Well - the highs of the mural are starting to drop a little bit and now the fatigue of the past two major events is hitting me. I just went to Calgary and back in a day and will be doing that drive three more times in the next 8 days. So it will be a bit exhausting. Especially since the givernmenet decided to gouge us even more with gas hikes!!! Sheeesh! The show in Calgary is shaping up as good as the others and I am once again excited to be heading into the 6th NOA show. Three more to go and then we begin the plans for expansion of NOA in 2005 to four new locations bringing our city count to 12 in total. Also bringing us one step closer to crossing the country and bringing artists together. Although tonight my thoughts are more about bringing my eyelids together. I am so lucky to have had such a great bunch of people to work with this year. Sooooooo lucky and I am thankful. Makes me believe even more so that there is a bigger purpose to NOA then just art...

- yikes- when I started doing this diary i thought it would be easy to keep up. But apparently its not so easy when you have to deal with a billion emails from across the country daily and also organize shows and hang out painting amazing murals with amazing people.

Well- this year is a bit of a dream. 5 shows- 5 amazing experiences... and an amazing group of people sharing wondrous moments. I can't believe my life this year and the incredible things that are finally happening. If there is one thing I want to share with everyone it is this- if you are passionate about what you are doing, and you truly believe that what you are doing can make a difference.... and you are having fun... someday all the pieces will fit. This year is the first year the pieces are fitting the way they should. The mighty mural project is a perfect example of that dream. I have never, ever, never, ever experienced such an amazing feeling as watching the artists come together and share their creativity, their thoughts, their stories, their frinedship and ... the results were even more beautiful. i am so honoured to have so many good friends though this show. NOA is an extension of my family.
Next stops include Calgary, Victoria, and Vancouver. Its going to be an amazing Summer....

Wow

Its 2 a.m. and I have just returned home from the Night of Artists opening night in Edmonton. What a show it was. I have never seen such a fine display by the troops. The fashion segment was amazing and the bands shone. From start to finish I was impressed by all that transpired. We also sold three more mural squares!!! We are doing really well and things are looking so positive for NOA. I can't thank everyone enouhg for all their efforts. Truly amazing!!

Next stop - poetry afternoon. A first for NOA.... who knows what will hapen at that. Shouild be another wonderful adventure!

The eve before set up for the biggest NOA show of the year. Three days of creative brilliance including artists, musicians, dancers, poets, and just about everything you can think of. Not sure who I am kidding when I think I can pull off this weekend show yikes haha. Actually- the people in the show this year are amazing so that is how it will work so well. CBC and the Journal have been wonderful in their support as has CKUA. I am now big fans of all three. Or should I say an even bigger fan then I was before. NOA is finally becoming a known entity in Edmonton on many levels. Still a long way to go but we grow every day.

We had a great corporate painitng party yesterday. Summer did a great job and I look forward to bringing the concept out west. It was amazing what these teams came up with. Absolutely stunning!

We have had great media attention as we have ben on Global, Shaw, Achannel and CTV tomorrow. Not to mention regular plugs on CBC and CKUA.

The mural project is reallly coming together nicely as well. Since I figured that a three day NOA show wasn;t taking up enough of my time I felt we should do this mural project the following weekend. I think my days are almost filling up now. Maybe I can squeeze in a few things in the spare hours between midnight and 6 a.m..

I have decided to re-learn my French actually as we desire to take this show out East to ontario and Quebec. We want to bring the country together through art and I think this show can do it. I also want to be able to speak the language of my heritage and also be able to talk art with the people of Quebec. I just retruned from there and i love the arts scene.
So I guess French class will be taking place at 1 a.m. until 3 a.m.. Now I just need a hobby of some sort....hmmmm

Next stop- THE BIG SHOW .... Here we go!! Ya gotta believe that good days lie ahead. I do believe it and because of that belief... it will be that way!

Just got back from Calgary where we bid farewell to Jake Mulyk as she moves herself and her artwork west to Vancouver. She will be a great addition to the coast NOA scene. Had a great meeting with Barb Radu at Kids up Front who is really doing a fabulous job getting ready for the NOA big event.
The Calgary show looks like it has great potential for a sell out at 800 guests.
The NOA mural project is coming together as well as images are selling across the country. The weekend of April 23rd and 24th will really be amazing!!

The Edmonton show is also shaping up incredibly well. The Saturday night is looking more and more like a sell out. Very exciting!!

I am actually home for the easter weekend which will be nice and i can spend some time with the family. The calm before the strom as the next two weeks will be full of incredible excitement. NOA will be on Global Tuesday a.m., Shaw cable for 24 hours non stop on the 14th, A-Channel morning show on the 15th, CFRN on the 15th, A-Channel again on the 19th... it is just non stop go go go!!

Things are really happening and this years show should be a great success!

