Tag Archives: Spaces

Larissa Fassler: CIVIC. CENTRE.

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One of my favourite places to hang out on wintry days is the Esker Foundation.  It is either bopping with gaggles of work-shoppers, panel discussions, tours or other such events or it is simply peaceful, quiet and bathed it beautiful light.  Yesterday found me relatively ‘on my own’ in the space and I really appreciated the impact of the exhibits.

Most impact-full, for me, was Larissa Fassler’s work.  Given my incessant record-keeping and my daily walking-observation-documentation of my pond study, it makes sense that her work speaks to me.  I’ve almost finished my second coffee and Max needs to be speed- walked before a day of teaching.  So, I’m not going to go into long explanations here, but yesterday I felt that I had collided with a very like-minded artist.  It is wonderful to see concepts mirrored back.  And, completely by surprise.

Directly from the Esker website…this…

Larissa Fassler’s work begs us to slow down, look around, and consider more deeply the spaces and structures that organize our cities, our lives, and our identities. Fassler’s current artistic practice is premised on a prolonged process of observing and recording: she visits her chosen sites at varying times throughout the day over a period of weeks or months and remarks upon the unremarkable. She records countless everyday encounters and charts minute architectural details, creating a meticulous record of highly complex sites, looking ultimately for the ways in which space influences behaviour – and for traces of protest or disruption.

I will, later, post about Cedric and Jim Bomford’s work, The Traveller.  Given my University of Lethbridge residence experience…and gazing out at the High Level Bridge for those four years, I was left breathless once confronted by the powerful construction of space in the ‘guts’ of the gallery.  I have much to say about the traveller and was intrigued by the process of a father and son installing such a beast as this, within the context of the Esker Space.

I was grateful to be greeted by Parisa.  It has been quite a while.  The hospitality shown by the Esker staff is consistent, warm and educational.

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A Wander Into Desere Pressey’s Studio

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I met Desere Pressey when she had a space underneath the stairs at the Gorilla House.

Desere Gorilla House

I was instantly drawn to her; her youth, her wisdom, her willingness to enter the gyre!  I think she reminds me of a younger version of myself.  It’s interesting how, in life, we meet up with mirrors of our own souls.  Desere is one of those mirrors.

Kath with FidoDesere

As serendipity would have it, we ended up at the same starting-event last evening, Enriquito’s Selfismo and from there, along with her lovely friend, Heather, ended up tumbling through the evening, ending up in her creative space at Slate Studios.  There was a chill in the air, but the warmth of the objects surrounding us and the paintings on the walls chased the cold away.  I think that art that is born from a person’s soul is miraculous; something comes of nothing at all, a spark, a memory, a narrative, colour…It is absolutely thrilling to create and it is as beautiful to watch others create.  Such a journey of celebration!

I was blessed to have met Desere and it will be exciting to watch her through this process of immersion, emerging and growth.  Her work contains powerful elements of humanity and the mystical.  It is provocative and painterly.  I treasured the time spent in her sacred space and wish her many blessings on her journey as artist, friend, wife, daughter and mother of three beautiful children.  You can explore Desere’s portfolio here.

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In Desere’s Words…

About

Canadian artist, Desere Pressey. Harnessing and distributing our collective energy through art.
 

Desere Pressey is an entrepreneur and co-founder of three successful businesses over the last decade. Throughout her career she has always felt a strong pull towards her true passion for the arts, and made the decision to cease resisting her true calling. In the embrace of art, Desere now dedicates a large portion of her time to painting, which she feels aids in sustaining a connection with the creative intelligence that unites us all.

“I love the experience of being around other artists, and all the various art forms. Just being in proximity to creative flow, charges and enlivens me. Shaping energy into form comes from a place beyond what we can fully understand…intuitive artwork .. unbound..can teach us a little more of this place. I think”

“During the experience of painting, self-judgment ebbs away for creation to flow over a landscape where right doing and wrongdoing cease to exist” -Desere

Desere’s response…written here because I need to hold on to it in my archive…

We all have needs that reach far beyond our worldly desires.. and these needs are rooted from deep within our creative nature. We get our hands dirty, stir and mix, collaborate, put down words and we get up and dance! Our soul self is like a joyful child:) Perhaps you see your soul self in me.. and I you. For you still glow with the youthfulness of a child my sweet friend. You made me do a little happy dance in my studio when I read this entry of yours. I am deeply touched:) I treasure you.

 

Love Art in Calgary: Wolf Willow Studio

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Wendy Lees pulled together another fantastic Love Art in Calgary day on April 20, beginning at Michelena Bamford’s Wolf Willow Studio.  A creative and inspiring artist in her own right, Michelena has directed another company successfully, creating rich, fresh and festive wreaths through Rocky Mountain Wreaths.  Wolf Willow, a fairly recent space, provides a perfect bridge between wreath making and her myriad of other interests; mosaic, artist in residency programs, mother and child groups, meditation circles and classes.

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At introductions, Wendy shared her passion with the group around the notion of art and creativity being a channel of hope for the marginalized populations of the City of Calgary.  The past couple of months have presented her with a whirlwind of opportunity linking her to a greater design and the tour group was blessed to be a part of the expression of that.  It was great to see such a variety of people in attendance on this tour.  It was fun to meet up with a woman who has impacted me in such a positive way over time, Maggie Lindsay, and other like-minded women who have participated in art journaling in a very concrete way over the last few years.

I had just met Jenn on the last tour and was glad to see her again.  She is such a mindful person and we have shared in some wonderfully rich conversations over our lunch martinis.

Michelena shared eloquently, her story of building a business from the very concept to its fruition.  It seems that everything in her story brought her to this wonderful space.  And I’m certain that she wouldn’t mind me posting here, some drawings for the logo that is being created to represent her business.  Warm, accessible; I highly recommend that if my readers have the chance, slip into her space and enter into creation!

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On this tour, we were offered grab bags, coffee and coffee cake, as a way of easing into our tour.  Mayhaps the coffee cake is becoming tradition.  I hope so!

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Michelena offered us a wee poetry magnet package…something that engaged folk in conversation and served as a natural ice breaker.  I’m always big on the connection between words and images.  I put my package away as a peaceful meditation to complete at home.  Visiting Wolf Willow Studios was a relaxing and warm way to begin our day.  The space is magic.

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