1. When my mum was in her 80s, one of her favourite sayings was this: “Every 15 minutes, it’s breakfast!” It was her way of noting that time continued to speed up as she aged.
   

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3. Last week, I turned 65 - and NOW I understand what she meant. Which is my excuse for editions of Brush Strokes coming further and further apart.
   

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5. Better late than never, though: Here’s the latest edition, with invitations to various events.

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1. Your Artistic Style Workshop - ALSO Oct. 16-18
   

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3. Every year, I offer two workshops on finding and refining your personal artistic style, which are often sold out. This coming weekend - at the same time as the Sidney Fine Arts Show - was no exception. Then earlier this week, three students were forced to cancel. Which leaves three spots open if you can make it.
   

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5. You’re welcome to stay with us Friday and/or Saturday night, too - which would make it easier to attend the Sidney Fine Art Show (above). For more details on Your Artistic Style, check out http://www.pearcepaintings.com/Your_Artistic_Style.html.
   

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7. As I write this, Deborah is plotting and concocting lunches of roasted squash soup (from our garden), Russian borscht (partly home grown), smoked salmon and spinach salad, a chocolate fondue, and other delicacies for the weekend. And I’ve just finished roasting a fresh batch of coffee beans for when anyone needs an energy pick-me-up.
   

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10. Saanich Peninsula Fall Studio Tour - Oct. 24-25
    

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12. Then next weekend is the Community Arts Council’s annual fall studio tour, with 18 venues open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Please drop by to see my latest work, and to share a piece of Deborah’s wicked shortbread, a glass of wine, or a cup of the aforementioned coffee.
    

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14. Here’s a link to the brochure that lists all 18 venues. (There are a couple of errors - the brochure says 2014, but it really IS the 2015 tour. It also says I’m in West Sidney, which will be confusing if you come in heading west on East Saanich Road and see the Welcome to North Saanich sign. My studio is in North Saanich, so when you see the North Saanich blue heron sign, you’ll know you’re close.)
    

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17. Next Brush Strokes
    

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19. Portraits. They’re hairy, they’re scary - are they worth the angst? I’ll tackle this subject next month.
    

1. If you’re in the neighbourhood, please drop by the Sidney Fine Art Show at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. I’d love to see you at my painting demo on Friday, Oct. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m., or to catch up on Saturday at Meet the Artists Night, from 6:30 to 9. Here’s my painting chosen for the show, called Golden Girl:

1. The Sidney Fine Art Show - Oct. 16-18