A Shocking Introduction to a Unique Gallery

An "Ace Art" photo from Chantel Mierau's video

On the “Art Walk/Art Talk” evening I wrote about earlier, we went to a very unique art gallery called “Aceart”, literally ”Ace Art Inc”. The artwork advertised was by artist Chantel Mierau, showing videos of what Wilma and I immediately recognized had to do with our own origins, the Mennonites. Wow.

When we got over the shock, we began looking a little more seriously at the “video shows” running simultaneously. One had a group of women rolling out dough on a wooden floor, making bread. Another, a group of women working together to make a spider web. (Photo above)

But the most impacting for me and many of us in the group was a video of a person, completely wrapped in a sack, I mean, head, arms, feet, the whole person, encased in a gunny sack, trying to do a task, and failing miserably, yet continuing to try. The scene taking place alongside an old broken down building in the tall weeds. In the distance, traffic running back and forth on a highway. It was so sad to see the figure, stumbling, tripping, getting up, working at the task, moving towards and back, away from the scene of the highway traffic in the distance (freedom) and then back again to the task at hand. The weeds flattened into a trail by her painful multiple  trips of hope and disappointment, back and forth, towards the highway and back again. I was saddened and felt sorry for this person in such a “trapped” and “hopeless” situation. How is it that a culture can do this to a person? Unfortunately, thinking of my own past, I could identify a little too much! I wistfully and as a distraction, commented to a group member beside me, of the hope that this individual had in the end gotten counseling! It looked to me like a recipe for depression and possibly suicide!

Chantel, and I’m quoting from her bio, “is an artist whose interest in repetition and cycles (especially domestic work cycles) has led her into complimentary practices in textiles and video. She grew up in a primarily Mennonite community in rural Saskatchewan, Canada then studied at two Mennonite education institutions. She later studied at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a BFA in 2011.”

Subsequent to this visit I've done some investigation into Ace Art and I like what I see a lot. 

Key aspects of their stated purpose that interest me are: “…a commitment to emerging artists and recognizes it’s role in placing contemporary artists in a larger cultural context. …dedicated to cultural diversity in it’s programming…encourages applications from all contemporary artists and curators…”

In their objectives they include a comment about their space, “…for the public where exploration of the ideas and materials of contemporary art are facilitated through exhibition, events, critical writing and dialogue.”

There are “events”, “workshops”, and “opportunities”. There’s “critical distance essays”, “artist talks” and “books”. There’s a “project room” where artists can work. Even “wiki", a project on the web to encourage communication between artists and related subjects relating to art.

It is almost too good to be true. Here it seems, if you have an idea, do any kind of art, or have a passion, even a dream, there is an opportunity at Ace Art to get into it, explore it and express it. What more can an artist ask?

Let’s see, there is the “contact us” heading…”click”…

"Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things..." 

Psalm 98:1

 

Easter at Our House, Simeon and Charlie Take Center Stage

This is Larry and Odia's new family member, 

also teething 

like Simeon!

The Throne of Swords is Done!

One side done....

 One by one the swords covered the uneven sides of the throne. My feelings revving up with the placement of each one. Knowing that with each sword I was one more closer to the completion of the chair. 

I have heard how sometimes the anticipation of the thing is more exciting than the completion of it. Like planning everything for the vacation, and then when you get there it can be anti-climactic! 

"An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality, our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing."   Samuel Smiles 1812 - 1904

It is quite true that I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this piece. One day I will calculate the hours it actually took for me to create it. Then also, one day I will take the time to count the actual number of swords I've placed on the thing. The problem for me lay in the vast number of similar boring actions I had to do for this project, constructing and placing sword after sword after sword.

It wasn't like I didn't know what the chair looked like. It's just that initial intense anticipation that clouds the judgement. Like loading to much food onto your plate. It looks so good and your anticipation simply leads you astray. And in the end your decision rewards you with the pain of a stomach ache. 

