Second Wind Studio

Making Memories

After several drafts for a presentation at the annual Group of Seven Lake Superior Trail Gala, this is what I finally settled on.

And guess what? It was worth it!

Take a look:

@colleenkr2
The perfect little #weekend #roadtrip to Marathon, Ontario to hang out with my friends from the #GroupofSeven #LakeSuperior Trail, who invited me to speak at their annual #Gala 💫 Thanks for having me! ❤️ #canada #winter #canadianart #canadianartist #speaker @timhortons #bnb #getaway
♬ original sound – colleenkr

When I prepare to talk to a group, it’s incredibly important for me that the audience isn’t just sitting and listening. In the education world, we joke about presentations like that – they’re called “sit & gits”. So I steer clear of them.

My friends at the Group of Seven Trail committee told me there might be up to 70 people in attendance, so I rolled up my sleeves and created activity cards for everyone. It was really fun!

A few years ago, I learned that watercolour and gouache can be dispensed on a surface, dry, and then be used when you need it. I experimented with this a number of times and then began creating my paint cards on watercolour paper.

They can be cut to any size, with a workable area and a palette area. Perfect for heading out on a trail, by the lake, or in this case, painting at the legion in Marathon while someone chats about art and hiking!

I shared small pieces of paper with a simple instruction: list three important memories for me.

At different times in the presentation, I gave more details:

Choose a colour to represent the oldest memory on your list. Use water to mix the colour and fill your square, then let it dry.
Choose a colour to represent the most important memory on your list. Use water to mix the colour and fill about one third of the space on top of your other colour, then let it dry.
Choose a paint colour or choose a pen / pencil to draw, write, or print on your square. Make some kind of mark, words, or sketch that represents your special memory.

If you decide to do this activity, I’d love to see your artwork!

Thank you to my friends at the Group of Seven Lake Superior Trail. Dion and I thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in Marathon and can’t wait to come back soon. A special thank you to Christina, who hosted me at her *gorgeous* B&B!

We made some great memories.

Follow the Group of Seven Trail here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/g7trail

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g7trail

Here’s a peek at Christina’s B&B:

What Inspires Me

Have you watched Soul? The animated movie from Disney Pixar?

If you haven’t, watch it.

But don’t watch this next clip because it’ll spoil the movie for you. Actually, set down your phone or close your laptop. Don’t read any further until you’ve watched the movie, and then come back.

…

Ok, now that you’ve watched it, I know I won’t spoil anything for you. (phew!)

Here is one of my favourite clips (there are *many*) :

This life of ours is a funny thing. As wondrous as it is, we get caught up in some tough stuff and miss out on beauty all around us. I’ve been there. More than once.

And that’s ok. If you’re there right now, it’s ok.

I think that’s why art means so much to me. It’s my way of remembering (or sometimes, trying to remember) how to find the beauty in life again. Because, when you find it, it truly is beautiful. Like, right-to-your-core-everything-makes-sense-beautiful.

It’s why I keep coming back for more. Art is my connection to whatever that is.

This past summer, I created one of my favourite paintings. I’m so proud of it. It makes me remember one of the best days on Loftquist Lake (see blog post below) – the weather was perfect, the water was beautiful, and it inspired me to paint again.

I decided to make prints of Solace so that I could share my painting with you. After weeks of adjusting files and testing variations of ink on paper (process pics below), the printers (bless them for their incredible work) have created a print that I am so excited to share.

A limited edition of 50 prints are now available for purchase. 20% of the profits will be donated to Nipigon-Red Rock District High School to support their sports program. Ethan is graduating this year, and this is my way of thanking the school for the work they do.

As a teacher who has worked there for over 20 years, I see it every day: the commitment from my colleagues who make our small school so much more in so many ways. Both Ethan and Alison were lucky to attend our school, and became better people because of it.

Each print of Solace has an image size of 15 x 24″ with a one inch border. The paper measures 17 x 26″. If you are interested in purchasing a print, send me a message: colleen@colleenrose.ca or via Instagram @ColleenKR.

Prints are $90 but because this is also a way to give back to the school, you are welcome to make an extra donation if you would like to.

Thank you!

Thank you to the printers, who have met with me *outside of regular hours* on several occasions, to make it easier for someone who lives out of town. I appreciate your hard work!

