Deborah Borsos’s Weblog
The Art of Philately Project- about art, community culture, mountains,stamps…and moreArchive for August, 2008
Tar Paper Shacks and August Gardens
Well, for those of you who know the on-going saaaga of my mythic studio…here is another instalment. It is being built, as many things are here, on “kootenay time” which expands and contracts and things that once seemed desperately in need of finishing sometimes have to sit a while, (like a year or 2 or 9) whilst 10 other projects and distractions are dealt with.
This particular “project” (the studio) has been rolling along now since 2002. After many years here Im still not used to Kootenay time. (I do weird things like get to appointments ON TIME for instance….) But this is in fact another fine example of “Basin culture”. I have experienced this type of thing in the Gulf Islands (where once I roamed, delivering the post for a short time on Mayne Is.) but its not as enmeshed in the culture there as it seems to be here.Probably because people there have to be on time at some point, or they will miss a ferry!…. The factors of :distance to travel (for example) to an appointment, avalanches, wash outs, road work, RV’s (in summer), and all the rubber necking required to appreciate the gorgeous scenery around here all add up to most people getting somewhere mostly on time, sort of. Its kind of relaxed in that way. I wouldnt go as far as saying “sssllooowww” but it is relaxed;laid back,chilled; you get the picture. Part of the Basin’s culture.
But back to the studio… Due to a series of fortunate events, I am proceeding this summer with one more step towards completion of said building , aka : ”creative temple” or – ”dust heaven”. (If you happen to work in pastel, you will appreciate that last title) . So, due to the imminent arrival of “Mr Stucco contractor”, we had to put on the tar paper and do the framing around doors and windows etc etc now (rather than later…). Stucco, by the way was not my first choice of sheathing for the studio. I had in mind something more like cedar shakes….until it was pointed out to me (by my oh so practical in-house carpenter/fire warden type) that cedar will burn reallly well (we live in the middle of a forest) AND woodpeckers happily make short work of such places in their quest for a tasty bug or two (who hide behind the shakes). So I came around to going with stucco, and the contractor knows I would enjoy a more “adobe” look, rather than the “sparkle-y rocks” type of thing you see on 1960’s era houses….(“sparkly” is just not my cup o’ tea ,as it were). Just as soon as its done, Ill post a picture of the little dickens. (the studio, that is, not the contractor)…
Thus, the Art of Philately images will be somewhat stalled/delayed for a wee while . A construction zone isn’t all that condusive to painting, alas. And I have yet to master the art of painting with one hand and hammering with the other…. However the best part is that Im going to be one step closer to a completed space to create more art- and in fact one in which people could even…visit… . I ask you, – how much better can it get?
On another note, our lovely garden has finally reached the status, as it usually does in summer, of “jungle”. We could feed several armies with all the delectables that were so unwittingly and enthusiastically planted way back in spring when the first hint of “normal temperatures” came down the road. Below is a fine example of the “veggie patch”. I know it is hard to pick out any actual veggies, with all those pesky flowers in the picture, but thats the way it goes around here. I do tend to give equal time and space to veg and flower alike, since both are so necessary to ones peace of mind and health I reckon! (Okay. Its probably 60-40 in favour of flowers…..) but there you have it. I cant help it when I know what stunning colours come from all those seeds…..its too much to resist Im afraid!.
find the veggies in this garden...!
The opening for my “Carpets and Mirrors” show went swimmingly by the way. Thanks to all those who came by; its always so much fun to see everyone and talk nothing but art all evening!. And thanks Lisa (see comments section….) for your kind comments about “Red Carpet”, which is in my Carpets and Mirrors show. Several people commented positively on that particular piece. Hmmm, does this mean Im progressing with my pastel work? hooray! .
I also had a delightful email recently, reporting that I was a finalist in an international (online) exhibit I had entered. They had 1,369 entries from all over the world and chose 116 as finalists. So I felt totally honoured to be chosen as a finalist, even though I didnt make it to the top prize winners. And the bonus is you can see and study an awesome mitt full of other finalists work who also entered! if you are curious, here is the website: www.artkudos.com . (My pastel on canvas piece, “Day into Dusk” is on one of the finalist pages for viewing). Cheers, til next time. DB
Practice.
As a visual artist you are in a constant state of practice. I think it’s a life long aspect of the “job” of being an artist; because once you get it perfect (and who ever does?) whats the fun in that?.
So in an ongoing course of practicing, I am able to get certain projects completed and new ones started, overlapping at times, and I’m never without something to complete and Im always learning something new. (How lucky am I, eh?…..)
Ive just completed (last week) all the pieces for my “Carpets & Mirrors” show, due to open tomorrow night in Nelson as part of the 20th year of Artwalk shows, at the All Seasons Cafe. For those not familiar with the ways of Nelson Artwalk, allow me to bring you up to speed…
There are various venues around town, such as restaurants, clothing stores, jewellry stores, etc; any business who wishes to take part in fact.
They hang artwork throughout the summer with two opening nights; one in July and one in August, so that many local artists can exhibit. The openings are generally fun occasions, with people grabbing a brochure and map, and going from venue to venue between 6 and 9 pm on the opening night; and some returning later to have a second look at the artwork during the month they are on display. I’ve attended a number of artwalk opening nights now, and it’s like old home week; I get to see many people who I dont normally run into the rest of the year, and meet (hundreds?-feels like it sometimes…!) of new folks as well, which is great.
Some people are unsure about going to the restaurant venues, but I can assure you that no, you don’t have to go and have a meal there though they are all fab places to gnosh, should you want to go back at a different time and enjoy some leisurely dining. Nelson does, after all have quite a number (over 50?) of places to eat.
For once, Im very happy with every piece in this show. They are not, of course (!), “perfect” but I am getting closer to the style I would like to consistently achieve over time. (see below for two examples)
Title piece: Carpets & Mirrors
Best go and finish packing the car for the trip down the lake. And after the opening? Its Art of Philately painting all the way-yeehaw!. Til next time.DB
Location, Location.
Well, it does make a difference.
You can hold a cultural event just about anywhere; in a gym, in a church, or at the beach, but in the case of Kaslo, holding it at the beach is far and away the best choice (rain or shine). We spent Friday evening being thoroughly entertained by various talented musicians from near and far, at Jazzfest Etc. After a brief opening of the heavens, the clouds became a lovely visual feast and not merely something to curse at as they rolled along behind the mountains. It is a perfect example of landscape influencing and adding to culture in the Kootenays.
Sitting 10 feet from the water, with the cathedral of mountains to admire behind the (floating) stage it was quite lovely. I had great plans to sketch whilst there, but in the rush to get out the door in the morning…I left my pastels behind.
Ahem. However, I did have the camera with me, so have lots of reference pix to choose from for the “Loki portrait” (painting #2 in the project)and will most likely go back to the park for more sketching (after Jazzfest).
As mentioned above, location is oh so important, in many things. Recently I was driving through Kaslo around sunrise (see below) and it occurred to me that perhaps a trend is occurring. The new owners of the Kaslo hotel have been renovating for a year or two now, and by golly; they have done a brilliant thing. They put big windows and a deck out the BACK side of the hotel. This offers magnificent views of the lake which I would think would make staying there far more attractive than in the past….
For some reason, all shops face away from the water on half of Front street – such a shame!. Perhaps they have started something…and in time Water street will be used to best advantage.
Best get out to the studio to work on those pix. Until next time.DB
