Okanagan Lake Region of British Columbia was our final stop during our three week summer camping trip this year.
Ruthie and I camped for a week and participated with BC Parents for French Family Camp along the lake side. The camp was excellent, she has so much fun, and I got some time to read a novel and go for a few beautiful walks and hikes.
Here are the best pictures for Breathing Space this month. enjoy!
2 Day Fundamentals Workshop in Abstract Painting using Acrylics & Mixed Media. Design,
colour, layering. Emphasis on creative process. Full workshop details and materials list at http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Workshops.html
in Vancouver, BC. September 24 & 35. $350
Register: info@debchaney.com (604) 736-5111
OCTOBER 2011
Thick & Layered Acrylic Painting (weekend intensive)
2 Day Workshop. Build & dig back into thick layers; Transparent, Translucent & Opaque.
Sanding, Etching & Removal Techniques.
Full workshop details and materials list at http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Workshops.htmlin Vancouver, BC Sat & Sunday 9-4 October 29 & 30. $350 (reduced price)
Register: info@debchaney.com (604) 736-5111
NOVEMBER 2011
Collage Creations (weekend intensive)
2 Day Workshop. Fundamentals in collage. Stained papers, marbling, split ink, gold leaf,
transfers, lazertran & embedded objects.
Full workshop details and materials list at http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Workshops.html
DECEMBER 2011
The Secrets of Illuminated ArtistTM (weekend retreat)
2 Day Inner Journey. Learn things that stop artists and 10 powerful secrets to overcome them. Bring your own creative projects and receive support.
Location in or close to Vancouver TBA Saturday & Sunday December 10 & 11. $350
Illustration/Drawing competition
for BC High School Students
We are looking for three (3) simple, whimsical, fun, child-like drawings that illustrate any three of the following ideas:
1. A girl getting her nails done.
2. A hand holding a pencil and writing words in a journal.
3. A person doodling on a sketch pad.
4. A lit wax candle in a holder.
5. An artist standing back from her painting on an easel and scrutinizing it.
6. A glass of wine next to a plate of sliced cheese, crackers and apples.
7. An old fashioned clock with an emphasis on a ten minute segment in time.
8. A dinner plate with a healthy looking dinner next to a glass of water.
9. A person thoughtfully imagining they are making pottery.
10. Someone walking down a beach or in down a forest path.
11. A person on a swing, swinging happily.
12. A person putting their hand on their heart and taking a deep breathe.
13. A group of five friends sitting around a campfire.
14. A person sitting on a cushion and meditating.
15. A little wall shelf with things on it such as a few books, flowers in a vase, a framed photograph, a sea shell, etc .
16. An ice cream sundae with all the toppings
We suggest you use a black india ink pen for your original drawing and then scan them for your submission. Keep your originals.
Email your submissions to: ITAWcontest@gmail.com with the following information:
your first and last name, your mailing address, your phone number, your email, your grade, your school.
Prizes
First Prize.
- The winner featured as a selected artist interview online and published at http://debchaney.blogspot.com.
- The winner will have your images published and used in one of more illuminate the Artist Within™ creative products.
- The winner will be offered a spot of their choice in any one 2-day weekend workshops offered in 2011 in basic abstract painting, or advanced thick acrylic painting, or collage creations by Deb Chaney (visit www.debchaney.com “workshops” for full workshop details) valued at $350.
- The winner will receive a $150 gift certificate valid at OPUS Framing and Art Supplies.
Second Prize.
- The runner up will have your images published and used in one of more illuminate the Artist Within™ creative products.
- The runner up will be offered a spot in any one 2-day weekend workshops offered in 2011 in basic abstract painting, or advanced thick acrylic painting, or collage creations by Deb Chaney (visit www.debchaney.com “workshops” for full workshop details) valued at $350.
- The runner up will receive a $100 gift certificate valid at OPUS Framing and Art Supplies.
Third Prize.
- Will have your images published and used in one of more illuminate the Artist Within™ creative products.
