As I was developing my career I showed in all types of spaces, cafes, shops, alternative spaces, almost anywhere. I finally broke into commercial galleries. It felt great having solo shows in commercial galleries. That was an important goal for me. A couple years ago I was represented in three commercial galleries now they are all out of business. Even though my business has turned upside down I haven’t quit.

jholdwayravenI am still overflowing with ideas for paintings and I am always working. Check out my webpage and blog to see what’s new (johnholdway.com). I really love to get out of the studio and connect with people. I get a lot of energy meeting people and talking about my work. When I collected my paintings from the last gallery as it closed, I immediately set up an opportunity in a restaurant. Another opportunity appeared out of the blue at a college.

My current project is with Confluence Clinic (confluenceclinic.com) in Portland, a holistic healing partnership of a mental health professional, herbal medicinary, acupuncturists, and massage therapist. I like this idea so much because I am getting to connect with so many new and interesting people. For example after the reception the purchasers of two of my paintings took me out to Kenny’s Noodle House in SE Portland, check it out for fantastic Chinese noodles for modest prices.

I am a realist painter. I work primarily in oil on canvas. Still live has been the major theme for a few years. I love to include natural objects in my work. Food has been a prominent subject. It is important to me that my work be accessible.

Places to go and eat:
After checking out the Portland Art Museum, it is a short walk to
South Park Seafood 901 SW Salmon Street. They have have great food with upscale feel but it isn’t over priced. Good wine selection.

If you prefer beer like me, catch the streetcar over to the Pearl District and hit the Deschutes Brewery & Public House, 210 NW 11th Avenue. Deschutes is a Bend company but I love their beer. Usual nicer pub menu. Ask for the beer specials or try my old stand-by favorite Mirror Pond. If you are driving to the Pearl and you can’t find parking on the street go to the parking garage, Brewery Blocks Underground Parking can be entered on NW 12th or 13th between Couch(pronounced cooch) and Davis. Two-hour parking validated for Whole Food shoppers. (Great tip thanks John!)

You can find so much to do this month in cities across the US. With all of the LGBTQ pride celebrations happening in June there are many parties and celebrations so have a look at the links we have provided to the pride organizers in the cities we represent. Seattle, Portland, LA (this weekend June 11-13), New York, Houston New Orleans. Vancouver B.C. does not have their celebration until August but I have included links to their Pride organization as well. These organizations and the people that volunteer work hard all year and appreciate your support. Have a look at their websites for a list of diverse sponsors and all the happenings this summer especially this month!.

This month’s artist is Glenda Hydlar. She is an amazing painter from Brooklyn and a good friend of my friend Sara. ( yes we do recommend our friends and yours so send us your suggestions!) Contact us here.

Glenda Hydler Coagulation

Remember, you may also use our website feature pages which have three to four listings on things to do.

June is full of hope and full of summer sun and fun. We have seen so many great suggestions come through our in boxes the past few weeks. We have tried to capture everything here but if we miss something don’t forget to check out the blog or the website as we add stuff daily. Read and enjoy.

Share our newsletter with your friends we would appreciate it and we think your friends will too.

To see Glenda’s recommendations click here.

Hey check out our new off shoot Stuff Gay People Like. Just a little fun at our own expense.

My friends it is with a very heavy heart that I write today about a wonderful woman and a fantastic artist. She was a dancer and actor. The world lost Lindsay Thomas on Wednesday. She was a beacon in the arts community in Toronto, lindsaythomas1Edmonton and most recently Stratford in Ontario. She appeared in the original production of Hairspray in 2002. She was a member of Hairspray’s original Canadian company, as well as the first U.S. tour.
Lindsay also played Francine in the original Toronto production of Jersey Boys, directed by Stratford Artistic Director Des McAnuff.

I had the chance to see Lindsay perform when she was in college. I knew that she was going to do great things. Her strength and determination would take her far in this world. I only knew her kind and caring nature for a brief moment in time. The thing I most remember about her was how she embraced the moment and the happiness that she shared.

You struggle for the right words to say when you hear about something so hard as this type of news. I felt like I wanted and needed to share her talents with you and let you know that this week, we lost a great dancer and a wonderful actress. Most importantly the world lost a real sweetheart.

