In 2009, for my 36th birthday, I wrote a blog post called 36 Before 37 listing 36 things I intended to do before I turned 37. Reflective and goal-oriented lists were big at the time in the world of blogging, but seem to have fallen out of practice these days.

Today I felt like resurrecting the practice.

Voici, in no particular order, 20 things I would like to do in 2020:

finish 100 collages from the cube
work my way up to 30 minutes of movement 3 times a week, maintain this for at least 6 weeks in a row - preferably more
get a working fireplace in the living room, this may or may not include having it re-faced
show my art at a local venue
try selling prints online
take a class or workshop related to textiles (rug hooking, weaving, embroidery, etc.)
take a creative class or workshop in real life (IRL) vs. online
make a loaf of no-knead bread
dip my toes in Lake Superior
see Picasso: Painting the Blue Period at the Art Gallery of Ontario plus at least two more art exhibitions on my short list for 2020 (blog post on this to come soon)
finish the latch hook rug I started last fall
take a trip somewhere new with D.
take Daphnie - our pop-up camper - out camping at least 3 times this summer somewhere OTHER than our driveway
do a solo getaway
go see a live concert with D.
hang artwork on the dining room walls
get a mammogram
replace the old fences in our front yard
replace the outdoor shed
host a party or gathering in our home

And because I like flexibility and it’s hard for me to declare a list finite, here are a few honourable mentions:

take a surface pattern design course
scan my Sketches from the Cube, all 400 of them (500 if I achieve #1)
get the dental work I’ve been avoiding done
go down East twice
move to the country (<— WHOA!)

And because I feel like throwing caution to the wind:

achieve inner peace

I haven’t allowed myself to dream and look ahead in several years so I’m a bit out of practice. I welcome the process with a mixture of skepticism, faith and determination.

Just for today I’ll take that.

.:.

What’s your 20 in 2020?

In spirit of discovery,

Stephanie

♥

Ottawa (Ontario) is wonderfully located to see art. Not only do we have the National Gallery of Canada right here in our city, we’re a day trip from Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts and an overnighter from Toronto and its venues, including the Art Gallery of Ontario.

I thought I’d highlight a few upcoming exhibitions that have captured my interest. With art by the likes of Picasso, Chihuly, van Gogh and O’Keeffe they promise to deliver!

If you know anyone else in the vicinity who might be interested in this list, please pass it on.

And if you’re not from the area, maybe it’s time to consider a visit?

For your perusing and planning pleasure, by city...

~~~

OTTAWA

National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada is a beautiful building and a delight to visit. If you can find a comfy seat in its café, I highly recommend a splurge on a drink or a sweet treat just to sit back and enjoy the view for a while. This summer the Gallery offers a few interesting exhibitions that might be worth the trek downtown:

Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (“Portraitist to Marie Antoinette“)

June 10 to September 11, 2016

“Discover Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, a celebrated 18th-century French portraitist who is among the most important female artists of all time. Exploring the life and work of a woman who was not only extraordinarily talented, but also publicity-savvy, this groundbreaking retrospective at the Gallery demonstrates both Vigée Le Brun’s exceptional skill and her ability to carve out a significant career in a man’s world.”

Woman power in the 18th century, yes indeed! This is the last stop for this exhibition so if you’re a fan, now is the time to make it happen.

Picasso: Man and Beast. The Vollard Suite of Prints

April 29 to September 5, 2016

"Considered one of Picasso's printmaking masterworks, The Vollard Suite is a treasure in the national collection. The entire series of 100 prints is now on view in Ottawa for the first time in nearly 60 years."

Though it doesn’t surprise me, I did not know that Picasso was an accomplished print maker. This collection looks fabulous and is for me a must-see.

~~~

MONTREAL

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

The MMFA tends to bring in a lot of big names so I try to keep an eye on what’s coming up. It's where I discovered the bold colours of Fauvist Kees van Dongen and the visual poetry of Symbolist Maurice Denis. The building is impressive as is its collection. It's a perfect destination for a day trip or an overnighter.

Toulouse-Lautrec Illustrates the Belle Époque

June 18 to October 30, 2016

Paris, decadence and debauchery. Need I say more?

~~~

TORONTO

Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of my favourite places to visit in Toronto and it too tends to bring in some big names. These two upcoming exhibitions are case in point:

Mystical Landscapes: Masterpieces from Monet, van Gogh and more

October 22, 2016 to January 29, 2017

“The years between 1880 and 1930 were marked by rampant materialism and rapid urbanization. Disillusioned with traditional religious institutions, many artists across Europe and North America searched for an unmediated spiritual path through mystical experiences. They conveyed their feelings of unity with nature and the cosmos in some of the most famous landscape paintings ever created.”

Monet, van Gogh, mysticism and nature? Yes please!

Georgia O’Keeffe

April 22 to July 30, 2017

A collaboration between the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Tate Modern, the AGO is the only North American stop for this Georgia O’Keeffe retrospective. You might want to start making your travel plans now.

Royal Ontario Museum (a.k.a. the ROM)

Chihuly

June 25, 2016 to January 2, 2017

I’ve never been to the ROM, but I think a Chihuly exhibition might be the perfect prompt to make it happen, yes?

~~~

Next up, List Love #7, the last one.

Missed my previous lists? Voici:

Birthday List Love #1: Favourite Recipes

Birthday List Love #2: Personal Finance Books by Gail Vaz-Oxlade

Birthday List Love #3: Four Female Canadian Artists

Birthday List Love #4: 25 Books I've Enjoyed This Year (So Far)

Birthday List Love #5: TV Shows, Movies & Documentaries