I 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:
Faune and I are getting married! To be specific, we are eloping (I think in order to elope, it is a kept secret until after the fact… am I doing it right?). We have been talking about this special day for over a year and it feels surreal for it to be right around the corner (at the end of the month). We have it all planned in the way that feels right for us. It has been an absolute pleasure to read Allison Raskin’s “I Do (I Think)” together as we plan this next big life step. It has led us to some very important conversations on expectations, needs, and has even challenged a few biases and misconceptions I didn’t realize I was carrying! I highly recommend the read. Faune and I have both looked to challenge the foundation of the institution of marriage in the forms of status, privilege, and gender roles. We are mindfully establishing a bond in which the materiality and size of a wedding ceremony holds no emphasis, leaving space for the love to shine on its own. I am so excited for that special day to come.
I am working with a new collaborator: The HUB! The Maple Ridge Community Resource HUB is located not too far from where I live. They provide showers, clothing, food, and other resources for local unhoused folks. Since September, I have had a few really difficult situations arise at the residency with the local unhoused population. On move in day, the basement windows were punched in with blood and broken glass all over. The house had been vacant before I moved in and there had and have been many folks using the outdoor parking garage as a shelter and a place to charge phones. I have moved forward with as much compassion and understanding as possible—often connecting over a cup of coffee as I explain why it is not a safe space to use: it is covered, out of sight, and if a narcan kit is needed, no one will be able to see. These conversations generally went well and I even made a few friends… until last month when I was assaulted. You might recall me mentioning in the November blog post that I had a scary call with poison control. That is because when I went to ask a man not to use drugs in my parking garage one morning, he turned around and blew lungs full of methamphetamine (determined by poison control) in my face before biking off. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty; it felt like if I exerted too much energy my heart would undoubtedly explode. It was a stressful morning to say the least, but it was the catalyst which lead me to determining a solution for my safety and an understanding that I need a safer context in which to establish these relationships with the folks in my community. Neither of us are going anywhere, so we are going to have to figure out how to move forward either symbiotically or separate… and I didn’t and still don’t think ignoring each other is the answer. Soon I was connected with the local Community Safety Officer team who later brought me to The HUB once I expressed a desire to share my portraiture with the local unhoused population.
The first few weeks went well with a slow trickle of folks connecting over coffee. The third week in provided quite the surprise though. After spending some time with a few familiar faces the man who blew smoke in my face entered the tent. He immediately went to run, but I called out for him to slow down and just have a talk with me. He was hesitant but did so and I asked him why he did what he did. He expressed that he thought I had called the police and he wanted to make a quick escape. As we continued, other folks started to overhear and join the conversation. Soon people were ganged up against him and critiquing his choices stating that “if that was trank, I might not be standing straight, and if it was fentanyl, I might not be standing at all.” He immediately broke out into tears and I felt compelled to step in and let him know that I forgave him and did not press charges with the police. We hugged it out and it ended up turning into a very compelling conversation about how we can all show up for each other and live in harmony. Soon we were talking about mural plans for the HUB and not only featuring those who are using the space, but those who have been there in the past and have been lost to fentanyl and other complications. It took a really scary moment for community to truly happen amongst all of us and I still cannot believe that urge in me to run after this man after he attempted to flee the second time. Am I ever glad I followed my gut though. I am truly looking forward to sharing HUB updates as they develop.The studio is nearly ready! I have been hard at work setting up my artist studio for the new year. In 2025, not only will the space be hosting live music through Side Door, but I am also participating in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Art Studio Tour. I am very excited to be joining so many of the artists I have worked with at The ACT to provide this special community experience. I will be joined by my friends, fellow artist in residence, Colleen Brown, as well as my Arts Administrator partner in crime, Janet Comer. I am doing all I can to make the space cute and welcoming and ready for all the hosting to come this year. I hope you make it to the studio visit on the art tour! I am planning to have some fun prints, tote bags, and other goodies available with some of the colourized community pieces I have shared over the residency. I will also be taking custom portrait commissions that weekend so be sure to stop by if that interests you!
And so here we are in 2025! Big things are on the horizon and all the plans, ideas, and dreams of 2024 are soon going to come to fruition! Thanks for joining me on the journey so far. I wish you the happiest and healthiest year!
Special thanks to Cassy Midkiff for the lovely reference photo I used to create this month’s community illustration at Winterfest! I am sure you will be seeing much more of her name soon with a portrait to come… and maybe even a collaboration?!
This illustration and accompanying blog post were created with love and gratitude on the unceeded territories of the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation.