Longing for an intense opportunity...

 Although I love learning Blacksmithing from Dave Hanson of Duluth, and hope to go spend some time with him again this year, I'm longing for some intense "Throw me RIght IN there" kind of mentoring where I can really focus on how to draft large scale sculptures and forge large pieces of steel.  SO I emailed Albert Paley and Rachel David (Red Metal)!  Now it's the waiting game... let's see if they get back to me about mentoring possibilities for 2015? :D  Rachel will be demonstrating at this years ABANA Conference, so I am super stoked and hope to discuss such matters with her then.  Take a look at their websites listed below:

http://albertpaley.com

http://redmetal.net

Preserving Harold Project Gallery Exhibition Proposal

Well, I've finally hunkered down to write a gallery proposal to show the Preserving Harold Project. Here's a snip-it from my artist statement:

The Preserving Harold Project (P.H.P.) is an emotionally based art project, stemming from the sudden death of my Uncle Harold.  Although the project is rooted in personal experience, family and my/our method of grieving, it also speaks to greater themes of life cycles and rebirth. Through the manipulation of photographs, light, sound, video, as well as the collection and assemblage of objects, the P.H.P documents family and property; and turns objects into ornaments.

            My artistic process is an integral part of my artwork, lending to the overall essence I aim for.  I began incorporating steel into my artistic process while working on the P.H.P.  The simple steel hangers forged for the P.H.P. are not only functional and decorative, but also are meaningful, resembling the invisible roots that connect and hold everything together.  As I heated and pounded the steel while thinking about Harold, his house, and family, my mental process developed, as hammering requires precision of intent and presence in the moment.  The process of blacksmithing also relates to a common theme of rebirth that permeates my work, as all elements (water, air, earth, fire) are required when transforming steel.  The Preserving Harold Project marks the beginning of a journey in steel, as I forge connections with a focus on family.

To view more about the Preserving Harold Project visit my blog at http://preservingharoldproject.blogspot.ca 

Thunder Giant Metalsmith Guild

I'm soooo excited! 

     I love when new projects grow from new relationships with like-minded artists.  I've been co-ordinating the creation of a guild up here in NW Ontario - we now call ourselves the "Thunder Giant Metalsmith Guild". What I find to be most exciting is meeting the people who are drawn to this group.  Many members are young or have a youthful energy that excites us all.  I'm sure we will go far.  It's exciting to have people to share our talents with, teach, learn, and overall exchange and excite one another. Our current project is writing a proposal for an open call to artists.  Whether we are finalists or not, it's a great opportunity to discover others interested in working on large scale projects.  Super exciting times!  

Now that's what I like to see!  

...Look at the size of that steel!  Glad to have you as a member of the guild Steve Sitko, looking forward to working with you and hearing about your experience.

CAHEP- in school projects

While gallery sitting today, I'm working on examples for my CAHEP in-school projects. 

This work-in-progress is my "Blue Heron Mask". Between sessions I work on the mask further to show the class in our next visit.  This way I can work alongside the students, and show them how I get to the end product. This years theme for Artists-in-the-5th is "Spirit of the North" so at Gorham and Ware (where I went to elementary school!), we're creating animal masks exuding a northern spirit. All CAHEP Artists-in-the-5th projects will be on display again this year at the Folklore Festival so be sure to check 'em out!

Below is another work-in-progress for my CAHEP Forest of Reading Project. I love F.O.R. projects, learners create works of art inspired by books! The project I'll be leading at St. Margaret school is based on "If you hold a seed" by Elly MacKay. We'll be creating mixed-media images on mylar, exploring transparency while creating imaginative scenes looking out our window. 

Looking out my window I see bunnies eating lucky clover. 

It's warm and sunny, just after a spring rain.

A majority of the time I lead mixed media in-school projects; with no two ever the same.

It's always interesting for myself as an artist, because I tend to try new things and have to explore the medium deeper.  Collaborating with teachers/teacher-librarian is also always a benefit as well as a challenge, as our two/three brains when put together come up with very interesting projects. I say it can also be a challenge when collaborating with other non-arts related teachers because as an artist going into the classroom, we are also there share our knowledge with the teachers.  Sometimes teachers can be more stuck on creating realistic works of art than the students are, or sometimes they are eager to pull out their own art materials to add into the mix - when sometimes, you just can't paint before you glue for instance.  But nevertheless it's always exciting to see teachers alongside their students eager to learn.  And we, the artists are always growing.

