From Storyteller to Story Un-Earther

Life twists and turns and you just never know how things are going to unfold!  Check out this recent interview about how I became a Certified Emotion Code Practitioner and how this Storyteller/Artist dug for answers and un-earthed buried stories to find calm and clarity!

Riverdale ArtWalk – June 2nd & 3rd

I have one more upcoming show before our big trip to China and Vietnam this summer (so excited to visit Hoi An, the ancient city of lanterns, and Ha Long Bay with its towering limestone pillars… and can’t wait to see what paintings it inspires!)

Before that, I hope you can join me for my first Riverdale ArtWalk
June 2nd 11am- 6pm
June 3rd  11am- 6pm
Jimmie Simpson Park – 870 Queen Street East
BOOTH #112 (in middle of park near Queen)

Meet You at the Corner of Story and Song

Ross and I are so excited to announce that we will be doing a show – our first solo show together in many years as part of the Toronto Storytelling Festival on March 2nd!

Join husband and wife duo storyteller Nathalie Vachon and musician Ross Lynde as they bring two of their favourite art forms together. At the charming Lazy Daisy Café, this evening is sure to be a wonderful intersection where story meets song and humour meets heart.

One of a Kind Christmas Show!

I am so excited to announce that I will be doing the One of a Kind Show this year for the first time!!    Booth numbers are in and I will be at #W45 right beside the Green Section.  I will be there for all 11 days – hope to see you there!

One of a Kind Christmas Show

Camp Imagine 2017

We had an absolute blast with this creative, funny, smart and oh so talented group of girls at Camp Imagine this year.  Our theme was the ocean… and this year we planted a story seed about Sirens that guarded a treasure box of words in the middle of the Sea.  Some people knew that if they called out to the Sirens for wisdom or guidance, the Sirens would reach into their treasure box and pull out the exact right words that each person needed to hear.

Here are some pictures of our time together writing our story Sirens of the Sea, paintings, making treasure boxes, making ocean drums and so much more…

We wandered through the Inspiration Station for ideas…

We decorated our sketchbooks…

Tales of Trouble and Laughter

Hope you can join us Sunday April 2nd at Harbourfront Centre for an hour of whimsy and original stories with Rukhsana Khan and Nathalie Vachon (that’s me!)

Sunday April 2nd
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Lakeside Terrace at Harbourfront Centre
235 Queen's Quay West
Free - suggested ages 5 and up

Harbourfront will have a day jam packed with stories, a storytellers picnic, face painting, mysteries to solve and laughs to be had!  Check here for details.  www.harbourfrontcentre.com/festivals/storytelling/

The Talking Stick

Storyfire: A celebration of Community Storytelling

FRI March 24th
8pm – 10pm
Innis College
2 Sussex Avenue
$5 tickets at door
I am so excited to be telling one of my favourite folktales from Japan called Issun Boshi.  Where we have Tom Thumb, Japan has a character called Issun Boshi (one inch boy).  This delightful tale shows us that you are never too small to be brave and kind and smart.

Camp Imagine 2016

2016 marked our 5th year doing Camp Imagine!  Our vision:  to create a camp where kids can explore all aspects of their creativity; painting, sketching, dance, drama, music, movement, percussion, crafts, writing, storytelling.  Here is a peak into all we did during the week of July 11th, 2016.

Storytelling at the McMichael

Please join me as part of MARCH BREAK MADNESS at the McMichael!

Imagination on the Loose!
Performer: Nathalie Vachon
Thursday, March 17 at 1:30 pm

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection

10365 Islington Avenue
Kleinburg, Ontario L0J 1C0 Canada
Tel: 905.893.1121 or toll free 1.888.213.1121

Katari Japanese Storytelling on April 2nd

Katari Japanese Storytelling has a new venue this year!   Luc’s Sculpture will play host on April 2nd as part of the Toronto Storytelling Festival. (3 ~ 5 PM)

Contact person: Yusuke Tanaka 416-446-6256
Registration: Yusuketanaka446@gmail.com

The Evolution of a Painting

A painting begins well before the paint meets the canvas…  it can start with an image, a trip, an impression, an idea, an emotion, a colour…

This video show that journey and how the seeds for this painting “On Becoming True” were planted during a trip to Bali.

Hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oaxqvGGZ-g
Music from the ‘Water’ soundtrack

Camp Imagine 2014!

I just can’t say enough about the wonderful kids this year at Camp Imagine:  generous with each other, kind, open, creative, willing, sweet, thoughtful, imaginative, fun, funny (with no lack of personality!)  It was just a dream for Ross and I!

So, what happens when you get a wonderful group of kids together and you add a dash of music, a pinch of paint, a bucket of art supplies, a hint of a story and a fairy door?

Click here to find out!  www.youtube.com

Curious to see more?  Here’s what we did to get to our final performance/exhibit:

A:  We made books (turning giant leaf bags into Camp Imagine Sketchbooks)

Katari Storytelling – Saturday March 29th

Join us for one of my favourite annual shows: Katari Japanese Storytelling @ Japan Foundation is on March 29th as part of the Toronto Storytelling Festival. (3 ~ 5 PM, admission free)

This year, I am thrilled to be joined by Japanese dancers Takako Segawa, Kengo & Ran Yamazaki along with flutist Doug Miller for the retelling of Ketut & the Thousand Herons.