- A spot in his/her choice in any of their choice in any one 2-day weekend workshops offered in 2011 in basic abstract painting, or advanced thick acrylic painting, or collage creations by Deb Chaney (visit www.debchaney.com “workshops” for full workshop details) valued at $350.
- $50 gift certificate valid at OPUS Framing and Art Supplies.
The winners will be posted and announced online at 7:30 am Tuesday October 25th, 2011 at http://debchaney.blogspot.com and each winner be contacted individually via Email and/or phone to receive their prizes.
This competition is being judged and run by local Vancouver artist, Deb Chaney. Deb is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists and has been selling her mixed media abstract paintings internationally for over 10 years. As well as maintaining her own studio practice, she is also a published writer, and an international workshop facilitator with Illuminate the Artist Within™, a company whose mission is to playfully and compassionately illuminate the artist within each and everyone of us. Illuminate the Artist Within™ offers workshops, retreats, and a line of products designed to support creativity. The winners of this competition will have their illustrations appear in one or more of our creative products. You can see Deb’s portfolio and more about her at www.debchaney.com
Attention: BC High School art teachers (public and private schools):
Dear BC High School Art Teacher,
Re: Illuminate the Artist Within TM September 2011 Illustration competition
Please allow me to introduce myself as a professional working artist in Vancouver offering an illustration competition for high school art students with two goals in mind; to increase awareness of students of working artists and career opportunities in the arts, and secondly to provide an opportunity to have their artwork published.
This September 2011 “Illuminate the Artist WithinTM” Drawing competition is open to any high school student in a public or private BC High School. Specifically we’re looking for illustrations/drawings that are simple, whimsical, fun, child-like that capture the essence of Illuminate the Artist WithinTM. The winning illustrators will receive the prizes listed and have his/her artwork published.
Illuminate the Artist WithinTM is a company whose mission is to playfully and compassionately illuminate the artist within each and everyone of us, awakening our creative potential and realizing that our lives are the masterpiece of our own creation. We offer workshops, retreats, and a line of products designed to support creativity. The winners of this competition will have their illustrations appear in one or more of our creative products.
Students artists are asked to Email their three (3) drawings/submissions to itawcontest@gmail.com by Friday October 15th, 2011 by 12 midnight. The winners will be posted and announced online at 7:30 am Tuesday October 25th, 2011 at http://debchaney.blogspot.com and each winner be contacted individually via Email and/or phone to receive their prizes.
PRESS RELEASE
BC STUDENTS TO BENEFIT IN FALL DRAWING COMPETITION HOSTED BY VANCOUVER ARTIST DEB CHANEY
VANCOUVER – August 19, 2011 – Local Vancouver Artist, founder of Illuminate The Artist Within™, launches illustration competition for high school art students. Its aim is to increase student awareness of working artists and career opportunities in the arts and to provide an opportunity to have their artwork published. The winners also receive credit at OPUS Art Supplies and attend a 2-day painting workshop valued at $350.
“When I was in high school I LOVED art and had a natural affinity to being creative, however I was not encouraged or supported to pursue an “artsy fartsy” career and did not realize what was possible. It’s my hope that students that are exposed to the contest realize that there are artists out there – like myself – who are making art, being creative, and making a living doing so.”
The Illuminate the Artist Within™ Illustration Competition is open to all high school students across BC. The winning illustrator receives a $150 gift certificate valid at OPUS Framing and Art Supplies, a spot on the featured artist page at http://debchaney.blogspot.com, a 2-day painting workshop valued at $350 and finally, and their work will be featured in some Illuminate the Artist Within™ products. Student artists are asked to email their (3) drawings to itawcontest@gmail.com by Friday October 15th, 2011. For ideas on what to draw, participants are asked to visit http://debchaney.blogspot.com The winners will be posted and announced online on Deb’s blog at 7:30 am Tuesday October 25th, 2011.
