I am 3 days and $900 away from paying my tuition + rent to return to France. Of the total almost $7000 I thought I’d have to pay, having $900 left feels like something akin to a miracle. Between scholarships, sponsorships and generous donations, I am thisclose to officially being able to start my journey. [...]
This painting changed my life. I was 16 when I saw it for the first time, in Sister Wendy’s 1000 Masterpieces. (Amaaazing book.) I saw it, and every part of my heart and soul yearned towards it and whispered, “I want to do that.” Last year, I spent 6 months learning how to do that. [...]
Everyone talks a lot about the gift economy – you’ve gotta give, give, give to your clients and audience. It’s about appreciating and respecting that they’re paying attention, listening and giving you their time. I don’t doubt this wisdom in the slightest. I agree that it’s key. Where I get stuck is how I, as [...]
I learned a valuable lesson this week, the kind of lesson you can only learn the hard way. Yesterday, I spoke about my experience with a gallery owner who was unhappy with the work I brought her because it wasn’t summery enough. Unfortunately, she couldn’t articulate that, and instead dismissed all of my work as [...]
Over 18 months ago, I took 6 paintings in to my gallerist. She sent 4 of them back with them, declaring them unfit to be seen, and most definitely unfit to be sold. I was devastated. I was proud of the work, and couldn’t understand why she’d been so upset. She’d hated them. In a [...]
Today while painting, Jesse got out the camera and shot some photos of me working. I thought I’d share them with you! The place where the magic happens! (My cozy little creative cave.) Paint, brushes, a glass of water. I’m ready to go. Apparently, I’m thinking really hard. Thinking even harder now… [...]
I have a plan! A big, exciting, terrifying, mind-boggling plan. It’s my 2 year plan, in fact. I’m going back to France. But this time, I’m selling all my furniture, giving up my apartment and bringing my boyfriend with me. For the next 2 years, we’ll be splitting our time between Canada and France, while [...]
I’ve restarted this post about a billion times. How do you re-introduce yourself to the world? How do you explain to people how much your life has changed while you were away? I feel rusty and slightly awkward, with so many things to say and not quite the right words to say them. None of [...]
So it’s been an embarrassingly long time since I’ve written here. I got caught up in preparations to move to France and then once I got here…well, it’s France. I suppose you could say I started functioning on French time. But I did want to give you a quick taste of the latest painting I [...]
I finally heard from Studio Escalier! I got into the autumn program! It’s official – almost 6 whole months in France. I feel like this highly politically incorrect and cliched picture accurately describes how I feel (and also, what I’m going to eat.) I’m actually just really relieved. I was far more nervous this time [...]
