Sharing Stories

online teaching, in my studio

In my teaching practice, I spend a lot of time on materials and techniques.

Mastering our materials takes time and often involves a lot of messes and mistakes. Once we’ve put in those many hours, it’s easy to look back and see that mistakes are actually important. They are the fast forward of learning. Because more than anything, we want to learn to avoid them.

Sometimes what we need to learn from each other as artists is concrete: what mediums do we work with, how do we get that orange? 
But what’s also important is that we hear how we become artists. What inspires us? What are our challenges, aspirations, and inspirations? Just as much as learning about paint and perspective, these stories help us keep going and succeed as artists. 

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Margret Petrie for her wonderful podcast Authentic Obsessions. Here’s her mission statement:

The world is filled with prolific artists who have an obsessive hunger to create. Join me for conversations with artists embracing the joy and uncertainty that fuels their work.

Listen in as we delve into creative obsessions, supportive communities, getting stuck, studio spaces, and setting boundaries.

Acknowledge the mess and keep going!

(I knew I’d like her when I read the last sentence.) 

I’ve also been interviewing artists and posting short videos in which they share images, talk about their work, and tell their stories, on my Facebook Community Artwork Artplay. So far I have had chats with the west coast artists and joyful colourists Marion Evamy and Lucy Schappy. I am looking forward to this regular infusion to both my own and Artwork Artplay’s art world. You can find the videos on my YouTube channel:

Interview with Marion Evamy

Interview with Lucy Schappy

One day we’ll be able to learn from each other face to face again. Until then we can still share our stories.