Contact the Japan Foundation to reserve a seat as space is limited.
416-966-1600, 106
http://www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp.php

Burlington Theatre Cushion Concert Series!

One of my favourite events of 2013 was the November 16th show at the Burlington Theatre as part of the inaugural Cushion Concert Series.  It was an intimate concert of moms, dads, grandparents, friends and children; with everyone cozy on cushions and ready for stories, for songs and for fun… Here are some pictures from the event and a most wonderful testimonial from organizer Joanne Churchill – thanks so much for having me!

“We were just thrilled to have Nathalie’s vivacious spirit and imaginative wordplay start our very first Cushion Concert ever!  Children sat, clapped, sang and giggled through delightful stories, songs and rhymes.  Thank you Nathalie for setting the bar so high for our series.  You’ve helped ignite a passion in our youngest audience members that will be alight for years to come!”
– Joanne Churchill – Burlington Theatre

Camp Imagine 2013!

Oh what a fun time we had this year at Camp Imagine… we made our own sketchbooks, did collage, made bamboo xylophones, wrote a collective story that we performed for friends and family on Friday, we wrote songs, played instruments, had a drum circle, played boom-whackers and rhythm sticks (and games of course),we wrote a poem and painted (creating wonderful multi-layered masterpieces)

And in case you missed it, here are some pictures and the video of our final performance.  A big thank you to all the kids, parents, friends and volunteers that helped make the week such a success!  Hope to see you next time!

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOnipmUTLsAoQoGw7S1h1qw

Ketut and the Thousand Herons Mosaic Storytelling Festival

In February, i had the wonderful opportunity to perform with Marylyn Perringer as part of the Sunday Afternoon Storytelling Series called Mosaic.  It was a lovely afternoon with a wonderfully warm audience and a chance for me to debut a new story Ketut and the Thousand Herons with the addition of music (thanks to my most talented husband Ross) and with three Japanese dancers (thanks so Kengo, Ran and Takako Segawa)

Here is the video from that performance:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOnipmUTLsAoQoGw7S1h1qw

Once Upon a Time – Family Day Storytelling

Join us on February 18th (Family Day) for free storytelling at Daniels Spectrum:

FAMILY DAY STORYTELLING
Monday February 18th 1pm-3pm
Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East
Artscape Lounge

Look forward to seeing you there!
Once Upon A Time-RPNI

Pop Goes the Easel!

2012 brought with it a new venture… We got a pop up shop!!!!

Friend/fellow Beach Studio Tour Artist Helen Billett and myself were given a shop at 1803 Danforth for the month of December and we transformed the very blank space (like a blank canvas) into a colourful explosion of art!!  Here are some of my favourite pictures of our time at Pop goes the Easel (including:  a great painting and vision board workshop, holiday drop in crafts, my annual Holiday Open Studio and an afternoon of Storytelling, Music and Crafts)

Thank you Danforth East (DECA) for having us!  We hope to come back again!

Jack Layton Memorial Canvas

I recently had the great honour of painting a memorial canvas for the late Jack Layton.  I was asked to paint something around the many signatures and words of thanks on a large canvas and came up with the image of the blossoming tree… a symbol of all the seeds of compassion, hope and understanding that this great leader has planted.  Here is the article from our local paper.

MemoryCanvas_SEP20

Helping Keen Celebrate One Year

This weekend I helped my favourite shoe store celebrate their one year anniversary…  how lucky to have them right around the corner from our house!  Congratulations Keen Shoes… here are a few pictures from the day and some of the faces I used as a canvas to paint on (some of them were wiggly, but I forgave them because they were so cute!)

Spring Beach Studio Tour

Please Join us

for the charming treasure hunt that is the beach studio tour…  Grab a friend, grab a map,  grab a latte and wander through the Beach neighbourhood to view, collect and be inspired by the beautiful artwork of local Beach Artists…  let us welcome you into our heARTS!

Toronto Storytelling Festival – Katari Japanese Storytelling

Saturday, March 24
3:00 – 5:00 pm

Katari will explore the traditional and contemporary Japanese stories that were brought to Canada by the Black Current…  I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event yet again this year!  Join us, you won’t be disappointed!

Location: The Japan Foundation, Toronto
131 Bloor Street West, 2nd Floor

Audience: General

Admission: Free. Please RSVP at www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp.php or Tel: 416-966-1600 ex.103
For more info on the Toronto Storytelling Festival:
www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca/site/

Holiday Open Studio

Ho, Ho, Ho!

You are most warmly invited my 5th annual Holiday Open studio…come on by for a little holiday cheer and to kick-start the season!

