July 27, 2008
Wow what a year it has been once again. I’ve been in Alberta for quite some time now and finding a new home was one of my immediate concerns, not because where I was was not good but because I love having my own place. Once in Alberta, I stayed at my daughters in St. Albert. I loved the house, it had potential, and it was huge, and best of all, I got to know my daughter all over again; get familiarized with her honey, and also bond with my 2 grandchildren.
It was a good 3 month stay, all went well, and we all had room to move around, but i wanted my own home. So, I found this position on a Job site called Kijiji. Now I am a manager for a 16 apartment building next to the airport and NAIT in Edmonton.
I do like my apartment, hardwood floors and all, third floor, and privacy on my balcony, but it is somewhat dusty here. I am situated far enough above the ‘aliens’ that I am able to live in harmony within my own home.
Aliens, you say…..well…. I live in the center of chaos here, many apt buildings, small pubs, and nowhere to go unless you get on the bus. I do have a nice Vietnamese restaurant and a Value Village to feed my scrounging needs, but other than that, I live a 30 minute walk away from a mall that, unfortunately for me, does not have an art supply store. (This is where you probably see me sniveling and bawling away till the cows come home; which, of course, there are no cows around here)
Anyways, bawling ain’t gonna change things, so I decided to take up a 2 year Fine Arts Program at Grant MacEwan and I’m in the waiting list, ready to slip the program in as soon as a position is open for me to do so. Until that happens, I am booked to take on drawing courses till that happens.
From my fingers here to God’s ears and eyes, I do hope that I get called in to the Program ASAP.
2007 is a MILDSTONE for both for my hubby and myself.
December 2007
Well, Well: Good NewsI’ll be home for Christmas, yes, home. I’ve been away from home for 5 long years. All that you see in this blog and alot not put on has been what I have accomplished in that time. 2002 to 2008. well, almost, short of a week or so.
In the last 40 days, a granddaughter, Adrinna Marlise had been born a sister to her brother Nathan who loves her and accepts her with all his heart. A proud father with his peacock feathers afluttering about and a mom who is entering a new phase in life and will rediscover who she is as she is now redefining womanhood for herself.
Although I have lived in Edmonton, Alberta for 25 years, I will settle for St. Albert, just a couple of miles away from my last home. So technically, I am returning home from Princeton, BC.
For one that refused to travel, I have moved aplenty in 5 years and made some wonderful friendships along the way and experienced much but have much much more to experience.
I have changed so very much in that time, that I know adjustments both from my family and myself must happen for they must have changed plenty themselves.
The home that I am moving too allows the artistry in me to florish. I am told that I may do what I will in that place; paint, sculpt, anything that I fancy; so for me, that is a plus since everywhere else, I had to be exceptionally careful not to splash paint, etc. That always in the back of my mind has stiffled my creativity somewhat.
Although this place is only temporary, it will suffice for the moment. I am praying to the creator to direct me and my hubby to a userfriendly home where we may veg if we wish, create to our hearts content, and still have room for a user friendly environment for family and friends to enjoy visiting.
December 21, I am leaving here to arrive in St. Albert on the 23 since we have to have a night over in a motel; so my daughter orders us to do so.
The only peice missing from this picture other than family and friends and familiar stomping grounds is my son Raymond. He lives in Winnipeg and as most males are, they do not contact family much when they fly the coop and spread their wings since they are too busy with work, love life and play. I do so miss you my son.
Well time to sleep. good night all.
October 2007
The eve before gall bladder surgery. I feel all will go well. I have had a foster son since July now, and he is a Joy to nurture. He brings laughter, purpose, and sunshine into our home. Freedom 55 has been pushed aside for the choice of childhood antics for the time being. I love having him with us, he is our teacher as well. His presence here has definitely improved the quality of our lives just by being a part of our family. He has met my middle daughter and grandson and likes them very much.
New this month also is the birth of our 2nd grandchild, supposedly a girl, wow, never knew how to feel as a grandma, but here it is. The first sight of my daughter at 8 months surprised me. Her baby was wrapped right around her waist much like a tire would look if hung around her waist.