Right now the celebration of finishing the chair is muted by the fact that there are a few crucial things that still need to happen. So as yet, though it is pleasing to say "I done it!" it still has to go through the test of fire. There are a lot of overlapping swords here, meaning that there are probably quite a few little openings and gaps among-st all those strips if clay. Yes, I do have to say, I think I'll wait until I actually open the kiln to see what happened before I get too excited. 

Below is the photo of the other side of the completed chair. 

You probably noticed that I have swords crossing on each side. No, they are not only for decoration, though that certainly works and is a good second reason for them. If you look back two blogs. you will see the gap I had to cover. Over this gap the swords do not have any backing and so this is a weak spot for them. So, to strengthen them and prevent them from breaking at that spot I placed these crossed swords over that particular vulnerable area. 

Also below the chair photo are photo's of the new poster announcing our Clifton Studio Open House and Sale coming up in May. We have timed it so you can come on over and purchase your Mother's Day gift which comes up the following weekend after the sale. I would like to invite you over to see what all our artists are doing and also then, we can have a little "art chat" while your there.

 The other side of the completed throne.

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"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. won't you first sit down and estimate the cost...?"            Luke 14:28

Art Talk/Art Walk

Tom Lovatt/Viscious Left (Wanderlie Silva) Oil on canvas

Showing at Gurevich Fine Art

April 5, 2013 openning.

Last night, Wilma and I had a one of those exquisite nights where so much came together for each of us. It was a night where we were introduced to another world. A world both of us are interested in, a world we are needing to become much more a part of if either of us intends to show/sell any of our own creative work in the future. It is the world of creative art.

The evening was planned by “The Carlton Breakfast Club,” of which Wilma is a member. These are the mover and shakers of the Winnipeg community. They meet every Friday morning for breakfast to hear a local “person” from the Winnipeg community presenting on whatever it is they are doing in the city. This could include business, the arts, medical, architecture, sport, music, whatever. These folk have therefore become very informed on all aspects of the community.

The Carlton Club arranged this evening for all members and their spouses to participate. So, I was invited!

In the summer of 2012 someone hatched an idea. The idea was to introduce Winnipeggers to some of the cities artistic movers and shakers and give them some insight into the creative process the goes into creating art of whatever kind. Participants, would have a great dinner, hear a lecture on the topic chosen for that month, and then do a walking tour of art galleries or studios in the local downtown area.

The dinner took place at the “Winnipeg Free Press News Café” located in the downtown exchange district. I had salmon with pineapple and rice! It was awesome! This was followed up by a power point lecture on the topic at hand. The topic for this  evening was on, would you believe it…”The Naked and the Nude”! No wonder the café was so full! Ha!

After the meal there was an informative lecture by a local artist giving us a very short history of nude art, then also spoke about the sexuality, power and vulnerability of the nude body in art. In addition, two local artist who specialize in this were interviewed. Questions were also taken from the audience. It was interesting to learn the “why” of painting nudes, and some of the “how” they exactly they do it. (Use of models, photos, their own bodies etc.) Then, off to the tour.

Our guide took us to four locations, one artist’s studio and three galleries. One of which was having the opening for a new show.

I will mention one of the sites visited today. Our visit to the Gurevich Fine Art Gallery. It was the opening night of their show so lots of people were there. One of the artists featured was Tom Lovatt, who’s work you see above. A whole room of sketches plus large paintings like this one, of the “extreme fighting” world. Interestingly, of the whole art gallery’s many rooms and types of art being shown, this room was packed with viewers! There was a lot of excitement about this work. Also, looking over the crowd, males were most prominent! The paintings were in the $4000 range.

I’ve always been thinking of doing a series of the biblical David grappling with the enemy on the battlefield. This certainly encouraged me in pursuing that, as it seems, according to this  experience, that the interest in the battling male is certainly there. Also, these I could sell and not break up the “story” my other pieces are there to tell. The difference probably would be that my pieces of this nature would not represent “sport” but a life and death struggle. A different sense of reality. David had to win. When his “fights” were over there were no embraces and fist touching opportunities! Victory meant it was over for someone. It was final! Food for thought.

