I've been giving a lot of thought to goals in the future. I know I need something to work towards and, since I have met so many of my goals over the past 25-ish years, I'm wondering what's ahead. I'll be 60 next year, which is definitely a milestone, so that makes this time of reflection and goal-setting even more important...a turning point of sorts.
These are some of the highlights:
So...what's next? I know that I will continue working on my current body of work, the reason I spent a week doing research at the Banff Centre for the Arts, and I'm preparing for an exhibit with my friend Ana Zanella at Framed on Fifth in Kensington this summer. I also want to continue my studies as I'm so close to my goal of achieving a Bachelor of Arts degree. Other than that, I'm not sure. I've been involved in so many great things: been a member and co-founder of amazing creative Boards, taught, wrote, curated and travelled for art, and, best of all, have received so much incredible support for what I do. Maybe, for now, I just need to focus on my guiding word for the year, Calm, and allow myself to enjoy this time of painting and learning. If something comes up, I'll think about it then. I've been struggling with moving forward on these portraits. I think six portraits are complete but I'm unsure if I want to add colour to the backgrounds or to leave them white. I know I want to add their names to the front of the panel using a dip pen (it seems appropriate for the era) but am thinking that maybe I'd like to paint colourful backgrounds so that when these pieces are hung they might appear like a quilt of sorts...especially if they are hung close together, maybe even touching. I also wonder, if I do add colour, should it be light (like this one) or dark? So many choices! I may just have to put these aside and keep working on new pieces until I decide. :)
I am thrilled that my article has been published in the spring issue of Where Women Create magazine, a publication that I have admired for many years. My focus was on creating anywhere...from my home studio, to artist residencies, to travels near and far. I am so fortunate to have received many opportunities to create, from having a lovely renovated space in my home to working in the most beautiful historic buildings. Plus, I am not the best traveller, so bringing some art supplies with me makes such a difference. Pre-orders are available online through Where Women Create until February 11 then at bookshops and stores where magazines are sold.
I've also been fortunate to get the best photos taken by amazing photographers: Ariel Bissett (studio), Shallon Cunningham (residency), Lancette Burton (plein air) and my daughter, Katherine Funk (travel). Issues of What Women Create are also still available online here. I've begun new pieces in the "Women of the West" series as I have missed working on prepared cradle wood panels. I'll still utilize the works on paper that I started during my Artist Residency at the ASA Gallery in autumn but, with a bit of a shift. I'm so excited. It was something I had considered to begin with by wanted to try out watercolour paper first. As an acrylic painter for so many years, I definitely prefer to work on a substrate that can be exhibited "as-is" (as long as the finished watercolours are protected with Dorlands Wax). Plus, I have been interested in working in a square format as I always did in the past. I'm loving these pieces in progress and can't wait to see where this leads.
There are a different ways that I like to work in my sketchbook:
One of the things I miss most that ended during Covid was the Empty Bowls Fundraiser that our local foodbank organized every year. I loved being invited to paint a bowl that would be put up for auction. It was so much fun to be in the room with so many people in the community that I knew and had worked closely with over the years. Out of the many ways I am able to contribute locally, this is one of my favourite so I hope that someday they bring this back as I do love to contribute in this way.
Unfortunately, costs for videos on my website ballooned so I no longer have videos available for purchase but I have uploaded the directions for all of my online workshops which are now available to everyone here. In time, I hope to update and add Step-by-Step photographs to make it more accessible. Any suggestions are welcome. :)
I'm still working on this series but it is morphing a bit...something I wondered about before and during my Residency at the ASA Gallery in Calgary. Though I'm not ready to share what I'm doing at this time, I am excited about the direction I've been taking. Often, when I create a body of work, it's not static initially but develops over time. Fingers crossed that what I'm doing works!
It's been a good year so far...I've completed several essays in the two English courses I'm currently enrolled in (Protest Literature in the U.S. and Children & Young Adult Literature). There's been a surprising amount of overlap between the two courses, something I really enjoy. Both discuss politics, race and religion from different perspectives so I have really been enjoying the readings. Plus, books are always a great thing.
I'm also taking a bit of a break from Mastrius as I've been going pretty steady since the pandemic. I have met the most wonderful women and absolutely love the people I've had the privilege of working with...I feel blessed. At the same time, there are a few health issues that have cropped up so I want to take time to finish a large commission that I committed to, to focus on my education and also on my current body of work (I'm a bit obsessed!). I feel very fortunate to be creative as it always keeps me going. I was able to procure the Small Hunter Satchel (rook - navy blue) by Peg & Awl for Christmas and it fits my Sendak Mini Artist Roll (maple), a sketchbook and a few necessities perfectly. It also works well with my university reads (bonus). I love their waxed canvas and leather closures/straps. They feel vintage and sturdy...just my cup of tea. I've had the artist roll for a couple of years and the longer they are used, the better they get.
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