Day six is exciting for me! Eleven artists for whom we are grateful. Now, specifically, when she was speaking on the challenge, she was listing musicians, but for me, personally, it is broader than that. Art is all encompassing, while music most certainly is an immense and vast part of my life, there are definitely some other kinds of artists I am grateful for.

Music. It is life. We have a compact disc collection of over 1200 units. Plus a few hundred digital units. We love music. I love music. My favourite? Canadian. I cannot get enough of my Canadian musicians. I am so appreciative of the talent we have here – I wish more people took the time to explore it. Again, not sure there is an order here.

1. Whitehorse (Luke Doucette & Melissa McClelland) – an electric Canadian duo originally from Toronto but now residing in Winnipeg. They are one of the first concerts my husband and I went to (when we started going out again after our son was born) and I am thankful for them because they reignited a passion in my marriage and friendship with my husband.
2. Corey Hart – he spoke to me when I was teenager and inspired me. Inspired my love of music, my desire to be musician. People often wondered if I shortened my name because of him – I did not, but it was a likely assumption because of how much I liked him. One regret – never being able to see him in concert.
3. Basia Bulat – amazing (newer) contemporary folk musician. I’ve seen her twice in concert now (or is it three). Her voice is liquid gold. Think Stevie Nicks meets a band of angels. I like her style and her music even more. I am grateful for her music as it sings to me.
4. Bryan Potvin – he is a songwriter and guitarist, most notably with the Northern Pikes, but has two solo albums and a side project with Kevin Kane of the Grapes of Wrath. His songs just got me. Both those with the Pikes but his later solo work. River of Hope is a favourite.
5. The Northern Pikes – absolute favourite Canadian band and the one I’d take to an island and listen to forever and ever. The world is a better place because of their music.
6. Colin James – his rendition of Into the Mystic is the best and should be played if I have a funeral. One of his albums is always in rotation if I pick the Saturday morning play list.
7. Moist – classic 90’s Canadian rock band but with deeper lyrics. David Usher, their lead singer was a force and a talent. His solo work is excellent too.
8. Chantal Kreviazuk – she is a woman we should aspire to be like. Singer/songwriter/humanitarian. Wife/mother. I adore her. She is brilliant musically, having written songs for literally everyone. Josh Groban, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Drake, Mandy Moore, Kelly Clarkson, Shakira – everyone.
9. Emily Carr – her work is inspired. We got to not only see her work at two galleries when we were on Vancouver Island in 2017, we got to tour her house in Victoria. Being she is one of my favourite artists, it was an experience. As such, you’d think we’d have one of her pieces. We don’t she’s crazy famous. We do have a print though.
10. L.S – my sister. She paints. It is amazing. I wish she’d take it up again. But life.
11. LS Scenic Studio – a former coworker. She paints too and is also amazing. Focusing on areas she travels to, her work and process amazes me. She shares it on Facebook, please check her out and support local artists!

Unsure what I am talking about? You can catch the intro post here, but in short… The wellness studio I go to is running a free workshop this week, Elevate & Illuminate: A Free Lion’s Gate Portal Offering. Trista, the owner, is presenting live everyday, a gratitude challenge or assignment where we are tasked to come up with 11 things on a set idea or prompt. So, after the eleven days, we will have eighty-eight things or moments of gratitude.