Crawling 2009

I spent most of yesterday roaming around the East End of Vancouver peering in artists studios. It is the annual East Side Culture Crawl. I usually participate as an artist and don't have a chance to see what other people are making. Lucky me.

As usual, there were lots of artists whose work was very much expected. Not terribly innovative or original. Seeing efforts and volume was impressive but some people seem to use this as a craft fair and just pump out product.

There were some amazing exceptions , of course, like Bridget Catchpole, an amazing jeweler from the Parker Street Studios and Wendy Berry, the ceramicist from the Mergatroid Building.

I complimented Bridget Catchpole on her work after being introduced to her by Vivian Bauman, my Crawl buddy. She remembered my work from last year and offered to trade. We also decided she was a definate option for the "Creative Cluster" that Vivian wants to organize.

Wendy Berry is a wonderful ceramics artist who is in the Margatroid Building. It turns out she teaches some courses at Emily Carr. Her explorations with texture are exciting and her explorations of form even more. She is very elusive with her explanations of her work but confessed that she is " very captured" and has to keep making her little beings. Like me.

I love the Crawl because it always brings me new ideas to explore and new people to play with.

The Crawl

I won't be participating at the Culture Crawl this weekend for the first time in a few years. Life has been far too dramatic and I am preparing for an important show in January. Not that the Culture Crawl isn't important but energy is short.

Hilary, my studio partner is pregnant with a little "Bon Bon"! We are all thrilled for Hil and Jim.
She won't be participating either.

I haven't had a chance to see all the beautiful work displayed at the Crawl for a few years. I am going to be "Crawling" with other locals to see what is up and who is doing what.

My studio is nearly unpacked from Wells and I am now ready to let go of lots of supplies. Too much stuff stifles my creativity. Too little makes me dismantle the curtains. I have way, way too much stuff and I want new stuff, like a fume table and a new heat press and a solar oven.

If you want stuff let me know because I have lots and lots of everything.