It 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. I am growing to accept that 2025 is going to be a slower burn digital communication-wise than the two years following. Right now, much of my time has been focussed on developing co-creation workshop opportunities throughout Maple Ridge. I have been in discussion with a few very active community partners who are going to help realize these plans and I look forward to sharing those announcements as they unfold. I am also keen to share the resulting portraiture from all these connections. I am starting to group my portraits by community circles and it is absolutely fascinating to discover the overlap and connections shared between spaces and people. In the back of my mind, I am deeply considering how to relate these mind maps of community visually. It is an exciting design problem to face.
Between the residency and my role at The ACT, life was very busy in February. I am quite excited that we are loaded up and diving into dance season. Between my role as Artistic Administrator and Event Services Supervisor, I am finding my weeks pretty active at The ACT. In fact, loading up for dance season inspired this month’s colour illustration. Watching community convene at The ACT has had me inspired and excited to illustrate other goings on in the community in places like the leisure centre, the Albion community centre, and the library. I am very proud of the collection of coloured community illustrations so far as they are taking me out of my usual black and white portraiture comfort zone. It has been rewarding to see my relationship with colour and texture develop since September.
Now deep into March, I am eyes open, ears out for the next opportunity for a coloured community illustration. I have big plans for the collection of colourized work from 2025, but that is a surprise for next year. In the meantime, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing creative space with me. As always, feel encouraged to reach out if you know someone in Maple Ridge deserving of a little extra recognition. I would love to practice some collaborative gratitude with you!
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.