Travelling, painting, and a show!
“Once” Acrylic and Oil on Yupo, 7.75” x 8”
I wrote this to you from Costa Rica, hola!
The past few years have been marked by change, adventure, and travel. Throw in some self-discovery, painting, and self-reflection. A couple years ago, I decided to embark on a life that involves a lot of travel. Being an oil painter who travels a bunch has not always been the easiest, so I’ve adapted some of my practice in order to continue painting and creating artwork while I’m away from my home studio. Two things that to me seem in opposition to each other: painting and travel. For me, painting is a contemplative and meditative practice. Travel is the opposite! Change, occasional discomfort, constant logistical and comfort considerations. Often out of my comfort zone. At times I had to adjust my expectations about maintaining a thriving painting practice while living a nomadic life. This meant a change in the scale of my work, and sometimes medium. The paintings became smaller, more intimate, and I used quicker drying mediums like acrylic and acrylic gouache.
To give you an idea of my travel itinerary since the Fall of 2022:
1. BC
2. California (North to South!)
3. Arizona
4. New Mexico
5. Colorado
6. Back to Calgary
7. California (North to South! I do love this State)
8. BC
9. France
10. Back to Calgary
11. Costa Rica
During this time, I’ve been making new paintings - the majority of them while away from my studio. Eight of the paintings from the body of work that I’ve titled “Away” have been selected by curator Xanthe Isbister at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre to be part of a group show titled ‘The Feminine Lived Experience’. It’s really an honour to be part of this show.
Some thoughts about this body of work:
“Away” is about the ways in which we can leave ourselves, and others. We can be left. We can do the leaving. Physically, mentally, emotionally. For minutes, or for years. This made me reflect a great deal on the idea of presence, and how often I am present (or not) in my own life.
I hope you have the opportunity to see this work in person. Paintings should always be seen in real life if possible! The show is up until June 21, 2025. There will be an artist talk on March 21 - I’ll send more information in March, closer to the date.
If you’re not in the Medicine Hat area, you can view the entire show HERE, virtually, in 3D.
My website also shows the eight paintings on display, and you can see the additional pieces in this body of work HERE
Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear from you.
K.