Well- another production at the CBC studios in Edmonton that went over really well. performers were wonderful and it was exciting to see all the new art that is being created for the NOA show in Edmonton this year.
I can not believe the amount of work on our plate right now. We have Global Big Breakfast on Tuesday, Corporate painitng Party on Tuesday night, CFRN at lunch on Thursday, Set up Thursday night, Gala Dinner Fridat night, poetry workshop Saturday, Cocktail Gala Saturday and then the Folk Afternoon on Sunday. Not to mention getting all the artwork going for the mural.... yikes!!! The mighty mural project is Huge and will be something to behold when it comes together.

Exciting to see that Maria Miranda and Karel Doruyter are making the trek from Victoria. NOA is really making some good progress this year.
My head is spinning from all the activity that is happening around me. Calls everyday with new opportunities for the group. I can't keep up. So I am going to get some sleep so I am rested as I have to head to Calgary to get that show rolling and make sure we are all set on that front as well.

After being out in Ottawa and Quebec and realizing the love for the arts those cities posses- I have decided to go back to school and learn my french. Phil Alain will become Philippe Alain so when we go to the East with NOA I can speak with the people who love what we are doing out there as well!

Busy busy busy....

Hey all

Just returned from Ottawa, Quebec City and Chicoutomi. Had a great visit with Sue and alos looked at potential venues for Night of Artists Ottawa style. Now I am back home and preparing all the details for NOA Edmonton. Big show on the 16th-18th. We have a mini version at CBC on Wednesday at noon. Its a one hour performance showcasing what will be occuring that weekend.

Then off to calgary Thursday to arrange show details there.
so far all the shows have sold out and Edmontons April 17th gala is headed that direction as well. Already we are at close to 400 people attending! Very exciting!!
Lots to do so I must fly. Just thought I'd drop a quick update notice.

Hello!! Long break again from writing but definitely not a break from working. The Grande Prairie and Fairview shows were both big hits!!! The shows were fun and exciting. Los Morenos was the definite hi-lite of the night . The incredible guitar playing of Mauricio and Marvin as well as Toto and Cassius Khan on percussion - well- it was amazing to say the least! Encores were the call of the weekend!!
Both shows were sold out and the art was a hit as well. Over $25.000.00 of artwork was purchased in the two days.
Now the focus turns to Edmonton as the big show happens in less then three weeks. I am off to Ottawa to visit Sue and to look for more opportunities for NOA. I need a short break after doing 4 shows in 2 weeks. Can't be gone long though as the BIG ONE is on the horizon.
So- off to Ottawa and hopefully new adventures to bring forth.

Great day today! We had a wonderful media launch for the Edmonton show!! CKUA, CBC, The Edmonton Journal, SEE magazine, CTV were all in attendance!
Then afterwards- i received the call from the edmonton Journal indicating that they would be involved as a major media sponsor now with our mural project as well!! Woo hoo!!!
So now we must push on with the tickets sales!! I leave Thursday for G.P. and Fairview as we head into another sold out show weekend!!

Should be fantastic!!!

More later!!!

Where is Phil, where is Phil.... long time since I have updated the reports! Very busy right now and really things are going extremely well. After the first two sell outs we now have a third in G.P. and looks like Fairview is heading the same way. We have a major press conference in Edmonton on Tuesday to talk about the three day NOA event at the Westin. On top of that today Ken Christensen and I went down and did window splashes on a prime location Second Cup downtown Edmonton promoting the show!! Already getting a ton of attention. Calgary we are already over 100 tickets sold for the show and it is two months away yet. Wow!!!

We are getting a lot of attention and art is selling well at the shows. I think people are realizing that NOA art is good stuff and the people in NOA are going to make an impact!!

Very busy so i must carry on. I will try to get my groove back with the updates. I think its better that i keep the groove going with the shows then worry about the updates but if I can do both... all the better!!

Well- due to my busy schedule and the first two shows occuring my updates have lagged. However- I have great news to report!
The shows in Slave lake and Manning were both a hit! Both events were technically sold out and the evenings were simply amazing. Wendy McNeill, Dawson Walker and Lorna Wildgoose, Chris Wynters, Carla Boisvert and Blair Kennedy, The Croakin Four and the Crokin Frogs all put on a great show. Over $12,000 worth of artwork was purchased in two days and the charities raised really good numbers in both locations. The communities loved the shows and I was thanked by many people for bringing such a wonderful event to the community. It was not me that made the event wonderful though- it was the incredible artists we had, the music, the charities and their effort and the amazing sponsorship. WOW- if every show is like this we are in for an amazing 2004.
Hope to see even more people out at the remaining 6 shows on the tour. Next stop, G.P. and Fairview!!!

We have now begun the Mural Project. Its about to become a reality. Lewis and I went and began the first steps yesterday and so another chapter begins. I have been running around like mad now that my health has pretty much retrurned and this weekend the tour begins with Slave Lake and manning. It is quite exciting as our 7th year of NOA opens up with incredible optimism!! Our magazine will be completed today as well so the first ever NOA magazine will be released with exciting days ahead as people begin to read more about what we do!
Onward upward I say! Here is to the beginning of a good year!