Lindsay, I honor you as our featured artist this week. You have touched peoples lives with your gifts for an eternity. Thank you for sharing with us. We are sad to lose you so soon but we are happy to have been so lucky to see you create, perform and make your way successfully in the very things that you were so passionate about.

Lindsay Thomas is a beautiful artistic spirit that left us too soon. Her good friend Noah Henne expressed his thoughts about her so beautifully and I wanted to share them with you.

“Lindsay Thomas made one feel like she looked up to you. In her admiration was her healing. In her respect was your own courage. In our admiration we find healing. In our respect we find courage. In our hearts we are Lindsay. Share her love that she gave you, let them know her through you. Cry joyfully if you can, and hold people gently to you. We are closer now, because of her life. (close friend Noah Henne Toronto)

Lindsay, your light will shine on bright in our hearts.

FEATURED ARTIST – Lindsay Thomas

On Hearing Of A Death

We lack all knowledge of this parting. Death
does not deal with us. We have no reason to show
death admiration, love or hate; his mask of feigned
tragic lament gives us a false impression.

The world’s stage is still filled with roles which we play.
While we worry that our performances may not please,
death also performs, although to no applause.

But as you left us, there broke upon this stage
a glimpse of reality, shown through the slight
opening through which you disappeared: green,
evergreen, bathed in sunlight, actual woods.

We keep on playing, still anxious, our difficult roles
declaiming, accompanied by matching gestures
as required. But your presence so suddenly
removed from our midst and from our play, at times

overcomes us like a sense of that other
reality: yours, that we are so overwhelmed
and play our actual lives instead of the performance,
forgetting altogether the applause.

Rainer Maria Rilke

The Formal Press release from Stratford.

Festival mourns the loss of Lindsay Thomas
February 4, 2010…

It was with great sadness that staff and artists at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival learned of the death of Lindsay Thomas. She was beloved by her
fellow company members and all who came in contact with her at the Festival for her vivacious spirit, infectious smile and tremendous talent. Lindsay died Wednesday of cancer, at the age of 31.
Audiences will remember Lindsay as the diminutive powerhouse who portrayed Ado Annie in the 2007 production of Oklahoma! That same year, she donned her tap shoes and danced up a storm, playing Anchovie in My One and Only. In 2008, Lindsay played Gracie Shinn in The Music Man and gave a moving performance as Jacinta in Fuente Ovejuna. Lindsay made her Stratford debut in 2006, appearing in Oliver! and Don Juan. “This is very sad news for the Festival family,” said General Director Antoni Cimolino.
“Lindsay had so many friends and they stayed close to her throughout her illness. “She had a vibrant talent. In addition to being a gifted dancer and singer, Lindsay was an outstanding comedienne with both energy and wit. Her performance as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! drew not only great laughter but warmth and affection from the audience. She will be missed by all who knew her.”

Lindsay’s career took her throughout Canada and to Broadway, where she appeared in the original production of Hairspray in 2002. She was a member of Hairspray’s original Canadian company, as well as the first U.S. tour.

Lindsay also played Francine in the original Toronto production of Jersey Boys, directed by Stratford Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “I became friends with Lindsay at the Stratford Festival,” said Mr. McAnuff. “I was thrilled to hire her for the original Canadian Jersey Boys company in Toronto, in which she excelled as an electrifying performer.
“Lindsay had more than simply abundant talent; she had a huge heart. Everyone that she came in contact with benefitted from her generous spirit. She will be greatly missed by both companies and manlindsayadoy, many others.”
Lindsay performed in Anne of Green Gables and Somewhere in the World at the Charlottetown Festival; in Grease at Edmonton’s Citadel Theater; in Aladdin at the Stirling Festival; and in The Boy Friend, City of Angels and The Crucible at Theater Sheridan. She was a graduate of Sheridan’s music theater performance program.

Lindsay is survived by her partner, actor Gareth Potter, her parents, Marilyn and Derek Thomas, and her brother, Gareth Thomas.
A memorial service was held at Parkview United Church, 470 Ontario Street, Stratford, on Monday, February 8. Friends and family will gathered afterwards at the Paul D. Fleck Marquee in the Festival Theatre, 55 Queen Street.

It was once written that Lindsay “looks like the happiest person in the Festival Theatre.”
That is how we will remember her.

*Photo credit – Oklahoma! 2007
Lindsay Thomas as Ado Annie and Jonathan Ellul as Ali Hakim
Photo by David Hou