Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon tea break with our Afternoon Tea curators.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Ollee Owens.
Join Calgary-based blues/Americana/rock artist Ollee Owens as she takes you on an emotionally charged journey into the heart of a caregiver in her version of Bob Dylan’s “Lord Protect My Child.” Those holding responsibility for a vulnerable dependent know the yearning to see them safe from harm. As a mother of three daughters, one of whom has special needs, thoughts of protection and security strike deep for Ollee.
The dynamic arrangement of “Lord Protect My Child” leads with familiar tones – laying a somber foundation for an earnest delivery of angst genuinely sensed. As worry turns to hope, organ and choir unite to form a new footing to support the soaring voicing of the guitar and saxophone spurring onward the hallowed invocation. Recorded to mirror a live performance, closing one’s eyes while listening will transport you to a place away from your concern…to experience renewed faith in greater forces to undertake for those thinly held in one’s care.
Stream, watch + share “Lord Protect My Child” now:
We are emotional creatures. One of my goals as an artist is to create and record music that captures various elements of the human experience, holding space for all manner of emotions associated with our lives. Any song I write or choose to record will always have this element within it. – Ollee Owens
Art piece – by Ed Loenen, British Columbia, Canada
My favorite tea is Bigelow’s “Constant Comment Tea” with a splash of cream and a teaspoon of honey. It’s a black tea with the perfect hint of orange and spice – perfect for any day of the week.
The song I would like to use in addition to the art piece is “ You’re my Best Friend” by Don Williams
Family ties run deep for me, and the song I chose today is one that reminds of my Grandma, who played an integral part in my life. I spent much of my early years at her side, in the garden and on the farm. I carry many “nuggets” of insight with me to this day from conversations shared with her. She loved music and Don Williams was one of her favorites. When I listen to this song, I picture her face smiling and hear her gentle voice singing along – this memory brings me both peace and joy.
I paired the song with an art piece titled “May in White Rock” which was painted by my husband’s uncle Ed Loenen from British Columbia, Canada. The location of the inspiration for this painting was near the place my Grandparents retired. I love his bold use of colour and contrast, capturing the beauty of nature by the sea. It reminds me of my Grandma’s love for flowers and gardening. I think she would have loved the dynamic purple irises as this was her favorite colour. Moreover, in floriography, the language of flowers, the iris carries meanings of faith, courage, hope, and wisdom. My Grandma was a living testament to all these qualities, leaving a legacy for those of us who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. Much of who I am today is due to her tenacious spirit and gracious unconditional love. She didn’t have an easy life, but she never let it stop her from seeing the bright side and maintaining a heart of gratitude. It is by her example I live and seek to create art that captures the human experience in meaningful ways, holding space and providing hope for all who take the time to listen.
Tea + Me 