Illuminate the Artist Within™ is a company whose mission is to playfully and compassionately engage the artist that lives inside each and everyone of us, awakening our creative potential and realizing that our lives are the masterpiece of our own creation.
Chaney is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists and has been selling her mixed media abstract paintings internationally for over 10 years. As well as maintaining her own studio practice, she is also a published writer, and workshop facilitator.
Read more about contest:
http://debchaney.blogspot.com
For more information, please contact
Adrian Sinclair
adrian@transformationprojects.ca
778.837.8889
In the Media:
Peace Arch News/Entertainment
BC Local News Online
http://www.bclocalnews.com/entertainment/130294993.html
We looked at an old series of work he'd done in '99 - some energetic gestural sketches inspired by Picasso in charcoal on paper and discussed turning these into a small show.
We looked at the newest additions to his recent work - amazing to see the link between all the 9 x12" pieces as the series grows and he continues to evolve and explore in textures and mediums.
Then with cups of tea we plunked down on the living room floor and looked at the extensive collection of art books on drawing, painting, acrylics, mixed media, collage and creating textures in Tim's collection…what fun! Here are my favorites from his dozens of books we looked through:
The Surface Treatment Workshop: Explore 45 Mixed-Media Techniques by Darlene Olivia McElroy and Sandra Duran Wilson.
And here is a peak of my favorite page inside the book:
NEW ACRYLICS Essential Sourcebook: Materials, Techniques and contemporary Application for Today's Artist, by Rheni Tauchid. link to amazon information.
And here is a peak of my favorite page inside the book:
Pretty basic book from my standpoint but if you were looking for a getting started in acrylics book I would rather recommend Patti Brady's book over this one by a long shot. It didn't really pull me in.
The Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed Media Artists: Experimental Techniques for Composition, Layering, Texture, Imagery and Encaustic, by Ann Baldwin.
Link to amazon information.
And here is a peak of my favorite page inside the book:
(artwork by Ann Baldwin)
I love this book, especially because Ann goes the extra mile to show us how she creates the depth and layering in her painting by showing pictures of paintings in process. Most of the other books just show completed art or pieces of a project to outline a specific technique whereas in this book you get to see the entire painting evolve.
And here is a peak of my favorite page inside the book:
(the base of this art piece is made with aluminum foil)
This would be fantastic book if you like structure and want a way to practice making abstract art with a lot of guidance for each project in terms of laying out the colour palette, composition and building on those fundamentals. I wouldn't buy this book personally and I found many of the paintings in the book to be very similar which was a bit boring - just my opinion.
A practical Guide to freeing the artist within: Expressive Drawing, by Steven Aimone.
And here is a peak of my favorite page inside the book:
This is by far one of the best books of the lot with amazing photographs, instructions, easy to follow, and totally inspirational. I absolutely want to play around with the exercise shown in the above page whereby you draw something for a set amount of time and then paint over it and then go back to drawing --- way cool! Apparently, this guy - Steve Aimone -- does workshops and now I'm curious to learn more about him and his extraordinary sounding workshops… :)
Art from Intuition: overcoming your fears and obstacle to making art, by Dean Nimmer.
Love the top 10 list of obstacles to making art. Really enjoyed browsing this book. I would buy this book.
Karen, please share with us your journey on becoming the artist you are now.
Please tell us about how you have been supported in your journey of being an artist.
Six of the Wilderness pieces were exhibited at Gallery Gachet in 2010 in a group show called “Animal as Subject: Exploring the Complex Relationship between Human and Animal” and I led and presented a paper at a panel discussion in conjunction with that exhibit.
“Princess” comments on the current revival of stereotypical girlhood through the “princess phase” which is being marketed as a ‘natural’ part of girlhood and, according to The New York Times book reviewer Annie Murphy Paul, “should qualify as an official development stage”. However, is this contemporary princess craze that is being gobbled up by girls and parents alike a product of the disappearance of Feminism through the “preference for stereotypical girlhood … [and] the increase in anti-feminist ideas” or a “new sexism’? In her 2010 book “Living Dolls: The Return of Sexism” Natasha Walter states, “this hyper-sexual culture is getting fiercer and stronger, and is co-opting the language of choice and liberation” of the late 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s Feminisms.
