Lifelines Exhibit/ ArtZone Gallery Questions
1) You’ve had a very interesting life and have managed to keep art a part of it. Perhaps you could elaborate a bit on this: Every life is interesting and has a story to tell. Art making and art appreciating have always been an integral part of mine. Without it life would be horrendously boring. 2) Was there any turning point or landmark in your art career that you can share with us: Yes. I ran a small business bookkeeping, wordprocessing, etc. One of my clients was paraplegic. A man who made great contributions to those in similar circumstances and to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. He told me once that a person should do what they love. He died suddenly in 2000 at the age of 51. That was my epiphany, I decided then that everything I did would have an art component. So now I make art , volunteer as a docent at AGNS, became an elected member and Atlantic rep for the Society of Canadian Artists and began Artspa with a group of artists that meet every Tuesday to create art and conversation. 3) Could you share with us something about your art creation process, how it starts, choice of the subject, the medium, the title? a little about your take on this and your process (time frame/ application) I use water based mediums, simply because they dry quickly and I can glaze , add texture/layers and collage during the creative process. I like working fast and furious. I am known for my floral paintings which I do from memory and emotion. I like change and work on a variety of series at any given time. I start a new subject when I am inspired by a story, an experience or the natural environment. Titles are intuitive. 4) What drew you to painting over other media – are you exploring any new media now? Painting allows me to put down my reaction to a subject in a visceral way. It’s what I enjoy doing. I have taken classes/workshops in photography, pottery, blacksmithing, printmaking and always find a way to incorporate what I’ve learned into my artworks. I am now working on a series of landscapes in water mixable oil on small boards, probably because I am reading “Defiant Spirits” a book about the Group of Seven. I’d like to learn letterpress printing and sculpture. 5) You always seem to have interesting narratives or stories about your work. As your work here on display "Life Lines", what would you like us to have as a take away from either any specific works or the collection as a whole? Do you have a particular mood or emotion you want us to share in? Most of my work is narrative to some degree. Lifelines came from a medical emergency I had in March. Made me realize we are all born with an expiration date! I wanted to capture some of the intensity of how I felt during and afterwards. I am certain making the artwork had a healing effect. Viewers can decide for themselves how the artworks make them feel. I can only hope it is a positive experience. 6) What do people not know about you that you would like to share with us tonight? I am a closet accordionist! 7) What is some of the best advice you received as an artist that you could share with us today at Art Zone Gallery? It’s never too late to do what you love. |
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