Holiday Open Studio!
395 Scarborough Road
Saturday December 3rd
11am – 3pm

With lots of creative gift ideas and stocking stuffers… there will be paintings, prints, cards, magnets, a cd of stories
(including Emma May’s Christmas Day) and the new Cadence Holiday Album, Cool Yule (hot off the press!)
Stop in for a little eggnog and some treats to get your holiday shopping off to a good start…
Hope to see you then!

warm wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season,
Nathalie

World on a Maple Leaf

I am so happy to announce the inclusion of Mischief and the Moon (the original Japanese Folktale I wrote inspired by my year and a half in Japan) in the recent publication of World on a Maple Leaf a collection of 25 folktales written by people from different cultural backgrounds who call Canada home.  Rooted in cultures from around the world, the stories offer an imaginative world to students while promoting the true spirit of multiculturalism and educating students in the principles of diversity, equality and respect.

Health, Food, Creativity Weekend at Luc’s Sculpture

Saturday, Oct. 29 & Sunday, Oct. 30th
10am-7pm

Health, Food, Creativity focuses on health and wellness through our unique expression, creativity. It is a space you can experience and explore who you are through doing good to the self, earth, and everyone else! There are places for purchasing healthy products & art works, playing with cay, participating workshops run by health practitioners, healers and artists.  I will be offering a workshop in Creative Writing on Saturday at 3pm.

The Beach Studio Tour – Fall 2011

It’s just around the corner…

Take a little stroll through the Beaches, listen to the leaves crunch, wander into an artist’s studio, have a cup of tea and take in the beautiful work of local painters, potters, jewelers, photographers, textile artists, sculptors and metal workers… Yes, it is time for the Fall Beach Studio Tour!
* Friday October 21st (6pm -9pm)
* Saturday October 22nd (10am-6pm)
* Sunday October 23rd (11am-6pm)

Camp Imagine!

Our first Camp Imagine! was a huge success with a week of painting, storytelling, percussion, music, movement & more… The week ended with a show called the Emperor’s Decree (about an Emperor who passed a law saying that “there shall be no more fun allowed”) which included songs, choreography, drumming, acting, storytelling & much entertainment for friends & family.  A big thank you to all the wonderful kids, helpers, parents & Kingston Rd. United for a fabulous creative adventure!

Here are some pictures from the week:

The Ultimate Block Party

Join us on Sunday June 5th from 11am – 5pm at Old Fort York for stories, music, and more!

Thousands of families and children are expected to participate in The Ultimate Block Party – a mass event to demonstrate the value of play-based learning for children –  at Toronto’s Fort York. Presented by ETFO, the event is modeled after the very successful Ultimate Block Party held in New York’s Central Park last October.

Nathalie will be telling stories from 12:30 to 1:10pm at the Story Corner!

ps. please note parking is limited and people are advised to bring their own snacks and drinks

Stories and Songs from Japan and Beyond

Join us in celebration of Asian Heritage Month

Saturday May 28th…

East Asian Homeland Festival: Stories and Songs from Japan and Beyond with Yusuke Tanaka and Nathalie Vachon
PLACE: Lilian H. Smith library – 239 College Street 416-393-7746
DATE: Sat. May 28, 2011
TIME: 12pm NOON (40 minutes)

The Beach Studio Tour

The Spring Beach Studio Tour has come and gone… many thanks to those who came by!   As I know I have said before I love this show for the opportunity to connect with community, neighbours and the people who travel from all over the city (and beyond) to appreciate, inquire and support the arts.

If you missed this one, not to worry… this charming tour of the Beach will come around in the Fall (NEW DATES – two weekends after Thanksgiving – October 21st, 22nd & 23rd). You will find beautiful jewelery, ceramics, photography, paintings, textile work… just follow the map, wander through the beach neighbourhood, check out gardens and come on into the homes/studios of the artists to see how they work and what they love to create.

For more information go to www.beachstudiotour.ca.

Beach Studio Tour Article

Here is a photo collage from this Spring’s Tour!

Paintings at the Savoury Grounds

We have the best little coffee shop in our neighbourhood and they have asked me to adorn their walls with paintings… so if you are in the hood, be sure to stop by  Savoury Grounds, located at 959 Kingston Road (Kingston and Scarborough Rd)

SYNTHESIS: A Fundraising Gala for the Queen West Art Crawl

Friday, March 25 · 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Pia Bouman School For Ballet and Creative Movement, 6 Noble Street Toronto, ON

I am so looking forward this year to participating in SYNTHESIS.  Such a cool concept… 20 artists divided in two, the first 10 artists create a piece of work to then be passed onto 10 other artists (dancers, clowns, storytellers, singers) to then create something inspired from their creation… it is synthesis at it’s best!

Toronto Storytelling Festival

March 25 to April 3, 2011

The 33rd Annual Toronto Storytelling Festival will be a 10-day celebration of storytelling influenced by this year’s theme, The Seventh Generation: Past, Present, Future.  On Saturday March 26th at 3pm I  am thrilled to be telling stories again with the Katari Storytelling group.

Come travel to Japan with the Katari Japanese Storytellers as they tell traditional and contemporary Japanese stories.

Camp Magic – Summer 2010

Ross and I were thrilled to go to Singapore last summer to work at Camp Magic!

Here’s are a few pictures as well as some postings that will give you a feel of our six weeks there!