Karen, I also noticed at your last open studio during the Uncommon Show 2011 two books out with your name on them as a contributor. Can you tell us about those books and your collaborative photographic contribution.
The first book is a collaboration with poet Catherine Owen. It is called “Cusp/detritus: an experiment in alleyways” and was published by Anvil Press in 2006. Catherine wrote incredible prose poems and a variety of other forms of poetry like lyrics and glosas about marginalized mentally ill and/ or drug-addicted street youth. I photographed discarded/ found objects in East Vancouver alleyways. I think it is particularly interesting that this book, created by two feminists, features primarily young men. It shows that men are also affected negatively by the oppression and violences of a hierarchical patriarchal system.
The second book is also a collaboration with two poets (Joe Rosenblatt and Catherine Owen) called ‘Dog’. It was published by Mansfeild Press in Toronto in 2008. ‘Dog’ originated with my series “Perros: Dogs of Central Havana”. When I was in Cuba in 2000, I photographed every dog I saw for a week. When Joe Rosenblatt saw these photographs, he was struck by how these dogs are all without humans (unlike in the First World where dogs are connected to their masters to such an extent that they almost become accessories!). Joe thought that these dogs represented the essence of dog and started to write sonnets about them. Catherine soon got on board and before you knew it, she and Joe were writing ‘conjoined sonnets’ where one of them would write the octet and the other would write the sextet. This had never been done before in Canadian poetry … if anywhere. Springing from my humble Cuban canines, the poets went wild and lunged out into Canis Major and Canis Minor and then down into Cerebes, the three-headed dog from Hell. It is a really fun and one-of-a-kind book!
(You can buy either book from me or from Anvil Press or Mansfield Press)
As your main source of lively hood you run a portrait business. Can you please tell us about that?
Yes. After exhibiting and publishing as a fine artist for 12 years, I decided to use the technical skills, sensitivities and insights to take portraits of people and, yes, dogs. I have developed a technique of photographing people where, though a process of conversation, recollection, memory and articulating beliefs and values, I am able to create portraits of people that document an authentic inner essence. And, with the dogs, well, I just love their personalities and aesthetic beauty!
I also do photo-restoration. Here are some before and after shots of a photograph I restored for a client:
I understand you are enrolled in the Self Employment Class at YMCA. What are the three top things you have learned about marketing yourself and promoting your business that you would share with our readers?
After teaching ESL for 10 years, I was given the opportunity to take a voluntary lay off and pursue my photography absolutely. I am currently enrolled in the New Ventures Self-Employment Program through the YMCA where I am learning everything about running my own business. It is helping me define and focus on what it is that makes me unique in the highly saturated Vancouver photographic portrait market and also learn how to market myself (and keep the books, of course, which is challenging for a distinctly right-brained person!).
What recent or upcoming shows/and or gallery representation can we look out for or go and see of your work?
Currently, I am focusing on my portrait business so don’t have any shows planned. But, of course, you can come and see me and my work at the Eastside Culture Crawl this year. My latest project, “Princess”, is still in process so I have no exhibits booked as of yet.
If someone reading this blog would like to see more of your work, visit an upcoming art show, hire your services or get a hold of you, how would they do so?
You can see my portrait work and commission me to photograph you, your family, your kids or your dog through www.karenmoephotography.com or e-mail me at karenmoephotography@gmail.com.
Karen, Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this interview!
During the summer we drove from Port Townsend, WA camping and hiking along the way to our final Olympic Peninsula destination, Sol Duc Hotsprings. The countryside right next to the ocean really captured me and I thought I'd share some of the photos I took while walking around one of our campsites during this trip. Enjoy!
The painting that got the brunt of it today. It's a biggun.
