… to be busy, still!
The first exhibition of NEST came down the beginning of this week, so the year’s work is all packed tightly into my studio one again. It was a great year doing the Residency at Harcourt House, and the quiet sense of closure in taking the exhibition down was a good experience for me too. I was left feeling good about what I had accomplished, but I was also left knowing that I have more to do – more that I want to do – with this body of work. It feels good to be able to look at the work as a whole and see the potential for more … the percolating of the brain that says it needs additions and tweaks, that sees the beginnings of new directions to take it.
It’s a good time of year to be thinking like this. At least for me it is … the impulse to hibernate also brings with it the desire to work deeper, more slowly … to really consider each step. There’s a good bit to do on other projects as well, but all in all, the next few months will be dark and cold here, so it’s best to get things done inside, under cover of snow:
I’m also showing some of my mixed media assemblage work at a local cafe; most of this work is quite new, made in the last year or two. It is the time of year for gift-giving for many of us … which much to my delight, seems to be what people want to do with my work! It makes me really, really happy to know that people are buying original art to give to others! What a lovely thing to share … and no, not just because it’s my work! Giving a gift is a special thing (or should be, in my books) … and to offer a gift that is made by real, human hands and that is unique unto itself speaks volumes about the value an individual places on so many things: on creativity, on the effort it takes to make original work, on the whole notion of sustaining a local economy. But perhaps most importantly, is says a great deal about how the gift-giver values the person to whom the gift is given. I am honoured to be a part of that.
Here’s some of the work currently on exhibition at Credo:
Looking forward making more work, thinking, reading, writing … all the many good things that come with the season (and all of which tends to provide me with many good excuses to remain indoors!) … just not now!
Off to shovel the walks!
“the impulse to hibernate also brings with it the desire to work deeper, more slowly … to really consider each step. ” I like these words a lot, something I have been reflecting on too, I do like how winter brings that reminder to us..I agree with Karen, you are inspiring!
Thanks so very much Cath!
It seems so easy to forget that things germinate, have their starting point in darkness (or at the very least, under cover of some sort). For me, remembering and honouring that cycle of light and dark (and all the others echoed in and by it) is really important … I do better work when I pay proper attention to it.
Thats such an interesting thought! I like the idea of the light and dark – also in relation to knowing when something is “ready” or when it should be left to evolve just a little more..keeping some part to yourself just a little longer, letting it form..a little like if you uncover a growing bulb too soon you might never see the flower..
my thanks again! it’s something I’ve been pondering a good deal lately – coming off a year of doing/making in such an intense way – lots of thought going into it too, of course, but the physical intensity of making the work seemed to be the dominant fact of my existence. So now, there’s an opportunity to step back and look again, and think about that and what’s next – and also to work on other things. Learning when to stop and re-assess – that seems to be a fine art in and of itself sometimes!
Sydney, you are very inspiring. I do so love the small assemblage work you have posted here. Wow!
Congratulations on a terrific year of work.
Oh thank you so much Karen! I do feel that we’re becoming something of a mutual-appreciation society … I find your photography tremendously inspiring as well. I do sincerely hope to be able to one day get somewhere even half way as good with a camera as you are. You really do literally paint with light, and the results are magical.