A morning spent in the Loafing Shed Glass Studio

This morning I had the pleasure of being a guest in the Loafing Shed Glass Studio — watching Robert Gary Parkes create some amazing sculptures out of glass. I have to admit that this process is completely mesmerizing: I could have stayed there all day (no joke).

Upon arriving at the The Loafing Shed Glass Studio, my eyes were met by glass blown objects that adorn the property gates,  as well as some glass little hippos and other animals hiding out in the garden. I love the laid back feel of the property — an obvious oasis for this artist. As you walk past the house and the chicken coop you come to the shed. It may not like much from the outside, but inside it's every artist's dream of what a studio workshop could be.

To the right is a gallery room filled with lights and glass blown ornaments, vases, etc. Each one seems to be more breathtaking than the other. I was especially drawn to the sea-foam coloured fish bowls that had hints of coral and other colours that reminded me of the beach. The far wall is a display of amazing concoctions of fresh jams that Robert's wife, Jeanette cans herself. I will have to go back and buy some Carrot Cake Jam - I hear it tastes amazing on toast with cream cheese... I can just imagine.

The first room that you step into is the welcome room where more glass blown objects are displayed as well as a table full of home baked cupcakes and brownies. There is also a table full of refreshments along one wall: tea, coffee and punch. There is no reason to feel unwelcome in this studio space! After gathering up all the refreshments and baking that one can gather, the next room is the real studio space. For this weekend's customer appreciation event — three rows of chairs were set up for us to watch Master Glossblower, Robert Parkes at work (along with his apprentice).

Looking around at the space, I can see why Parkes loves to spend his time in the Studio Hot Shop. The room feels warm (from the heat of the furnaces) and tropical - with plants basking in the sunlight streaming in from the skylights above. Parkes is entertaining to watch. Not only is he amazingly talented — but he also knows how to keep his audience engaged: explaining steps along the way, and throwing in humorous antidotes as well!

I was especially interested in Parkes creation of paperweights that look as though they were plucked from the bottom of the ocean floor. He said he happened upon this by accident, but has been perfecting it ever since. It's really amazing how these glass balls seem to contain life within them: complete with coral and anemones. I was fortunate enough to see Parkes create one of these this morning. I think we share a fascination of the ocean. Like Parkes, I love to spend time at the Vancouver Aquarium just taking in all the colour and absorbing inspiration for future work.

If you have time this weekend, I would recommend going to tomorrow's open house from 10am to 3pm. If not, be sure to check out their website: www.robertgaryparkes.ca

The Art Vibe in New Zealand...

It's good to be home! But it does take some adjusting after spending two months in summer and then coming back to rainy, wintery, Vancouver :) Not to mention the jet-lag after 24 hours of travel time.

I've had the amazing opportunity to work abroad in New Zealand and the South Pacific for the last two months. I've enjoyed taking in all the sights, all the cafes (of course - I'm a coffee addict), as well as all of the artwork. There's something about coastal towns/cities that I just feel like I have an infinity for. I love the artwork that they are producing and the entire "feel" of the place.

Here's a few of the brochures/pictures that I've picked up along my journey. I'm looking forward to incorporating some of those bright coastal colours into more of my artwork (and maybe taking some inspiration from the surf/coastal lifestyle of New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific Islands).

Why create at all?

If someone came up to you on the street today and asked you why you do what you do for a living — what would your response be?
I've had a few clients ask me how I ever got into art in the first place, since it seems to be an unlikely career pursuit. Was it to get attention? A way to excel where others were not so gifted? Well that's a hard question to answer because it's been a while since I thought like a five year old *wink." I do however remember being in awe of my cousin who could draw Disney princesses and I vowed that if I worked hard enough on my drawing skills, one day I could be as good as she was. I suppose that was the start of honing in on my craft. Since then it's been a bit more of a complicated path to follow. Do I paint for myself? Or do I paint for my audience?