Check out the making of Solace in the blog post below:

Totally Worth It

Art & Encouragement

@colleenkr2
Behind the scenes: the story of making prints, part 1 Yes, it is COLD, now that January’s here! #canada #art #artist #artprints #canadianartist #business #smallbusiness #thunderbay #canadianbusiness #design #winter #cold #femaleartist #womensart #canadiangirl #water
♬ Takin’ Care Of Business – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

It would be easier if I was the kind of artist who painted at home and didn’t share my work. By easier, I mean that I wouldn’t risk putting myself “out there” – when I post pictures of my work, I expose myself. I feel raw. I hope that people will like my pictures, and when I create prints, I hope people want to buy them.

There’s always a chance they won’t, and that possibility is almost enough to prevent me from sharing my work. Did someone see my work and just scroll past? Is it my work they don’t like? Is it me? Is my work too simple? Too expressive?

But at some point (after the ruthless anxiety has had its fun), I remember how happy I am when I create. And although my worth doesn’t depend on the opinion of others, it brings me so much joy when other people like my work too.

So, on I go. gathering courage from the scraps I find littered around my heart when anxiety sleeps. From the encouragement of friends (is that why “courage” is part of that word??). From experience, and from hope. Because, hey – we’re here to live the best life we can and sometimes it takes a brave step forward.

Time & Sound

These are the gifts the holidays bring for me.

It takes a while for me to decompress from work. Teaching is tough stuff, and it stays with you for some time, even when you’re not in the classroom.

This year, we taught up until December 22nd – which has its drawbacks, but once the busyness of the holidays are over, it’s a wonderful time to refresh. Although there’s also this dilemma:

I tried to find a balance. Make a list of important things that need to be done. Get enough of them done so I don’t feel guilty. That’s about it.

One thing I’m really glad to finish is a commission that I’ve been sitting on for a while. Usually I don’t do commissions at all – I’m a people-pleaser, so my brain anticipates all the perceived expectations and potential disappointments from my clients. It’s super fun.

But, I put on my big-girl pants and powered through.

My studio occupies a corner in my living room, which means that my family can, at times, also occupy the same space. This is tricky. I do my best work when I’m alone and I don’t like to be interrupted.

My solution is to listen to music while I’m painting. Usually my family understands that painting time means that I’m unavailable, but having earbuds in provides an extra layer of “introvert insurance.” (I know Doug is going to get a kick out of this phrase)

Another way to make the most of my time: listening to podcasts while tidying and organizing. I usually don’t have a lot of time to listen to podcasts, so when I do, I feel like I’ve checked something off my mental wish list. To do this while getting something checked off my to-do list makes me incredibly happy. And a bit of a geek.

I took this picture this morning while I was listening to an episode of “This Week in Ontario Edublogs.” I thought it might make Doug and Stephen smile to know what people are doing while their podcast was playing.

Two important things to note:

Cleaning my paint brushes is not fun for me. Sometimes I avoid it and ruin my brushes. So I’m very proud of myself when I make myself clean them before they’re horrible.
I miss Postum. The best replacement I’ve found is combining “Orzo Pupo” and Ovaltine. It’s creamy & not too sweet.

Thanks to Doug & Stephen for mentioning my blog today. It meant a lot to me – especially when you understood what it took to create this new space. New beginnings are hard but it sure makes it easier when you have support.

A Fresh Start

For quite some time, I’ve been sitting on an idea. And sitting, sitting, sitting.

But guess what? You’re reading my idea right now.

As simple as it is, I’ve been wanting to begin a new blog for a few years now. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing posts for Northern Art Teacher for over ten years; it’s been a wonderful place to share my ideas, clarify my thinking, connect with educators and begin to share my art.

As time moved on, I noticed that I wanted to share more of my own art rather than solely focusing on teaching methods and educational technology. I think as we grow older, we begin to realize how important it is to dedicate some of our energy to ourselves. Period. As a teacher and a mother, I recognize my tendencies to support others before myself.

So, at the risk of appearing selfish, I’m dedicating some energy to myself. To develop my craft, travel, connect with artists, to remember that life is more than work and to find more moments of joy.

Here’s to a fresh start!