I sure do love my children and am very proud of them, my oldest daughter has traveled the world, and my youngest a son is defining himself as an adult. My step daughter is also defining herself as a caregiver early in her adulthood. Without unconditional love from my partner, I am sure the outcome of these children would have greatly been different. So I do thank you husband, friend and lover.
October 25, 2007August, 2007
I am painting prolifically once again. New creations will be entered into my site as soon as I get hold of a camera before the end of this month.
Woo hoo, we are happy to annouce that we are the proud parents of a 9 year old boy who continually inspires me to create every day. Its funny, I never had time to create when we were childless in the home, but since he has graced us with his presence, I paint every day, as well as create other projects in cardboard, create abodes in blankets and pillows, and draw.
Another wonderful gift from the creator via my daughter and son in law to be, a new grandchild and of all the dates to be born, on October 31 of 2007.
June, 2007
Well, well, Hubby has had 2 bones between his head and shoulders removed in earlier part of this year. He had no choice, since the other option was to end up in a wheelchair without the use of his arms and eventually the rest of his body. Detoriated bones were destroying his spinal chord to the extent of no more muscle mass in his arms, and absolutely no use of first his one arm and then the other. He can only hold a cup of coffee but that was with practice and patience and tuff love from me.
I show kids his scar where 36 metal staples used to reside and tell them that he did not watch while crossing the street and they understand more the consequences of an accident. White lies never hurt anyone if done deligilently.
Since the surgery, our income plummetted to $870.00 a month. Our rent is 650.00, untilities, well you get the gest. I do have good scavenging skills of which I am proud of but living in limbo not knowing and waiting and waiting and not knowing when he will be assessed as permanently unable to work will kick in is a situation I do not wish anyone to be in.
Our children have helped us in many ways, from food to paying our damage deposit, and I thank the lord for their help but I do not want to become dependent on them. It is a trap that is too easy to fall into.
I have been proud to be independant and allof our children are doing so as well, but now we are at crossroads in our life as to where can we go and live on the income we do have. Both of us at the age that we are with physically strengths and weaknesses, kinda shorten the list of possibilities.
We do have one avenue which started a year before all of this happened but with the stipulations that our landlady put in our rental agreement, it stops us from being independant. Her belief is that if I have 3 small children instead of two, too much damage can occur in the home, and thus since we do not believe in spliting a family in two or more homes, i have to turn to teenagers. Now, I often am baffled on what is going on in her mind with the issue of 3 versus 2 children.
The money is the same for their care, family rate and such, so what is her stumbling block in her brain. What makes her think that damage occurs from small children versus one teen. I think maybe it may be that she needs to control the ins and outs of this place , i do not know.
Now, back to our situation, hmmmmm, what or how or who will intervene to put things straight as they should so rightly be concerning where we can afford to live, make a living, and eat.
I do thank God each and every day, although I do not and will not go to church anymore, for the harmony that we worked so hard to achieve in our home, relationship and environment. Striving for win-win situations in all of our choices has hugely paid off to achieve that.
Although, we live mainly on a white diet, rice, potatoes, flour, macaroni, spahegetti, etc, and of course I discovered that vanilla ice cream as a sauce on noodles is sooo yummy, i learned to ration that very important vanilla ice cream as a food and no;t a treat. I am okay so far with our situation, because of the getting along with my loved ones and all those who matter in our lives. We pretty are doing it on our own. Thank the Creator for this computer where 95% of our entertainment is derived from so there is no going out much, must save gas, no cable t.v. , did find a place where we do go for a treat and that is homemade french fries for a total of 5 dollars that fills us up for a meal. hmmm, good.
It is hard not to know where tomorrow will take us, but just as we are about to give up our home to move back to Alberta, someone asks us to babysit, or offer us a meal, or something, and those little things are the greatest of all gifts that one can offer.
