RV Found

Alright, it’s true…I google my name from time to time. Occasionally, on a day like today, I happen to discover  little things. Two things, exactly. One was a photo of my work in a Toronto Arts Magazine from way back in August, and the other was this article about me and my tenure here at the Ranger Station in Harrison Hot Springs. Written by Karissa Gall back in March for RV West Magazine, it was interesting to read for the first time my point of view, having just come out of the long, chilly, grey winter months.

http://karissagall.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/harrison-hot-springs-inspires-creativity-in-artists-and-photographers/

‘Exploring Totem’

http://siobhanhumstonart.com/1-exploring-totem/

I’ve just added a few images of new work on my http://www.siobhanhumstonart.com website and will be updating as soon as I finish and document pieces for the upcoming exhibition.

From the Minds of Three

Last week I had the pleasure of a visit from three friends and fellow artists. We shared lunch, a studio visit, a walk then a stop for snacks in my favourite local pub. The enjoyable afternoon corresponded nicely with winter breaking into spring, the sun peeking out more frequently and my own need to share the work I’ve been focusing on in the studio for the last many months. Not only is it beneficial to be able to have feedback, social contact and good juicy discussions, I am knowing now without a trace of doubt, that it is integral for my (our) emotional and physical welfare. All three artists posted about the visit to my Ranger Station studio on their blogs. And how fun is this to experience an afternoon in time from three unique perspectives. Romanticizing the life of a single woman, loving the use of every single inch of space, observing the work and its changes over time. So valuable, so valued.

Here are links to their blog postings. Explore & enjoy…

Rachael Ashe    Paper works & Photography

http://rachaelashe.com/2013/04/17/a-studio-visit-with-siobhan-humston/

Valerie Arntzen   Assemblage & Photography

http://valeriesarttalk.blogspot.ca/2013/04/you-tube-and-harrison-hot-springs.html

Mary Anne Tateishi    Mixed Media Painting

http://www.matateishi.blogspot.ca/2013/04/this-is-your-brain-on-studio.html

And a photo of my own, from yesterday.

What Winter Was

‘in progresser’ [more in progress]

I think, therefore I get distracted. I think, therefore I feel. I think, therefore I create. I think, therefore I get down. I think, therefore I get back up. I think, therefore I get distracted. I think, therefore it is all good…

These last few months out here in frontier land have been an interesting time for me. Along side many other benefits, being Artist in Residence at the Ranger Station has meant becoming a vessel for ones own run on thought processes. Here, the immediate distractions are minimal: walking out in nature and discovering new places to walk in nature. Getting groceries. Occasionally eating out, which offers minimal but valuable human interaction. And driving my lonely ass to the city for appointments, meetings and the essential social niceties. Whatever this is hit me unsuspected, creeping up on me during the long month of December. Is it loneliness or a long, grey winter? What is that and does it even make sense? Sure it does. I am here to tell you that all of it does so. Vitamin D in pocket, words in mouth, pencil in hand. It does. Somehow, it ties in with my work these days about displacement in modern urban society from nature, our impact on it. Displacement, in other words, from ourselves, no matter where we are.

Everyday, I keep busy. I am taking and formatting thousands of photographs monthly. I watch movies, read books, and spend time in the studio and constantly jot down ideas. Ideas for drawings, paintings, sculptures, installations, proposals, fabric works, book works, songs, recordings, videos, clothing and on and on and onward. While I  spend all of my time here alone and being creative, I re-realized that there needs to be significant down time or relief for both sides of my brain. I joined the community centre to swim and work out for the twin reasons of exercising the body and freeing up the mind from its over activity. Long story (always).

And, in the studio, this is what is developing…

Studio table with work in progress

Graphite, graphite paint, watercolour on watercolour paper (58″ x 54″)

Work table with wood panels

Wood panel -graphite, gesso, watercolour- in progress

Back to acrylic (not sure I like it anymore) on wood panel. 48″ x 48″

Building something from something else…(see above)

Decision making!

It’s time to get some new business cards printed! I love doing the graphics but making the decisions, not so much. My days are filled with hundreds of decisions about colour, content, creativity, what to do, where and when, so I thought I’d do the fun thing and ask for your help with this one. I’m going to post some options that I’ve put together, and if you you’d like to take the time to comment, either on here or Facebook, your efforts will be much appreciated. So much so that I may be inclined to give you a massive burst of virtual love, if you can handle it! If I get enough feedback, I do a draw for a drawing to pass along to one of you helpful lovelies! Tell me which one you like, or none, and why, if you know…the layout, the colour or lack of it, the image etc. Standard size 3″ x 2.5″.

Thank you so much in advance! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life segmented in video

Here’s  a link to a little video made by the kind folks with the Kent Harrison Arts Council. Shot back in November, sixteen year old Emma Schram posed the questions, shot and edited this. I think she did a great job! The only thing missing is some acknowledgement about how unique this Artist in Residence program is, and how it is fueled entirely by volunteers. And my appreciation at having landed in such an amazing environment for a whole year! So, thank you everyone. I am so proud to call Ranger Station Art Gallery home…at least for another seven months!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8YUO8-pN9Y