This summer has not been easy for any of us. Faced with the virus, rampant unemployment and our nation's reckoning with racism, I'm tempted to hide under the covers. When our society needs to close down for now, how do we as individuals/artists remain open to a changing world?
The other day, I considered the various activities I do to maintain a sense of continuity, meaning and depth. "Aha!", I thought, "these activities are my summer camp in situ." I've christened it "Useless Bay Summer Camp." Instead of yoga taking place in a lodge, my purple yoga mat has pride of place at the back of our living room. Instead of a craft cabin, craft activities take place in an impromptu back yard studio or a friend's farm with just two or three people at a time; pods that are subsets of my bubble. We've explored cyanotypes (thank you Linda Clark Johnson!) and ice dyeing (thank you Zia Gipson!)
These activities don't produce great or salable art, but more importantly, they create a rich human connection that I long for and miss. After one of our afternoons together, I feel a lightness of being, a joy that bubbles up inside and carries me forward.
I'm curious, as artists and art lovers, what mind hacks and crazy fun things have you come up with this summer? Email me and let me know. I'll share them in the next newsletter.
Summer Tableau, 20" x 15", Monoprint collage and ink
Upcoming Online Class
Until recently I've had my doubts about doing an online class. At the time of the last newsletter, my class at Pacific Northwest Art School was still on. The day after I pushed "post," I received an email saying that the school had cancelled all of their classes for the rest of the year.
That got me thinking. I've missed being in the fresh waters of teaching, engaged as students and teachers in a fun and active learning process. After swimming in 4 different online art classes this summer (part of UBS Camp), I decided to jump into virtual waters myself.
I'm married to a videographer, so why not? Before we start the camera rolling though, I need to do a little market research. My question for all of you who've asked for online classes is, "What is it you particularly want to learn?" If you'd be kind enough to shoot me a couple of lines, that will help me to guide my workshop design, so that I'm targeting what you are looking for.
The Scent of Lemon, 20” x 15”, Monoprint collage
Good News to Share!
I'm delighted to share that two of my monoprint collage works, The Scent of Lemon and Love Note to Spring have been selected by the Boston Children's Hospital for their collection in the new Hale Family Building.
I like to imagine little hands pointing to parts of the print, getting close enough to touch it, just before their parents say "Don't Touch!"