In my projects I rarely aim for exactness and love encouraging students to create abstract images.  It's always tough though, getting the learners to fully understand what "abstract" art is and how to create it.  At least throwing some new techniques and creative ways of creating surfaces makes up for the realism that most people tend to aim for.  Each class I learn what to do/not to do when attempting to aim for abstract.  And sometimes I just roll with it.  As long as they're enjoying themselves, that's what counts.

Satellite Studio Artist Collective

Exciting News has arrived along with this spring weather! The Satellite Studio Artist Collective (myself, Marianne Kyryluk, Sam Shahsahabi, and Riaz Mehmood) are recipients of an OAC Visual Arts Project grant! Looking forward to transforming 12A St. Paul St. in Thunder Bay into an interactive installation of everyday objects along with mechanical and technological components that responds to the actions created by audience members. The project will be complete for Urban Infill 2015, can't wait! This is a project I've been dreaming of for the past..three years. It's nice to feel your dreams coming into fruition. :) Here are some pictures from "S.I.G.N.A.L.S." a wearable art piece that the Satellite Studio collective created for this years Derelicte. (A wearable art fundraiser for Definitely Superior Artist Run Centre). Modelled by Me. :)

S.I.G.N.A.L.S. was also modelled at Definitely Superior's 2014 

Urban Infill Art in the Core 8.  

Modelled by me, at Art's Gallery next door to Satellite Studio.  

Due to the change of venue (Derelicte was in a bar, although none of these are stage shots),

I wanted to make the outfit a little more tasteful for that bright gallery light and also keep warm for the three hours I modelled.  Thus, I wore my Mummu's fox around my neck, which also added an interesting element to the piece.  I also wore my grandmothers earrings. 

Interested in viewing more wearable art /art projects by local artists involved in Urban Infill or Derelicte?

Visit Definitely Superior Art Gallery online:

http://www.definitelysuperior.com

Hudson Bay Lowlands Hat

This is my "Hudson Bay Lowlands Hat" example I've created for my upcoming Artists-in-the-5th CAHEP project at St. Bernard school. This will be the third year in a row that I've been invited to work with the same teacher, and I must say the results have been getting better and better. We have a great relationship, and because of our friendship I feel comfortable pushing boundaries and making challenging projects for the students. I can't wait to see what they create and I hope they love my example as much as I do!

Well, making these hats was by-far my favourite in-school project to date!  

So much fun!

:D

Balance and CAHEP

Well, this year has been fast paced, that's for sure.  

Seems I've been practicing the art of Balance.  Which can be challenging.  

Mostly mentally,
as borders become hard to define and at times I wonder if they're necessary.  

Borders are merely abstract ideas we create in order to organize and make sense of our social selves.  So when I'm wondering if I've been spending enough time doing this or that... 

it's all part of the same puzzle and fills my days with Art.  

So is there a line between Art and Life?  I'm not sure.  

But believing their aren't any lines separating my self makes me feel sane and grounded.  

Mental balance is more important than physical.  

Artists practice balancing their days -- going from teaching grade fours, to working at a community group, to meetings, organizing programs, making art, selling art,
creating commissions.... 

So if we get stuck on how our days are "suppose" to look like... we would go crazy!

I'm thinking about this as I've been having an interesting past couple weeks, and have been

pondering the position artists maintain in society.  

Working for non-profit organizations, 

we offer free art programming for the public and especially those that cannot access creative activities alone.  Almost every day during a free March break camp for CAHEP (Community Arts & Heritage Education Project), someone asked if I was a volunteer-- 

and I could hear in their tone of voice that they assumed I was a volunteer.  

I would just chuckle, as I laughed at peoples notions of what it means to be an artist.  

All I can say is I am very happy and enthusiastic about my work, and the chance I get to work in the community, provide creative opportunities, and brighten peoples days.
Thanks CAHEP!

 ... and why I went off about balance is because I now am assisting CAHEP in organizing some of their community outreach programs.
It's a very rewarding job, and hasn't been too much to handle.  

But at times I do have to give myself that extra push
to get into the studio and do something for me.
And so far I have done it.  

Other times I have to accept that there are no lines. 

I shouldn't be doing this or that.  I just Am.

Live Life Art!

Interested in CAHEP?  Visit their website or find them on Facebook :)
http://cahep.ca