I love it here, a small town of 2900, one street, no mac donald, or anything, but lots of wildlife and hills and young mountains. It is easy to forget the pressing issues when a bird sings a different song, a new life emerges from the nest in the tree, a two inch long chicmunk scampering between the neighbour clutter in the back, or a hummingbird protecting his feeding space from other hummingbirds, and the vast colors of both birds, butterfulies, and flowers.
So am I living in poverty? Nahhh, only on paper, one would say so, but in the joy of getting up in the morning to enjoy nature, who cares, if cash is mighty scarce for now.
I hope and wish for devine intervention for all things to be settled so that I make plot our journey for the right to sleep well at night knowing all falls into place and the security that comes with it.
I am a visual artist, who needs country space to create, I have been proud of my journey of raising a good and independent family, instilling in them the respect of property, selves, and others. We just want to reside in a home that calls us outside to walk or inside to relax and listen to the rain. I know understand the uncertainties of young adults through all of this, how does one package themselves to get paid to do a job, the changes of their bodies, minds and spirit, the change environment forever rushing around them, the inability to achieve due to having their hands tied behind their backs because of not enough training, etc. My heart goes out to them more so now then ever before. Empty nest syndrome, to old to get a job, or too broken up and still look perfect on the outside for others not to believe you if you are hurt. and the list goes on.
Enough for tonight… time to sleep…
May, 2007
In death, my brother Phillippe has made more impact in the family than when he was alive. Now, we have family members requesting phone numbers, email addresses, and the let’s talk at least once a month requests. I believe he is instrumental in starting the cementing process and it is up to the rest of us to contiune what he has started. That is not a wasted death. I am so happy, thank you Phillippe. I love you.March 30, 2007
I haven’t cried when 8 years ago , my parents past away, 2 years ago my first brother-in-law went and I knew eventually my brothers and sisters would start going to, but not one of the youngest ones. His name is Philip St. Gelais, aged 45, i believe, in a car accident. He left behind his wife Maureen, and two wonderful young daughters. I am ashamed to say that I do not even know their names and only have seen them several times when they were very young and my brother only once last year for 15 minutes and before that , coming on to 15 or soo years. I cannot cry.
Now why am I writing this for everyone to read?
Maybe it is because not taking the time to visit my brother and his family has only robbed myself of memories that I could have had, had I not called to say ‘hi, Phillippe, how are you?”
We both are in the five youngest of 14 children. Our family has not learned how to knit themselves into a meaningful group of siblings;; maninly because of the hard upbringing that carries so many hidden skeletons that no one can handle admitting to them first off starting with what our father has done to all the children with his anger, his rages, impatience beatings and molestings.
Unfortunately that has carried on to a good number of his children, adding on to suicide attempts, and the embarrasement some of the siblings carry around knowing that some of their brothers and sisters experience as well as, burning oneself, molesting o;ther children, beating their children and wifes and probable even beating one or two husbands, drugs, depression, double personalities, scitsophrenia (excuse the spelling) poverty ridden part of the family as well as the very well to do;;;;and lets not forget the one that dares tell all.
beacuse of all o;f that, we all have run in opposite directions and pretend that we do not have the time, money, transportation etc etc etc, to gather together and say ;; HI so and so How Are You Today, no matter what their his tory is BECAUSE, after all, they are family.
for the few minutes that we may spend together in one area, can we not learn to acknowlege one another and celebrate the goodness that each of us may have accomplished in the the span of our lives. I am sure that we all have accomplished something, It is not meant to be measured by dollars, titles, expectations, but just the love of life.
Yes, it is only today that I got the email from my sister telling me to call and I knew then, because she never but once has contacted me ever before in her life to tell me to call her. I knew it was not good, I thought it was her phoning to tell me about the cancer she is dealing with, but it was that statement, “I have bad news” “Phillip was killed in a car accident!” thats all.
Numb, I am numb. Who is Philip, How do I spell his name correctly, how old is he really, when is his birthday, I don’t even know when his birthday is.