Well- good meeting today with the Edmonton group. Things are moving along nicely. Went to one of our great musicians CD releases tonight- Wendy McNeil! The northern folk are in for a treat as she brings her charismatic performance to Slave Lake and Manning. Wow is all I have to say!
I am still fighting that darn flu bug but I am mobile at least. Three more days to be back to regular self so I will be healthy for the northern tour.

Well- I am back at it again. That's a good thing as I really had no choice. I did the 12 hour trek to Manning and back with a stop in Slave Lake along the way. I left yesterday at 4 p.m. and made it back by 8 p.m. today. So I can still get to bed and fight this darn bug. Manning is looking really solid. Amazing for a first year show. It looks like it could very well be a sell out!!! Slave Lake is getting better everyday. I am still really optimistic. We are at about half capacity heading into the final week. I think it will all come together nicely. If every charity we worked with was that committed to the cause and had that big of a committee every show would be sooooo much easier for this tired dude. But that's OK. Its getting better every year. Manning in its first year just might be the one that shows a great new way to approach things!
less then 6 days to the beginning of the 2004 tour!!!

Well- I was able to somewhat function again today so immediately I got as busy as I could. I spent the day struggling through picking up grid wall and goods for up north. Had a great article written in the Journal. I did two interviews with the Fairview Post and the G.P. Herald Tribune. Then as my energy slowly climbed I managed to get into my car and due the mandatory trip I had to make to Slave Lake and Saturday to Manning as the shows begin next weekend. Things are looking very positive. I am hoping for a strong start to the tour. I hope this 10 hour tour of driving doesn't bring back the bug... arrrgh.
The ads have now started on CKUA and will run on and off now for about 5 weeks. CBC ads will be starting soon as well. We are now in show mode. Coming to a town or city near you!! Here is to 2004.... Its a year of new beginnings!!!

It has been a rough week health wise for me so I have not been able to do anything that I wanted or needed to do. Its very frustrating but at least I believe I am getting healthier now. I have had to cancel meetings in Calgary and in Northern Alberta simply because I could not even physically get into my car as I was feeling so horrible. However Thursday afternoon I felt good enough that I was able to go pick up some grid wall for Jeanne Crandall, Shireen Douma and Michelle Vekved. I also was able to meet with Max from Redengine and did a photo shoot for a feature article in the Journal for NOA. Had a few calls I handled yesterday and then quickly back to bed in the hopes of shaking this. I HAVE to drive to Slave Lake and Manning on Saturday so I am hoping I am better soon.

Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been hit hard by the cold flu bug and am barely able to make it off the couch. Its been 5 days now of this and I am run right into the ground. The magazine proof is supposed to be ready today. Should be exciting to see. I'll have to pour myself into the car to get a look at it. I have a Rotary Club guest speaking adventure tomorrow as well as a presentation to Kids Up Front board members in Calgary and a meeting with a team builder who may get some good quality painting party connections for us. Problem is right now I can;t speak. And I am not sure if I can even drive. I am in full rest mode today. Yesterday I was still trying to do work and I think that I only got worse health wise.
I hope I am better by tomorrow because it could be a very valuable day for the show with the various meetings I have.

Hmmm
I am a little sicker today but can;t really take a break as too much to do. Had a meeting this a.m. with a great new publicist- Laura Dreger. She will definitely be a spice to our show. Also went to the Red Strap market and re-adjusted the display and brought it up front so it is more noticeable.
Then met with a wonderful bookkeeper for NOA that will make my life soooo much easier. Deb Thrall- amazing woman and a wonderful supporter of our shows. Her efforts to help out always blow me away.
Tomorrow- Lewis and I take on the mural project. Off we goooooooo.....

As the shows start to arrive my time is less and less available so my entries into my diary have fallen off a bit. I am finally at home after three days in Calgary and then straight up north to Slave Lake. Lost of travel lots of sleeping on couches and friends spare rooms. Thank God I have Been blessed with good friends or this show would make me soooo broke. Although sleeping on couches does not allow me the good sleeps and unfortunately I have gotten sick today. But I will push on. Lots happening as show deadlines approach. Serious marketing begins. Radio ads will be starting, interviews are beginning to be solicited. Lots of positive signs of good days ahead. Posters are being placed in northern Alberta and the hype is rising as we had plenty of corporate support in northern ALBERTA. Its shaping up pretty darn good in Victoria as well.
I must sleep so I can survive the next few months...

I am still in Calgary and will probably be here until Late Wednesday or early Thursday. Spent Tuesday confirming last minute sponsors via email and also writing articles for the magazine. I had a meeting with Barb Radu at Kids Up Front. Then we went and met a school who we may help out doing a large mural. The school is a really positive environment for kids that are from challenging backgrounds. I'd love to help out if we can.
Then had a GREAT meeting with the NOA crew in Calgary. They are all poised and ready to go and promote the big show. I really think this year will be the best show ever in Calgary!
So- another day in Calgary to go then home on Thursday.