A little note during summer
Hi friend,
It's been a minute! Actually, almost a year, since I last wrote. In the meantime, I completed my MFA without really doing any real public sharing of the process or the result – oops. It was a busy final school year. I co-curated a group show in October, then went to New York on trip, did a residency/take-over of a gallery in a train station with the MFAs, exhibited my thesis show at the end of February, moved houses rather abruptly, went on a whirlwind trip to Japan, graduated in May and taught a small course. And now, it's somehow already August! This is a little catch-up note.
I started the process of packing up my studio last week. It's bittersweet. Graduation kind of does that, makes it feel like you're being tossed out and removed from all the great people and resources that the school offered. And as I told a friend earlier tonight, I can't help but feel I should've made better use of the whole experience – to which she responded, everybody probably feels that way, including her. I have to remind myself that it's not like I've lost everything, that really it's the relationships I've built while I've been there that are the really valuable, even precious, things that came from the experience. And with graduating, the NSCAD-defined 'bubble' of interior activity that comes from the school, pops! I'm looking to my friends Charlit and Laura, who both make time to give their own time to communities and make a point of inviting people, and feeling inspired. Time to really get out there, and start meeting people and making things happen.
Some things that have already been happening:
• My thesis, Net Works, was made as a website for my show, but I've been slowly working to edit it and turn it into a printed book, and I'm enjoying the design process quite a bit.
• I've continued working with Laura on our collaborative project, Critique as Gift (we also have a website now!). We've written an article on it that will hopefully come out in Canadian Art Teacher this fall.
• I've been busy trying to apply to opportunities: calls for submissions, exhibitions, residencies, part-time and full-time jobs. If you know of any that you think might be up my alley, let me know! And if you have any resources on finding/applying, let me know. It's not exactly the greatest time to be looking for a job, but I'm still feeling pretty good, and trying to focus on being active and make things happen.
• I've also been working with some fellow artists, designing materials, prototypes, brainstorming on projects, having conversations – and really enjoying it. You know how difficult it can be to identify what kinds of skills and strengths you bring to the table, when you feel imposter syndrome next to bright people? It's awesome when somebody else can see them and actually asks if you'd lend them to their cause – of course I want to help you, you brilliant person! It's got me thinking about what new/redefined skills I can offer through my freelance. I definitely took a break from doing my own studio work over the spring, but I think working on other people's projects has been motivating for my own practise, and I'm gradually getting back into making some new work.
Some summer shots
Hope you've been enjoying your summer, wherever you are! 🌱🌞
-Katherine