What are his girls names, how old are they, who are they. So what if I didn’t believe in h is attitude or his way of looking at life, he is my brother qnd I don’t even know who he is or even what he looks like anymore.
I never knew my fathers birthday, how about that, from the youngest to the oldest, I introduce my family
Jaqueline, saw several times and sat with a meal, I know her birthday cause it is also my moms and my wedding day cause I love them both very much
martin, never say him in 20 years
phillippe…….
Gerard, I know his birthday cause it is 25 days before mine
Aline, disappeared from my life many many years ago, saw her for the first time 2 years ago and we spend a couple of days together at her daughters
Laurent, saw him several times a long time ago , how is he
the twins born on valentines day, both very emotionaly and spiritually sick, I though t they would be the first to go
Dominique, the one that looks different from all the rest other than me, when is her birthday, know some of her kids when they were yo;nger
Gisele only now starting a sisterly relationship, when is her birthday
Marcel, I do not know much
Andre 20 years ago last heard of
Jeannette, so tuff to be with that I chose to stay away, tried a few times but ………………
so how do I define myself and my role in my family when I do not know my family
who are we
what are we
how do we reconnect like when we were younger
Yes we were sent on our way when it was time, but do we still have to hold on to that?55 nephews and neices just from them, who are they. now? I was their favorite aunty when they were young but now, who are they , who am I to them?
A major change happened when the television came into our lives, the second major change the split us up was when christmas no longer was intimate because we had to rent a hall since moms home was too small. TWO small issues causing a wedge in the construct of our family. The unseen wedge are the skeletons in the closets which continue to hold on to us for as long as we dare not reveal them’ and yet, today in the news, everybody has experienced the same as we did. The major block to our family is that we are all pig-headed, thick-skulled, and stubborn, but had we been less than that, we would have not survived what we did growing up. Isn’t that enough to celebrate toghether, that we rose above it all???
I do love my brothers and sisters, I just do not know them, what they look like or what role they play in life.
I love you Phillippe, God has you now. Mom and dad are also by your side.
New Year, Beginning our 3rd Family, a Career Change, and a New Home !
3rd Family,
I am happy to share with you that we are now fosterparents! Yeah!!! Should be interesting to see what changes will occur in my artwork.
Yes, I will get a Camera so that you all may see my work first hand.
Career Changes
Well…sorta…because he has now left behind the careers of custodian, proffessional driver, cement finisher, and is excited in being a foster parent along side myself.
For me, it will enhance my creativity since children have a knack of causing me to view the world with child-like point of view.
New Home:
Now living in a user-friendly townhome, so look for new work!
Starting with the basement, painting room/laundry room so I can do my laundry while painting. . . lol…
The top floor offer 3 bedrooms and a den. Plenty of room to create in if I wish….
Front yard offers my green thumb a chance to flourish in nature….
Backyard offers a 10 x 14ft deck to me to take in the nature, a carpet of green grass to tickle my toes, four large ponderosa trees for shade , all inviting me to paint, draw, carve and weave, and, and, and….
Main floor of my home boasts 3″ x 9″ high glass patio doors offering an unobstructed view through to the kitchen windows overlooking the front yard.
Plenty of well planned ceiling to floor build-in pine shelves in the left corner of the livingroom to show off sculptures and books, and, and, and….
Next to these shelves onto the dinning room, there is a nook long and wide enough for both my hubbby and I to enjoy our computer travels while being able to watch television on a strategically placed mirror against the wall in front of us.
The dining room is wide enough that our computers do not infringe on the integrity of its purpose to sit at the table and enjoy a fine meal and the kitchen continues on from there without a hindrance of obstruction.
The kitchen finishes off the left side of the home with an L-shape counter starting up first with cupbooards, stove, cupboards around the corner, dishwasher, sink, cupboards, and finally finishing off with the fridge.
A wonderful french door closes the kitchen off the front entrance, slides into in the wall when not in use.
So you see, I love my home. It serves us lovingly and what a wonderful way to start 2007.