New Work

Showing posts with label Mixed Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mixed Media. Show all posts

February 26, 2023

Script - A Show

I was asked to fill in for a show at The Ice House Gallery in Tatamagouche, NS. The curator has always been super good to me so of course I said, "Yes!" after I did a mental tally and thought, 'yep, I've got enough potential pieces to make this work. Only, they were all on paper and far from being finished. But I had a few weeks and I always work well with a deadline. Bring it on, right?!?


And then my dear pup, Stella got very sick and needed 24/7 care for 8 days. I was a mess and the deadline drew ever closer, stressing me out even more. I think only a couple of hours were spent in the studio during that time and everything I touched got wrecked. Ack!

But Stella gradually got better and I was finally able to get my boards cut, cradle frames made, everything sanded with a week remaining. And that's when the real work began. There were so many dead ends and double backs and while I ended up getting everything finished in time, the reason I even mention it is sometimes an opportunity can feel like it isn't meant to be and you want to wave the white flag. And sometimes you just need to put your nose to the grindstone and Get'er DONE! I'm super glad I stuck with it because through hardship comes discovery and I really love how this group came together. 


Remember Me - Mixed Media on cradled wood board 8 1⁄2 x 7 x 1 1⁄2

The Barn - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 x 7 1⁄2 x 1 1⁄4

Melody - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 x 8 x 11⁄4

Exile - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 1⁄4 x 8 x 1 1⁄4

Swimmers Go the Extra Mile - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 x 8 x 1 1⁄4

Transmission - Mixed media, rusty nails, wire on cradled wood board 8 x8 1⁄2x 1 1⁄2

Back Home - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 14 x 9 x 1 1⁄4

762 - Mixed media on cradled wood board 8 1⁄2 x 7 x 1 1⁄2

Wild Lake - Mixed media on cradled wood board 8 1⁄2 x 7 x 1 1⁄2


February 16, 2020

The in-between


When I finish one project and before I jump into another, that space of in-between-ness is a place I ponder. Often. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable like an itchy wool sweater Grandma knit, so you can't get rid of it but it gives you hives. Every. Single. Time. And you wear it. Because you're nice and don't want to disappoint. Hmmm. Maybe too far down THAT metaphor!

So in an artist's life the in-between becomes a time to tidy up the studio ...has to happen some time, right? Or get some admin stuff done. The unspoken but vital chores that every creative has to tend to ...packing/mailing, invoices, website/marketing. All those behind the scenes stuff that allows the ART to continue to be made. Or. Maybe. It's where the magic happens. When tidying and packing and pondering promotions or shows, when the brain is occupied but not fully engaged, it allows for the subconscious some R&R *while* picking at the edges of  "What Comes Next".


One of my favourite in-between activities ...after the tidy up because I'm one of those crazy organized people who can't quite rest if my brushes aren't clean and paint (read: detritus) put away... is to grab some paper (usually saved from Amazon boxes truth-be-told) and Make Marks. Actually. No capitals. Just some fun, get my fingers dirty, play with shapes and paint and markers and all the stuff I put into my "Stencil" Box. Like sequin waste (you know, the dotless shiny stuff sold as "ribbon" at the craft store) and spent tape rounds and onion bag mesh and broken stamp pads.



I use the paper to cover the re-purposed boxes for mailing (mostly Amazon. we're best buds. :) ) From the sound of my mail folks they seem to appreciate not seeing yet another brown box, white envelope pass through there space. And I hope whoever has purchased work from me appreciates another little personalized touch. And if not, well. I had fun playing!

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