Besides letting in TONS of natural light ( thank you, thank you, thank you) (big adjustment after living in a basement for the last year!) The view out these large window is of east Vancouver and is awesome. If you crane your head to the left you can see the water as the ARC is located right next to the Port of Vancouver.
What I LOVE most about this studio (besides the 10' high ceilings, natural light and the fact that i am surrounded by other amazing, kind and supportive artists) is the wall set up I put up with three 2 x 4" beams which enable me to hang paintings in process in different ways so that I can stand back and get a feel for the painting from a distance. I've never had this in any of my studios before and I so appreciate this new feature!
There is space for an extra table adjacent to my main working table which private mentorship students use for their weekly lessons and the extra space has allowed me also to organize all my paints and mediums nicely in two IKEA shelves along the wall for easy access.
The art from inside the boutique.
The art from inside the boutique.
View of the art from outside the boutique.
View of the art from outside the boutique.
Close up "Uncommon Lines" I & II, both 30" x 48" Mixed Media & Acrylics on Canvas (c) Deb Chaney 2011 and available for purchase. info@dechaney.com (604) 736-5111
Close up "Uncommon Lines" I & II, both 30" x 48" Mixed Media & Acrylics on Canvas (c) Deb Chaney 2011 and available for purchase. info@dechaney.com (604) 736-5111
Lushuz Boutique
2352 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC – v6k 1p1
Phone 604.738.9333
Store Hours
Sunday – 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Monday to Saturday – 11:00am to 6:00pm
lushuz@shaw.ca
Marie, How did you find out about The Arc and tell us about your art form that allowed you to live here... (Marie you gotta tell them about your $400 car!)
I spent the last decade migrating from Buffalo NY, to Roam Italy, Bali Indonesia, Byronbay Austrailya, Philadelphia USA, Aceh Indonesia, Shanghi and Beijing China, Toronto Canada, Back to Bali, Sayuilta Mexico, and then I returned to NY. My experience living, working, studying, and volunteering in these extraordinary places was inspiring and educational but I had no deep roots. I was looking to grow some and begin to “settle down”.
In early 2010 my partner and I were living in a sleepy little surf town in Mexico. The environment was stunningly beautiful, the out door recreation splendid, and the culture… well it was interesting…. After spending two months surfing and watching the locals party hard in the bull fighting ring behind our apartment, we decided that it was time to plant some routs in a place that could fulfill our love for the outdoors and our creative/ intellectual appetite. Cultural and culinary diversity are extremely important to us as well, so we began looking for a thriving metropolis to live in.
My work visa for Canada took president and the icy east where I grew up was not the environment I longed for. Vancouver boasted mild climate, an international community, some of the best and most assessable winter sports, and a large documentary community! We set our sites on the west and within 8 months we were on our way!
We sold our two door sports car and traded it in for a 1979 Chevy G10 “creeper” van (AKA: The A-Team Van!). Which we lovingly named Sketch! We bought it off a couple of Aussies who were leaving the next day for South America on a two year round the world adventure. For the bargain basement price of $400 we got the van, a tent, blow up mattress, cooking stove, tennis rackets, cooler, and a packet of hamburger helper. We popped some bright yellow NY state plates on it, loaded it up to the brim with all of your most valuable possessions, and began driving west.
At first the only place we could rent was on Salt Spring Island. So we over shot a bit but finally landed a spot in a unique community of artists here in Vancouver. Becoming a part of this community means a lot to both of us. Nothing beats the collective energy of artists.
Tell us about your art education and background in your specific field.... Why did you choose to specialize in this area, what captivates you about this art form?
My arts education began at the age of 14 in Austria when my father put a 35mm camera into my hands. It was then that I begin to understand the power of the frame. I became fascinated with composition and the ability to tell story through pictures. Being dyslexic, this method of communication translated more easily to me than written language. The only problem was… I didn’t like the dark room. The name of the room says it all. No light… no interest. Not to mention the chemicals drove me nuts.
