Blog

When I embarked on a Residency at the Tidal Art Centre, I had no idea where that month spent might take me in my work.  It has only been a month and a half since settling back in to my freshly re-organized studio. The experience away jolted me, in a good way. I am looking at my process differently, slowing down and moving in new ways, exploring mark-making and playing with shapes.

Of course watery images still swim in my minds eye. Come with me on the journey, as I begin to share my process working towards a new body of work.

Already three weeks into my residency at the Tidal Art Centre in Lund, BC. The Tidal Art Centre, the brainchild of visionary, Nancy Jeakins, the Centre is a true hub of community. With the theme WATER, the Centre hosted numerous events to promote better understanding of the oceans: the life force of our planet. The week included a 'water' film festival, presentations on oysters and plankton, films on whales and whale song and a group exhibition by local artists.

My connection to this year's artist in residence programme is focused on exploring through painting and sculpture, the magic of the ocean. Whether I am wandering the shoreline, inter-tidal zones, underwater seaweeds, eel grasses or exploring the teeniest plankton, I am enthralled with water. 

It has been a pleasure coming together with local artists, writers, scholars, musicians and tai chi practitioners. It has been an honour to be living on the lands of the Tla'amin Nation, if even for this brief time. And with another week to soak up the heart and soul of this special place, I am inspired.

So excited to have been invited as Artist-In-Residence in Lund, British Columbia for the month of August...imagine... surrounded by the ever-changing ocean, tall trees and wonderful people who call this place home. Here, I will be inspired by the surroundings rich with colours, textures, motion and the joy of making new work.

This is the last weekend of a wonderfully successful solo exhibition. It has been thrilling to see friends and colleagues and to meet new folks interested in my art practice ... both as potter and painter. Many of the works have sold, but please drop by to see the work before the exhibition closes on Sunday.  Here is a taste of the installation of the kayaks and umiaks and some of the paintings you'll find there.

Xchanges Gallery and Artist-run-centre is a great space and hub of many exhibitions throughout the year. As well, they host three life-drawing sessions each week... on Monday evening and Wednesday and Thursday morning. Check out their website to find out more about upcoming events.

Xchanges Gallery  Sat. June 22 and Sun. June 23 from 11am - 4pm

2333 Government Street

Victoria, BC 

In PASSAGE, kayak and umiak forms depict adaptation; reveal the bones of our experience and the flotsam we gather along the way.  Accompanying works on paper and canvas create a landscape of hope. This work is a call to explore the metaphor of transformation in times of life changes.

I am excited to share this work at Xchanges Gallery and Artist-run-centre in this solo exhibition. The work represents my own transformation from a lengthy career as a professional working potter to painter. The sculptural forms are the last works I made in clay and the drawings and paintings are current explorations of the ongoing transition.

The annual Collab'ART event is held at Central Middle School in Victoria, British Columbia. Twenty professional artists in the area are invited to work with middle school students to provide an apprentice-master experience in visual art. I was fortunate to be among those selected to participate in this adventure. 

The programme has a double purpose. Firstly, to inspire young students who have an interest in art, but limited exposure to professionals in the field. Each artist is matched to a student with whom they work for the day.  Working together, Ayan and I were able to tackle and complete two 16" x 20" images in oil on canvas.

Secondly, Collab'ART  raises funds with an exhibition and live auction of all of the artwork. A wonderful art adventure for students, artists and the community. It was such fun connecting with a young artist , as it brought back memories of those who inspired me along the way.

OCEAN, In Paint & Pixels opened on Sunday, June 10. Here we are at Metropolis Gallery.

Beginning as an homage to one sailing journey, this series grew into a passion. The ocean has always drawn me; through scuba diving, sailing and two seasons deck-handing on a West Coast gill-netter.

Each painting is a process of layering thin applications of oil paint, building colour over colour which creates depth and light. The immediacy is exhilarating. 

Seagrass meadows are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Learning about the restoration and conservation of eel grass beds in the Salish Sea around Vancouver Island where I reside has opened my eyes to a deeper dimension in my paintings.

The exhibition continues through June 10-15, from 1-4pm daily.

Close observation and scrutiny of seaweed haunts me. It's part visual memory of my scuba diving experiences and ongoing research into the important role of Macroalgae eco systems in sustaining our planet. All of this is married to my passion for exploring a mark-making language of my own. Follow me on my journey... until next time, Kathi