Art is like a drug to me......

"THE BRIDE". Student artist.




"FACES ON CANVAS" Student artist. Loved, Loved this piece. Would I like this one for my place. YES!



Last weekend I went to Vancouver to the Emily Carr School of Art & Design grad exhibition. One of the ladies I work with has completed her degree this year and she had her work on display. Of course a degree from this school is respected in the art community and I wanted to show my support and enthusiasm for this accomplishment by going to see the show. It had been a busy week but I was so glad to get out there to meet a friend and wander around the gallery together.




So this is the work I went to see. I considered my friend who painted this and how I perceive her and what I know about her.
This tells another story I think and I can't wait to work with her to ask her if "I got her idea". Each panel seems to be a different area of our Canadian landscape. There is a girl who appears to be an immigrant standing not in front of - or behind but inbetween a wrought iron panel. So, I wonder what she is trying to say here....................... "The piece is titled " Wonder how i ended up here, Better keep smiling "



There was some amazing stuff there. It totally intrigues me how a mind can envision something and then produce it for the rest of us to enjoy. What were they thinking? What was the inspiration? Am I suppose to get it - because sometimes I truly don't..... and what it must feel like for the artist when they catch someone admiring thier work - Is it difficult to sell original pieces of art? It would be like letting go of something in your home you are attached to. Sometimes it's not about the money you could get for it right? It's almost irreplaceable. But I suppose that's what fuels thier creativeness. A mind so full of ideas that what sets them apart is that they are always a step ahead of those who try to emulate ( or dare I say copy ) thier style?
The true artist. I just think they are interesting, cool people.
So I came away feeling rejuvenated and actually the day looked brighter and more colorful than ever before.
Artistic types flavor our world. Like salt on food. Our world would seem like greyscale without them and it reminds me alot of why I loved Savannah, Georgia so much on my previous roadtrip last March. It is a town with flavor. Musically, artistically, architecturally, and the wafts of seaside smells paired with the hot sun on the pavement and chefs (who can be artists themselves) who send sweet smells into the air to taunt us make for a "colorful and artistic" experience.




SUPPORT YOUNG ARTISTS BUY A BAG CAMPAIGN... This is great. You purchase a shopping bag that has been handmade by a local artist. They get the money and you get a cool bag. Clever.




IN A LOCAL COFFEE SHOPPE, AN ARTIST WORKS ON A PIECE WHILE WE CHAT AROUND HER. PRETTY COOL STUDIO RIGHT? SHE HAS A GLASS OF WINE GOING THERE AND THERE ARE LOCAL ARTISTSWORK ON THE WALLS THAT CAN BE PURCHASED. THE COFFEE SHOPPE HAS MIX MATCHED BIG OLD FURNITURE IN CRUSHED VELVET AND TAPESTRY PATTERNS AND LOW COFFEE TABLES SCATTERED HERE AND THERE. THE BATHROOM WALLS WERE PLASTERED WITH INTERESTING BUSINESS CARDS AND YOU COULD STAND AND LOOK (OR SIT AND LOOK) AND TRULY HAVE A RELAXING EXPERIENCE.









I am a true believer that we can buy all kinds of things that are manufactured for our pleasure and convenience but there is something very special about things that are produced as a labor of love and inspiration and by the hand that perceived the thought. The next time you look at an artist... think "color in this world".

And that's all I have to say about that. . (for now)