I think it becomes apparent when an artist starts to paint exclusively for the audience — and in turn, for the end profit; something in the artwork becomes lost. Call it soul or artistic passion, but I can always tell when my heart isn't in a piece. Which is why I was so delighted to get a commission job for a painting that involved water! (pictures to be posted on my facebook page after Christmas).

So the question has become — how can I successfully paint for myself and for my audience? I'm still learning how to marry the two. Perhaps the answer lies in getting a Rep? More on that later.

Thinking small... the key to happiness

I'm not sure how I got this lucky in life. When I left Australia 4.5 years ago—I didn't think I'd be back. Certainly I didn't want to be presumptuous and assume that I would.  People told me it was a once in a lifetime opportunity—and it sure felt like it. When I find myself in such beautiful locations (I never dreamed I could see on a artist budget), all I want to do is drink it all in: the atmosphere, the culture, the art - and especially the BEACH! (Well you knew that was coming, I wouldn't be honest if I left that important part out :) So it's humbling to be sitting here thinking that I'll have the opportunity to go back in a month.
It's easy for people on the outside to look in on my life and think that I am actually lacking. Sure there are school loans looming, and there isn't much material wealth in my name. But I do feel truly happy — which in this day & age is hard to find; or rather, society seems to do its best to convince us that we're not happy... cause we need the latest gadget, or we need more money, or we need more social network friends or whatever. A wise cousin once said that in order to be happy: think small. Start seeing the world like a child. Be amazed by the small things: how a bumblebee can fly despite its size, how the sun rises every morning... just the little things in life. True wisdom I think, and something I take with me no matter where I go.

Keeping busy

So as you know, I am counting down the days till my flight to Sydney and my subsequent 2 months spent touring the ports of New Zealand! Excited is an understatement. So it might seem like a bit of a challenge to stay focused on freelance work these days — especially with the weather the way it is here in the rainforest we call Vancouver. The trick, I find, is to keep busy.

I've managed to snag a few painting commissions before I leave, as well as some video editing/compilation projects. When I'm not working on those things, I've also become self-motivated to keep all of my sites updated AND I'm also working on T-shirt designs. You might ask: well what's the point of that work Viv? It doesn't exactly pay well does it? Well that might be true in the grand scheme of things, but as a graphic illustrator you always want to stay in touch with your target audience and see what trends are happening. I've recently become an active artist at Threadless.com - be sure to check back for new designs/illustrations.

The travel bug

I've often thought that I really should have made this a travel blog rather than an art blog since I seem to travel for work so much. However, traveling the globe has also exposed me to a lot of different architectural styles, art history, and natural wonders. My recent stop in San Francisco was no different. I love the vibe of the city! There's a lot of "hustle & bustle"; Art & Culture. Not to mention it's a city by the water - what's not to love?!

As you by now know - I'm obsessed with the water/beach lifestyle. I don't know if it's because I'm a true west coast girl or what. It's the reason I spend a good portion of my time working on cruise ships. So I'm excited for my next adventure — which will take me to New Zealand for two months! New Zealand is a country I've had on my bucket list (which I now like to refer to as my "life list") for a while now. So stay tuned for pictures!

An adventurous spirit

As I was kayaking beside my uncle along the shoreline of Sylvan Lake on a recent trip to Alberta, he turned to me and said "sounds like you have an adventurous spirit." I wonder where I got that from? :)

As far back as I can remember, I've loved the water and anything that has to do with it. Snorkeling with sting rays?! Sign me up! Set sail for a summer of cruising?! I'm there! Despite my timid first few years of life, I've managed to follow the calling of the ocean air with little resistance. So I suppose it's no surprise that I've managed to accomplish quite a lot in life while pursuing my love of water (despite being a 'starving artist'). One of my fans even wrote to tell me that she could see my love of water in every one of my brush strokes.... talk about a compliment!

So keep living the dream! Following your heart — and following your artistic nature can have its challenges, but don't forget to look back and see how far you've come (and how far you will go) keep living with a hunger for adventure!