Luckily I had the privilege of being noticed by a well known mural painter from my home town and a new love affair with large images, paint, composition, and abstraction became the focus of my first degree in art. For the next 7 years this was my “form” though my paintings were often inspired by my photography. Wherever I traveled I still had my camera and still loved the frame. My primary focus was strong lines and contrast. Architecture, abstraction, and vibrant colors, were the stylistic tendencies of my paintings.
Train Station, Madrid, Spain, 2002, Oil on wood, 48” x 48”
In 2004 this focus would change when a 90 foot wall of water killed 200,000 Indonesians. A country I had just spent a year in and the home of my father and little brother. The tsunami rippled across the ocean to Thailand and India dragging men women and children out to sea. Not two months later the devastating Hurricane Katrina that tore through New Orleans Louisiana.
As I began to become aware of the magnitude of these events and the frivolity of the media to chase the newest disaster, forgetting the old, I quickly realized that it was up to artists, documentraians, and historians of all kinds to continue telling the stories left behind by our tabloid news agencies.
Around this time high end digital SLR cameras became affordable. Along with advances in Photoshop, these technologies enabled me to began to college my photography and translating the complex images in to large-scale paintings. Finally I could focus on photography without being stuck in the dark room.
Without intending to I had began to created documentary paintings. In the case of New Orleans I went down to take part in the first Mardi Grass after “the storm”. The festivities were full of political discourse about the inadequacies of the government. A somber yet lively group of hard core New Orleans loyalists marched through the streets defiant and proud. I also witnessed the devastation in the 9th ward. It looked like a war zone. Roofs were rumpled like paper on the top of houses; over turned buildings; and the Live Oak trees once covered in lustrous foliage and Spanish Moss were striped bare. They looked as if they had been burred upside down with their roots sticking out of the ground. My friend was working there as a social worker at the time and was also very much involved in the local artists seen. Tagging along with her enabled me to see the entire picture. The energy from both the festivities and utter devastation were so clearly linked that the colliding worlds became the focus of my piece NOLA (New Orleans Louisiana).
NOLA, 2006, acrylic on canvases, 72” x 60”
Two days after taking down my first solo show in Philadelphia I headed out on a year long trip through Asia. First stop was in Aceh to volunteer at a free women’s clinic for 10 weeks. I learned a lot about delivering babies, Islam, and political corruption. I also noticed how even Aceh, one of the most devastated places in the world, was connected to the web and accustom to consumer technologies like cell phones. They were connected! Most did not know how to use it but the infrastructure was in place for public use.
Then on to China to investigate the type of culture existing within the worlds most notorious adversary of free speech. Here the Internet cafes were enormous, packed, and all the windows were blacked out leaving no reference to the passage of time. If Ached was connected then China is completely addicted. The computer culture there is one I have never seen anywhere else. While in Beijing and Shanghi I was shocked to find a fairly well known group of out spoken artist that mocked Chinas politics through humorous pop art. This was not only interesting but inspiring.
A quick stop in Malaysia on my way back the west exposed me to the corruption of the UN. A community of Iraqi refugees welcomed me into their lives and showed me how they had been completely abandoned by the United Nations, their own government, and the international media. This community gathered around a little internet café in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Here they were spectators of the world. They had access to all the YouTube footage coming out of Iraq. They spoke on skype with their loved ones back in their war town countries, and spoke solemnly as they reveled how utterly voice less they felt in the world. This marked the beginning of my interest in citizen journalism, open source media, and Creative Commons.
Exactly one year after completing NOLA I began a graduate program in Documentary Media at Ryerson University in Toronto. I entered this school with a better understanding of how important the individual voice was to our international checks and balances. I was determined to find a way for disenfranchised people around the world to utilize technology as a mechanism to push back against the on slot of senseless TV programming and celebrity gossip. Soon I made the switch from studio arts into the world of documentary film, public art, citizen journalism, freedom of expression, and illegal art.
My current work varies significantly in form but has one underling goal. I celebrate individuals who use their creativity to speak truth to power and inspire others to be engaged with the world around them.
