Learning How to Chant, Acrylic on Canvas, 45 X 52cm, 2010
Learning How to Meditate, Acrylic on Canvas, 45 X 52cm, 2010
So I may not have the most fabulous and exciting life exactly, but I do feel as though I am putting this year to good use in a professional sense. I hoped, but I never imagined that I would have landed 2 gallery shows and one festival exhibition by 2/3 of the way through my year here. I feel really proud and happy that I am proving myself as a professional artist right now. Of course, this is still a group exhibition and I am not doing nearly enough work or getting enough exposure to really call myself a professional, but the point is that I AM working and I AM getting into exhibitions. Period. And more important or most important is that I am getting international exhibitions on my artist CV. This is the kind of experience I need to set me apart in the job market back in Canada and also to boost my confidence as an artist and a scholar.
I have to admit that I have been having some doubts of myself as an artist lately. I am really not prolific in any sense of the world. Is it a question of habit ?( I am not in the habit of making art for myself, or not for school or some greater purpose). Or is it a question of it just not being my passion and something I want to really work at? These last paintings that I've done have met with a lot of positive feedback from my friends and family but also from school mates who have voiced that they think this is a step forward for me... but they certainly didn't come easily. I guess it's not the style of paiting that I identify myself with. But if we're not challenging ourselves with difficult work are we able to grow as artists? Have I been playing it safe for the past years and just doing something that comes easily to me rather than pushing myself to grow as a painter and an artist? These are difficult questions, but I guess now is the time to answer them. Maybe it's time to go nutz and do everything I was not doing technically before to switch things up and force myself to find another direction with my artwork.
Tomorrow I am going to Jay Gallery to set up my work after school. I have really pulled everthing together and this is the last thing that i have to do before the work is finished. I spent all day Saturday searching for the perfect Buddhist prayer beads and mok-tok (chanting instrument) in Insadong. I went to the Jay Gallery first to reserve some materials for the show and pick up the exhibition catalogues. then I asked Jay were I could find white gloves and he dicided to help me by taking me to the shop himself... helpful man! He then showed me this fabulous street that runs parallel to the main tourist/ Gallery street in Insa-dong except that this street is full of Budhist shops! It is also home to Jogyesa Temple (the base of Korean Zen Buddhism... kind of like their White house. lol!) At the end of the day i left with my beads, my mok-tok, a new insense burner, a book on Korean Zen temple history, white gloves, the show catalogues and a sense of having accomplished a LOT.
Sunday I spent the entire day finishing my paintings (between sleeping in and several extended breaks.) And now, I have just finished varnishing, painting my edges and getting everything ready and packed up to take to the Gallery tomorrow after work. yee haw!
On an unrelated note, I have been having many words with my school about their utter incompetence with the whole apartment situation. To be honest, it would be nice to move, but I'm not sure how much longer I can live with the constant unbalancing instability of never knowing when or if you are going to be moving.... It has really thrown me for a loop the past coupple of months and not in a good way. I finally demanded a conference with my school and was like look, I don't think this is going to happen. So in the best interest of everyone involved, let's just freeking throw in the towel, call it a day and you can hire me professional mold cleaners instead. I can't say I'm thrilled, but at least the warmer weather is coming and I can always stay out walking around at night or crash at peoples houses a bit easier.... eugh! I have to start working harder to be social or I am going to be without parties and peoples this summer. For now though, I am feeling somewhat optimistic..... maybe it's the varnish fumes?... haha
Sunday I spent the entire day finishing my paintings (between sleeping in and several extended breaks.) And now, I have just finished varnishing, painting my edges and getting everything ready and packed up to take to the Gallery tomorrow after work. yee haw!
On an unrelated note, I have been having many words with my school about their utter incompetence with the whole apartment situation. To be honest, it would be nice to move, but I'm not sure how much longer I can live with the constant unbalancing instability of never knowing when or if you are going to be moving.... It has really thrown me for a loop the past coupple of months and not in a good way. I finally demanded a conference with my school and was like look, I don't think this is going to happen. So in the best interest of everyone involved, let's just freeking throw in the towel, call it a day and you can hire me professional mold cleaners instead. I can't say I'm thrilled, but at least the warmer weather is coming and I can always stay out walking around at night or crash at peoples houses a bit easier.... eugh! I have to start working harder to be social or I am going to be without parties and peoples this summer. For now though, I am feeling somewhat optimistic..... maybe it's the varnish fumes?... haha
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