We just loved the evening. Met some amazing people, good food, art and conversation. It was so fun.

“So God created man in his own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”    Geneses 1:27

If you are interested Google “Art Talk/Art Walk” and you will find the details for the next monthly event.

Finally, a Problem, Yipeeee!

 Throne of Swords R. Side.

Last week I was ranting about how difficult the work was on this throne of swords. Well, now that the end is in sight, where just the two side edges need to be finished up, I am relieved to report that 

I am feeling much more rejuvenated and eager to get-er done.

As you can see the back is now covered with swords. Also, as you can see the side of the chair is not totally covered with swords. This part, not covered with swords is the added "depth" I had to add to the chair to bring more strength and balance to the high back of the piece. Also, since the upper part of the "back" was bending so much further back, I needed this extra width to create balance for the whole structure. With the upper part leaning so far back knew it would be placing a lot of stress on the dry clay before it went into the kiln.

You can also see that the upper back is jutting out, and is wider than the seat area and so this gap so to speak, needed to be dealt with. Also the original swords on the side now look quite incomplete and mutilated. They now needed to be incorporated into the new dynamic of the side and edge work.

After all that "routine" work adding swords, I suddenly had issues and problems to solve again, finally a little challenge and excitement! 

I guess there are a lot of people who have exactly that problem with life! So bored their looking for trouble to get excited and involved in life again. A recipe for trouble I'd say!

Here you can see the results of another few hours of work. I have taken the liberty to bend and adjust those "metal" swords to make the transition work in a more modulated and smooth way down the side. You can see the hilts are on these new swords and the handles will be placed later. Suddenly, the chair just looks a lot better!

What if we looked at all problems this way? That they are really a gift and it is all about perspective. That each "problem" has a gift in it for us to find. A gem. That once all is said and done, things will actually be better than they were before!

This Easter, we as a family sat around the food laden table, where each family member updated us on their lives. Conclusion, we all agreed life was just fantastic. Everyone was in a good place. 

Now, for those of you knowing our story and experience, you might be wondering, how is that possible? We also asked that question, how is this possible? We realized a lot of folk would never understand the conversation we were just having! 

If this can be the result of problems, shouldn't we be waiting with impatience, knowing that there will be something in it that we can learn, grow from, grow in character and strength plus be reworded for taking it on with the right attitude. 

We should then maybe even be jealous of other's peoples problems!  We should actually be wriggling with excitement, like a puppy for food, looking forward to our next problem and the huge beneficial gem we will find in it that's just for us!

"...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."    James 1:2-4

The Question is WHY, WHY, WHY?

Throne of Swords

The back is done!

 

I'm back! As you can see, the project I most love to dislike is progressing and I've finally finished the back of the throne. Now, only the two side-edges of the chair are left to complete!

 

I have a question. This has begun to niggle at me and it is so weird. Why do I so dislike this chair? Why is it that, of all the art projects I've ever done, do I feel the need to do this one, despite the fact that it has become such an albatross around my neck? Why have I not quit? If I dislike it so much I should, you would think, have stopped doing it a long time ago. I have no-one telling me what to make and what not to make, right? (Well, sometimes my spouse gets her opinions in there about that!) But I digress. So, why have I held on, why have I not abandoned it? Why have I dragged myself back to the studio again and again to numbingly continue rolling out sword after sword and applying it to the frame of this never-ending project of a chair?

 

The answer to this question I'm realizing is not simple. Not that I'm that complicated I'm sure. (As many of you already know!) But I cannot just say for example, "I grew up with the idea that once you begin something you have to complete it!" That, of course is true, and every time I even thought of quitting, my guilt kicks in and all the inside voices begin blaring things like, "How would you explain that?" or "What would everyone think?" etc. But that would be, in this case only, I think, a contributing answer, certainly not the whole answer.

 

When I look into my heart, I think, at least today, that a whole lot larger part of the answer is exactly in the discomfort I have about the piece. I don't like it just because I'm sick and tired of making another sword. No, I really don't like it because I hate the idea of what the piece means.

