Make Art Not War
Last summer, I had the opportunity to spend a few days with Flora Bowley in Portland, Oregon.
Flora is a painter, pioneer, and author of top-selling art books, Brave Intuitive Painting, and Creative Revolution.
Flora believes that creativity has the power to awaken, empower, heal and transform; and after spending a few days participating in her Creative Re-Boot workshop, I wholeheartedly agree.
Flora’s workshop took me from a place of being nervous about even picking up a paintbrush to feeling confident and free and inspired to create more.
Since the workshop, I have turned my garage into a make-shift studio, and have been experimenting with graffiti with my kids, as well as lots of intuitive painting with whomever wishes to come play with me.
As the CEO of a public art gallery in Whitby, I am blessed to be surrounded by an incredibly vibrant community of artist and art lovers.
When I arrived at the gallery three and a half years ago, I encouraged our team to take advantage of the incredible art classes and workshops that we host at the gallery.
A few weeks ago, a few staff and SG volunteers participated in a special print-making workshop led by exhibiting artist Christian Chapman.
Everyone created really cool pieces. I was surprised and delighted when friends even requested prints of my creation.
This Thursday, we are doing a pop-up t-shirt making session in the SG underground studios to coincide with the SG WAVE SUMMER MUSIC SERIES evening.
For $20 you can make your own t-shirt. Hit me up at kerri.king@stationgallery.ca if you would like to join us. You can bring your own t-shirt or we have some on-hand here at the Gallery for $10.
Last, I’d like to share this Milton Glaser essay, which was recently posted by @jacquiesevers.
I love this excerpt:
“Thought changes our life and our behaviour. I also believe that drawing works in the same way.
I am a great advocate of drawing, not in order to become an illustrator, but because I believe drawing changes the brain in the same way as the search to create the right note changes the brain of a violinist. Drawing makes you attentive.
It makes you pay attention to what you are looking at, which is not easy.”
Here is a link to the full essay:
https://www.miltonglaser.com/files/Essays-10things-8400.pdf
If you would like to explore art-making, check out what we have happening at Station Gallery.