The Arts Are No Luxury! | NCCA

"The artistic impulse is an inherent drive to explore the environment through eyes, ears, touch, smell, taste and movement. Artistic expression is animated by the inner drive, what Gene Cohen called an “Inner Push”⁶ , to interact creatively with the environment and to invent more effective behavioral responses."  Gene Cohen

Good reasons to be creative at any age.

The Arts Are No Luxury! | NCCA

What I'm Working On

These three paintings are nearly finished. It brings to mind the question "How can you tell a painting is done?" For me sometimes it's easy other times it seems to be done but when left for a while then looked at again it's clearer if my intentions are actually seen the way I want them to be seen. I'd be interested in hearing about your experience deciding a painting is finished.

The first , "Immersed" is mixed media predominantly encaustic and collage on wood panel. I've included a detail image as well. I still want to build up the texture on the bottom of the painting. The source image is a winter reflection of trees on water. The title reflects my process while working with wax. I'm totally immersed in the process, hours can go by without my noticing. inspired by Stickup Artist photo Visit her site and see fantastic photography!

The second "Branded" is encaustic on wood panel. The source was my imagination with the goal to have horizontal layers creating distances. I wanted to make a comment about humans relationship with nature. I decided to place simple geometric shapes on the horizon to represent manmade invasive constructions on the environment. I burned the shapes rather than painting them after same fashion ranchers brand livestock to indicate ownership.

The third piece, "Running" is acrylic on canvas. The source is a photo of water running over various metal pieces at a deteriorated building site. I was attracted to the movement and colours in the image. Painting in acrylic is very different from oil or encaustic. The paint dries quickly and I'm still learning about  how and what I can do with it.  Still have a ways to go before this one is finished. source: American Ruins This facebook page is devoted to deteriorating landscape mostly located in the USA

"Immersed", mixed media on wood panel, 4' x 3'

"Immersed" detail

"Branded", encaustic on wood panel, 20" x 24" 

"Running" acrylic on canvas, 4' x 3'

Mail Art, Just for Fun

The Richmond Gallery is having their second International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap. Working in a 4"x 6" format is a big switch from the 4' x 3' I've been using over the summer. Here are a few that I've done. They are mixed media on Arches Oil paper. Two are representational while two are abstract. 

We've had an unusually hot dry summer so water and garden were lingering themes. I was experimenting with combining watercolour, acrylic and oil pastels. I've got more postcards cut and I'm looking forward to creating more and mailing them off to loved ones. I'll keep you posted. haha

"Incomplete Thoughts", acrylic on Arches oil paper, 4" x 6"

"Wish You Were Here", Mixed media on Arches oil paper, 4" x 6"

"Dreams, Bits and Pieces, Unfinished Stories", Mixed media on Arches oil paper, 4" x 6"

"Summer Happiness", Mixed media on Arches oil paper, 6" x 4"

Fall, Season for change

I think of fall as a time for new beginnings. It marks the returning to "the work". It may be due to body memories of returning to school after meandering through summer. It's a time to engage and reconnect in the concrete goals of learning or responsibilities of the work world after summer vacation. That is not to say that summer is not productive or the absence of these activities. Summer for me is a time that gives permission to be more carefree. This attitude can be rejuvenating or it can be a slippery slope.

I've been absent from the blog world for too long. The discipline it takes to share my thoughts on a regular basis sometimes feels over-demanding. Yes it's about time but it's more about self reflection and coming to terms with where I am as an artist and as a person and then sharing what I've learned. 

This past year has been exciting and scary. I no longer had school assignments that put me in the creative process. Instead I'm facing alone the responsibility for defining my voice. I find myself envying artists who know who they are. They can be identified through their work. And collectors want to own their work. I keep working because there is no other way but to do it.

So I have not been idle during the summer. I've been showing my work through the local Langley Arts Council in their Art in Found Spaces program. I exhibited in Surrey Art Council juried show "Dance" at the Newton gallery. I have four works in progress each with their own unique problems to be solved. I'll post images soon.

The catalyst for this post was an article posted by Lori Mcnee called "Ten Tips to Find Your Own Artistic Voice". All ten points resonate with me especially the first one which taps into my doubts if I am good enough. 

Hope you all had a wonderful summer. I appreciate your comments and reading your posts. The connections are as real as my neighbourhood no matter that it is in virtual reality. Thanks for being out there.