 

My best lesson I've learned in my life is the fact that "un-forgiveness" is death to me and to anyone who lives that lifestyle. The person who has a throne of swords and knives as the centre of their life, figuratively speaking, is an un-forgiving, bitter person. Getting even, revenge, tit-for-tat, an eye for an eye, is their rule of life. Usually they are not even aware of it. Wishing angrily that the guy who just cut them off with his big 4X4 truck will hit a tree in the next 5 seconds, is that kind of a person.

 

Ouch, that's way to convicting...let's move on.

 

Bottom line, I am persuaded in my heart, that as uncomfortable as this is for me, I need to make this point. Despite the injustice I've experienced, I have made a conscious choice "to live", and forgiveness is that most amazing gift that gives me that life and of course, to anyone else who embraces it. 

 

By the way, is that not what Easter is all about? The gift of forgiveness (life) made available for all who wish it?

 

Happy Easter everyone.

 

"But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed [it], "Why have you made me like this?"

Romans 9:20

 

 

 

 

 



A New Artist in The House!

Creation and the Story of Joseph

Each 10" X 10" on canvas, acrylic paint & pages of scripture embedded.

"If  you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." 
Vincent Van Gohh

I am coming to you today with this question, What makes art art?

I have a reason for this question for something has happened in our household. Get ready, are you sitting down? I have something very special to share. My wife Wilma is painting! You did read right, my wife is painting! I know...is that not amazing and fantastic? 

By her own admission she's always lamented her lack of "talent" when it came to creating anything even close to "art". She married me because, I was an artist! (You have no idea how I worked that angle!)  She has two children who are artistic! She's recruited family members to decorate her living room with "art". 

Suddenly, I think she just got fed up with being the only one not doing "art" in our family. She had an idea. 

Here's what happened. Over the years as our parents have all now passed away, there is an abundance of Bible's we have collected in our basement storage area. Bible's from our parents, from relatives, from our own past lives. As these have piled up we have constantly been asking ourselves, what do you do with old Bibles? That is the question!

A  Portion of the Gospel of John

4" X 4" on board, scripture embedded

Because of her doubt about being an artist and spending money on, (in her mind,) this foolish idea she had, she began by going to the dollar store buying small canvases and to Home Depot for quarts of paint. She managed to sneak all of this into the basement and began working on her secret plan. 

Then came the most difficult part. She had to begin with one of these historical family keepsakes, one of our PARENTS BIBLES. She very carefully chose one and with great reverence and trembling, "gingerly" and with great care, "TORE OUT" the pages of a specially chosen passage, like for example, her father's favourite Psalm....Handling it all like TNT explosives, she "painted" these onto the canvas. She used the paint both as glue to hold the pages on the canvas and as the colour of the work. The pages, flat or crumpled, were embedded into the work itself, often creating interesting texture for the work.

After that initial event, the dam has burst and she's been going crazy, with much doubt and anxiety of course, creating more scripture embedded paintings, covering our basement walls.

Now of course, Wilma doubts that this is art! I on the other hand know the deep history of this story and of her heart. You probably know our story and she has, as a mother gone through hell and back with the murder of her daughter. We've had the pre-lim and the trial. Coming up this April 16 & 17 is the appeal. How is it that she could come out of that with the sweet attitude she has? I believe her  "art" is a loud shout to whoever will listen, as to the answer to that question. Again a beautiful metaphor of the "word" making a difference when it is "embedded" in ones life, as it is in hers.

Is it art? Here's my take, if the artists work was able to move you, you, it's art. 

When I go into the basement and see these pieces on the walls "I" am moved. I has changed how the basement feels. They represent, not only the beautiful history and impact of this "word" in the world around us, but more than anything how it has been the rock for our journey and experience in this world. I love this art.

The Whole New Testament on Canvas!

24" X 30" on canvas, acrylic paint & pages of the New Testament embedded.

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
Aristotle

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Psalm 119:11