Punchlines for Progress, Toronto, 2009
This documentary is a form of “MashUp” video. A reflexive art form that allows the person to create their own meaning out of media based cultural artifacts. This video collage technique utilizes fair use policies in order to help people surpass passive consumption by becoming active producers. Through the act of reappropriating, recontextualizing, and mashing up, media awareness becomes less of a bombardment and more of a conversation. “It is a type of literacy and a form of expression that is increasingly defining young generations.” (*Lawrence Lessig) This language is a digital call and response culture where source material is recycled repeatedly to expand on ideas and provoke further social discourse.
The movie was created during my studies at university with forethought into the democratization of media. This form of media is important because levels the playing field of public discourse by utilizing the worlds largest digital library.
After documenting graffiti throughout the world for years I found that each culture used it in a way that exposed some of their underling social issues. In China a lot of the graffiti I saw was simply a phone number and characters on a wall translating to … higher me to take your final exams and ace them for you! Apparently it happens all the time there. In Jakarta Indonesia a city of 20,000,000 people, and fairly culturally diverse, the graffiti ranged from purely beautification to highly political. In Iran the most infamous street artists are anti nuclear proliferation. In Rome Italy unfortunately anti-Semitic and racist graffiti was a regular occurrence. These are just a few examples.
My most recent piece is another type of digital college titled Collective Voice, It is a 65 foot long photomontage of a community in Queens NY that allowed graffiti artists to rejuvenate their run down neighborhood with sprawling murals. Each artist made a section of the concrete landscape come alive with graphic art representing their individual political message. Subject matter ranging form police brutality, to government corruption, environmentalism, and anti consumerism. Those who participated literally brought there voice to the streets. I thought this particular act of reclaiming public space was worthy of recreating and bringing it to Vancouver.
Collective Voice 4” x 65” 2011- 8 x 11 paper + Photoshop + 564 photos + printer and a lot of ink!
The Piece I’m currently working on is called In Site Out of Mind. It is a new media documentary instillation made of metal, glass, electronics, and digital media. The picture below is a 2D mock up of this narrative time based piece.
If you had to summarize your ultimate dream that would realize your full potential as the artist you are in your selected form, what would that be?
My ultimate dream is to be a full time professional documentary filmmaker and contemporary artist. One medium alone will never satisfy me.
Throughout history artist have been afforded the opportunity to speak truth to power in away that others have not. We leave behind relics of social commentary that capture the essence of our world in that moment and create another view of reality than the world of academia. History needs both of these. I wish to fallow in this tradition by documenting, informing, and pushing the boundaries of social commentary and public discourse.
What 3 pieces of advice would you give to other artists?
Do not pidgin hole yourself in one medium. Exploring many helps you to understand all of them better while developing your own unique stile. Remember there are no rules in art.
Develop other lucrative skills that will allow you to support yourself out side of your art work. The term starving artist has been around forever for a reason. The art world is fickle and you can’t eat most materials used for making it.
If you do decided to invest in an art education make sure you choose a program that requires internships and courses in business. If you want to be a professional artist you will also have to be a good sales person!
I am, as you know, a big believer in self care - especially for artists! What do you do to nourish your self and soul?
I am inspired by those who use there personal talents to create change the world, comedy, journalism, dance, etc. Every day I have the routine of watching Democracy Now, the most authentic news source in North America. I begin my day this way to keep abreast with world events. I then watch the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report to keep things in perspective.
Taking time to rest is also very important for me as I can be a bit of a workaholic. Once again balance and perspective are key to maintaining focus and a sense of humor.
How would you define success as an artist and what has been a key factor in your success?
For me being a successful artist is meeting the goals you set out for yourself and your work, just like any other pursuit. My art is indented to be eye catching and pack a powerful sociopolitical punch. The success of each piece is determined by my satisfaction upon completion and its ability to speak for its self.
What’s the best thing about being and artist?
Having a license to be different.
Not worrying about standing out.
