Loving the Tribe

There's a special connection between art makers; a connection akin to a tribe.  In the tribe, one feels a spark, a mutual understanding with the other tribe members what it is to share a creative path.  I have the best discussions with other artists.  It's also why I enjoy listening to the Savvy Painter podcasts sometimes while I paint.  

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They are great while I'm working on my mini wood blocks, because I paint them responsively, not too much cerebral stuff in them.  When I need to think I cant listen to any podcasts or music (only exception is birdsong).  It feels good to know there's others out there all around the world working away on their own creative paths, going through similar ups and downs as me.  I love the tribe!  

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Dec 8th I've been invited to attend the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria's  December meeting.  woohoo! It's a great little public art gallery very enthusiastically supported out here in Victoria...cant wait to see what the other members will bring, it's a show & tell.  ...feel like I meet some of the tribe :)

still painting in Victoria

Here I am in Victoria for the next few weeks; happy to find a little space in the days to do a bit of painting.   The first couple of days I was tired from traveling and fighting jetlag, but now I'm getting into the rhythm of the days here.

Yesterday I set up my paints in my mother-in-law's sun-room.  It's unheated in there but we had beautiful sunshine in the afternoon, which warmed it up enough to paint while Gma puttered in the garden trimming her hydrangea heads.

On the weekend Holly & Jeff picked me up and we wandered along Ella beach in Sooke, hunting for treasures. For Holly, that's beach glass and interesting driftwood pieces that she turns into cute Xmas crafts. For me it's inspiration for my mini wood block paintings.  I cant wait to share a table with her at a Xmas craft/art fair next Thursday; so fun to get the opportunity to hang with my girl and sell our goodies! 

fitting art-making into life

The Soul Know's - oil on wood 20x20
$600 - on view at Frameworks

Ideally I love painting in my studio with a few canvas's on the go at the same time, all in various states of flux.  The process of going from one to the other like 'a bee in a meadow' suits my flow, and encourages my voice, best.  I learn the best stuff in these moments alone, asking questions, finding my way and solving problems within each work.   BUT, this way of working only suits me when my life is ordered and has a routine, as it requires large blocks of  un-interrupted working time.

For me, art making is such an itch that needs scratching,  even when I cant be in my studio like usual, I want to make things.  I mean after all...life happens, doesn't it?  I love taking part in family activities. 

 
In these small time frames, while visiting or hanging out with family or friends, my art making takes on quite a different rhythm.   I switch to small projects, like the mini wood block paintings...they're are a good fix, letting me enjoy art-making and taking part in life too. 

They take concentration, but somehow, it's possible to work on them with other things going on around me.  I feel grateful to have a way to make my art fit my life.  I used to do  needlework when my kids were little, fitting it into small moments between naps or children's telly.  It's sort of the same way with the little paintings now.  I fit them into life's busier times.