Carefully chosen to invite an introduction to relationship building and community, this selection of portraits celebrates a group of folks who have had an incredible impact on the artist—providing guidance, stability, and reliable direction. As you spend time with these portraits, consider the relationships in your own life; what community looks like for you; what it could look like for you. Feel encouraged to start building that community by reaching out to the friends and family these portraits remind you of. Community begins with conversation.
Read MoreA year in the Raymond House has already flown by! This artist residency has opened so many doors to beautiful relationships, memories, and collaborations. I have carefully organized a document outlining everything that has happened this year and it sure has me feeling proud of how far the project has come while one-third into the residency. Please read over the document below or download a copy to experience it full-screen!
Read MoreThere was a time when I thought I was good at spreadsheets… and then I met Erin Mulcahy. Erin was the Arts Learning Programs Manager at The ACT for my first 6 months as Artistic Administrator and it was an invaluable time of learning for me. She has a way of holding space for others that I wish was a more normalized thing in upper-management for everyone on all teams everywhere…
Read MoreWhat a fast-paced spring this has been so far! April and May have blurred into one larger (though short-feeling) mega-month. Most of April had me busy getting everything ready and organized for Art Studio Tour. It was an exciting time. From designing the poster for the first Drawing Thanks Presents concert (shoutout to the incredible Buckman Coe) to crafting colouring sheets for visiting kids (posting online soon so you can print at home), and even crafting free portrait postcards for folks to share in the community—it was a time of abundant designing and making.
Read MoreSeven months ago, with “an open heart and an open mind” as today’s featured creative would put it, I began an exciting new role as Associate Artistic Administrator at The ACT. I joined the team mid-exhibition during the incredibly impactful and thought-provoking Picturing Ourselves. As a portrait artist, myself, I took this portraiture exhibition as a sign from a greater power that I am in the right place at the right time…
Read MoreMarch is behind us and so is much more organizing and planning for some BIG, exciting announcements I have in store. First off, in one month, on Mother’s Day Weekend (May 10th/May 11th) I will be participating in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Art Studio Tour. Since it lands on Mother’s Day, I will be offering a special deal of $50/portrait for portraits of mothers as gifts for the special day.
Read MoreIt is really incredible how administrative the life of a working artist truly is. For every hour I produce artwork, there are usually two to three hours where I am planning, organizing, researching, and reaching out to folks I draw. After all, it is important that those featured understand the context and purpose to their being celebrated. If I were to subscribe to a Taylor Swift “era-esque” way of describing my creative career, I would definitely define this as my “collaboration era” above all others…
Read More2025 is here and did it ever bring a fast-paced January! So much happened this month both in the residency and my personal life…
Read MoreAs I gear up for a very exciting 2025 with the Maple Ridge Artist Residency, I wanted to share seven of the most important lessons I have learned through this practice, project, and lifestyle and encourage others to be brave, get creative and embrace themselves fully.
Read MoreI am coming to notice a prevailing theme to these monthly blog posts as once again I have gone another one without a substantial amount of portrait sharing online. It has been an incredibly busy month and though the portrait gifts have been flowing and I have been having a wonderful time connecting with the Maple Ridge community, I find myself continually having to prioritize the individual connections over the online audience connection. My gut tells me that is the most important aspect of Drawing Thanks not to compromise on. The posts will come as time presents itself. For now, here are a few of the things that have been keeping me busy this month
Read MoreWell… that didn’t go as expected! November was a very intense month. I had two trips to the hospital, myself, as well as a call to poison control—that poison control story is one for another time with further context (was it ever scary)…
Read MoreI couldn’t get started with Maple Ridge community storytelling without highlighting the incredible human who got me back into building local community here again in the past year…
Read MoreI can’t help but wonder if I am alone in the feeling that this October was gone in the blink of an eye. I could have savoured another week or two in the rainy, spooky season. It has been another month filled with emails, planning, organizing, and documenting and I have been loving every minute of it…
Read MoreThe first month of this residency has flown by. It has taken much effort and many hands, but the house is truly beginning to feel like a home.I have big plans for the studio space. Starting in January of 2025, I will be hosting live musical performances through Side Door.
Read MoreToday, I am celebrating a very incredible human being: my mother, Joy Neff. She is a resilient role model who handles adversity in a way that I can only wish and attempt to emulate. She was a pillar of security in my childhood when health scares, seizures, and doctor’s appointments were plentiful for my sister, Jenna. Somehow, my mum always found the strength to be the comfort and security for a whole family. What makes that doubly impressive is the way she would work night shifts at the hospital to provide for us at the same time. Imagine spending that much time and energy to make institutional spaces feel safe and comforting, not only for your family, but for strangers on the regular...
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