Having the freedom to express yourself.
What 's the most challenging thing about being an artist?
Finding creative ways to market your work with out selling out completely.
What do you do when your stuck or blocked?
I Look at other artist work.
Break routine.
Have a brain storming session with a friend.
Focus on helping some one out with something, what ever that may be.
Cook!
Basically just get out of my head and look to the rest of the world for inspiration.
If someone reading this blog would like to see more of your work, visit an upcoming art show, or get a hold of you, how would they do so? What recent or upcoming shows/and or gallery representation can we look out for or go and see of your work?
www.mariewustner.com (you can also find me on face book)
Marie, Thank you for taking the time to partake in this interview!
Love Meditation
May I be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit.
May I be safe and free from injury.
May I be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.
May I learn to look at myself with eyes of understanding and love.
May I be able to recognize and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.
May I learn to identify and see the sources of anger, craving, and delusion in myself.
May I know how to nourish the seeds of joy in myself an every day.
May I be able to live fresh, solid and free.
May I be free from attachment and aversion, but not be indifference.
May you be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit.
May you be safe and free from injury.
Ma you be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.
May you learn to look at yourself with eyes of understanding and love.
May you be able to recognize and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in yourself.
May you learn to identify and see the sources of anger, craving, and delusion in yourself.
May you know how to nourish the seeds of joy in yourself every day.
May you be able to live fresh, solid, and free.
Ma you be free from attachment and aversion, but not be indifferent.
May they be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit…
May we be peaceful, happy nd light in body and spirit...
Ruthie standing in front of the two paintings I completed for the show. Uncommon Lines I & II 30" x 48" Mixed Media & Acrylics on Canvas.
The wayyy cool bar in the back room. Totally reminded me of Star Trek! Serving Beverages of all types!
Heather Lidberg's art/installation piece is a must see 'in the flesh' - combining a background silouhette painting with small plastic war action figures the piece is a statement in itself. 
Ruthie standing in front of Marie Wusner's photo installation of images she captured from graffiti in Queens, NY. This is, by far, my favourite piece of the show.
Again, another glipse of Marie's installation of graffiti photographs.
Thomas Hughes beautiful wood work. The boxes are gorgeous. 
Lots of great great food we all enjoyed and still there will be more for Sat & Sunday!
This is the most ingenious art installation I've ever seen! It's a film and live performance created by Rena del Piece Gobbi and is a film of thread...You simply have to stop by and see it. She's knitted the reel and turned it into a movie. She'll be knitting with Jamie all weekend. Super creative.
A laptop computer shows the film created to date based on what they have knitted.
Later on in the evening this heavy metal band not only played but also (ugh) set off the entire building fire alarm with their performance and the "smoke". We missed the music but sure heard the fire alarm until the fire men came to turn it off!
Press ReleaseA SHOWCASE OF ART AT THE ARC
One of Vancouver’s most creative communities
invite you to join us in this multi-disciplinary
group show and open studio event.
The Uncommon shows have been providing Vancouver
with provocative group exhibitions since 2003.
It is a great way to see some truly creative art
from our local artists.The ARC has always been a destination building during the Eastside Culture Crawl and, this year, we are raising money for Studio 101 which is the which is the Eastside Culture Crawl’s elementary school art education program.
The Uncommon Thread Show fills the 12-month gap between the Crawl events and our artists are eager to show you their new work!
Day and night gallery opening times, special events and live music
performances throughout.
Sweet little kitty cat on someone's front door step. No pets allowed at The Arc. One day I will have a studio cat. I sure miss our old cats!
Same building but further back. I really liked the contrast of the metallic/rust coloured building to the yellow one on its right. So much art everywhere!
Looking through train carts to the old sugar refinery building in the background. Beautiful brick and arched windows all boarded up.
This is the area where the big tankers dock and unload their cargo. believe me, when the unloading happens you can hear it - always lots going on here with the trains coming and going. Love the colours of the crates and the glimpses of the ocean.
