I Didn’t See It Coming

I’ve been teaching since 1999.

And last week, something happened that hasn’t happened before.

Teaching art analysis isn’t easy – most of the time, art students would prefer to just *make art* and ignore all the written and theoretical stuff that is part of our classes. But art analysis is a really important part of the curriculum and it helps for so many reasons. I would list them all but I’d get distracted and miss the point of my story, so…

Back to last week.

Last week, our Principal shared some resources for Black History Month:

• https://www.canculturemag.com/arts/2021/2/27/10-black-canadian-artists-to-follow-and-celebrate
• https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/here-we-are-here-black-canadian-contemporary-art
• https://sencanada.ca/en/about/art-architecture/art-heritage/honouring-canadas-black-artists/

I clicked on the first link and tried to choose an artist I hadn’t seen before. I settled on this work by artist Kaya Joan:

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I also chose it because it was *so* different than artwork that I connect with on a personal level. I wanted to talk about this with my class so they knew that it’s still possible to discuss art and appreciate it on different levels even if it’s not something they automatically like.

We went through the stages of analysis — I found a simplified analysis sheet on Canva to help us start off the semester with some baby steps before diving into anything more challenging:

After we discussed each step, students were finishing their responses for “Critique,” and my mind began to wander. I asked them “if you could choose any song to accompany this artwork, what would it be?”

One student said “hard rock,” and another said “jazz,” which made more sense to me. Then, one student said “the Cantina music from Star Wars.”

O.M.G!!! 

My mouth dropped and I spun around to look at the artwork again — I couldn’t believe it, but the artwork I had struggled to connect with suddenly became something I liked more! We played the music and then we could even imagine the two alien-type figures holding instruments we couldn’t see. Everyone in the class suddenly loved this artwork.

We’re definitely going to try this again.

A Blueberry Winery!

This weekend, we drove my daughter to college in Sudbury. As you’d expect, I’m full of emotions right now — and have been over the past few weeks, anticipating this weekend — but there are some really wonderful feelings in there too.

A large blue building in Wawa captured my attention but I wasn’t sure if I read the signs correctly. I could have sworn it said it was a winery! But we were in a rush to get to Sault Ste. Marie before it got too dark so I hadn’t really had the chance to get the details. Honestly, I assumed I misread the signs.

Two days later, we were blessed with everything you’d hope for on the way back: lots of time, great weather and good tunes. I almost forgot about the building I’d seen in Wawa but as we drove by there was no mistaking all that beautiful blue so we quickly pulled off the highway and we’re so glad we did.

As soon as we stepped in the building, I was dazzled by the gift shop — and I couldn’t help but wonder if my own blueberry prints & notebooks might fit in with the theme of this beautiful shop. The owner came out to meet us and gave us a tour of his facilities.

Incredible! When you’re in the warehouse, you can still smell the blueberries from this summer in the air – and what an amazing collection of equipment! Growing up, my Dad welded a hand-held blueberry picker that looked similar to a cylindrical steel juice jug but with prongs attached to the front of the cylinder. Trevor, the owner, showed us his tractor that uses the same technology but it can harvest *so* many more blueberries than we’re used to picking!

Then, the berries are poured into a machine that sifts, cleans and sorts them. What I wouldn’t have given for this kind of machine when I was a kid. I remember my Dad getting one of our aluminum boats, leaning it against the picnic table upside down and draping a wool blanket over the boat. My family would stand on either side of the wool-draped boat while my Dad would slowly pour blueberries from a box. We would pick out any leaves & stems as they rolled over the surface of the wool blanket, which helped them go a bit slower for us. If your mind works like mine, this scene might pop into your head:

Now, when I say “box”, I don’t mean a handy little lunch-sized box. I mean a HEFTY, fill-your-freezer-for-years box.

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Thank you, Trevor, for the lovely tour — and for the suggestion to check out Magpie Falls, which is just down the road. It’s beautiful, and the pictures are saved in my “painting ideas” collection.

Now that I’m back home, I promptly whipped up a batch of scones so I could use the jams we bought at the winery — and I had to share them with Mom, who is our blueberry expert. I’d say she approves.

Two ingredients. Perfection!

Now to get busy and organize my print collection:

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A post shared by Colleen Rose (@colleenkr)

I think I’ll be ordering more Blueberry notebooks:

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A post shared by Colleen Rose (@colleenkr)

You can order notebooks here: https://www.amazon.ca/CKR-Publishing/e/B0BNXNF5F7/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

If you’re in the States: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BNXNF5F7?ingress=0&visitId=257c6b41-cd62-43d5-8ba7-d4cd09cb3805&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr

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p.s. If you’re really lucky, you’ll get to meet this guy:

xo

Totally Worth It

I am far from being adventurous. But am I, really? In a way, we’re all out here, living life – and that’s a pretty scary thing when you think about it. But adventurers are known for doing big things with what appears to be little fear.

I’m not that kind of adventurer. I have honed my anxiety so well that it keeps me safe from a multitude of possible and imagined scenarios. Safe and stuck inside my head.

So, I stepped outside of it last month and dared to go kayaking on Loftquist Lake while I visited my friend at her camp. *fyi: people in Northwestern Ontario don’t go to “cottages”.

Isn’t this awesome? This is what I kept thinking while I was on the water, by myself, being brave. There’s a very good chance that this isn’t what brave looks like for you, and that’s ok. It totally makes sense.

Even now, as I look through my pictures from that day, my heart soars. I remember how happy I felt, and I hope I never forget that feeling.

This past year has thrown me for a loop, so I missed out of several opportunities to soak in the good stuff in life for a while. I think this is why something as small as a solo kayak ride on a very calm lake felt like such a big thing.

Plus, the water was so beautiful. I took several pictures — because I was again so very brave by bringing my phone with me *on the water*! (I kept hoping I wouldn’t need to soak my phone in a bag of rice later on)

It felt like an escape, which is something water tends to do for me. It’s why I paint it often; it soothes something deep in me even though I don’t understand why or how.

Soon after, I sorted through my photos and decided that I needed to paint.

Behold, my elaborate corner studio, aka a space I stole for myself in my living room.

Once I started painting, I couldn’t stop. This painting kept me going for hours on end, which says a lot — I have Cervical Dystonia, so my muscles often stop me before I want to take a break.

The process of painting this scene brought me so much joy. I loved working with these beautiful colours, and it was so fun to play with the shifting light on the water’s surface.

As I began to finish the painting, it felt like coming to the end of a good book — one whose characters found their way into your heart and you can’t ever forget. I was happy to see the finished product but at the same time, creating it was such a great experience that it was difficult to set down the paintbrush.

Et voila ~ my prized possession from this summer. In it, so many memories and emotions. I’m so glad that I chose a larger canvas because it feels like an immersive experience while standing in front of it. I can see why Mark Rothko and Monet painted on such a large scale. Sometimes, size matters.

xo

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Studio Visits & Scones

Do you get nervous when someone says they’d like to pop by? Do you suddenly realize how messy your home is, then frantically tidy and clean?

I’m guilty of this.

But, not as guilty as I used to be. So I’m counting that as a win.

One of my former colleagues saw my recent post on Instagram:

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She loved the idea of getting prints as gifts for people in her life who are about to celebrate some exciting milestones, so she sent me a message and we scheduled a studio visit.

Is it ok to say that the idea of a studio visit is very, very cool to me? I know technically, it’s basically someone coming for a regular visit in my home, which has a studio space in my living room. But if it’s called a “studio visit” it just sounds like I’m cooler than I feel. So yeah, let’s go with studio visit.

Besides, it’s an opportunity to make scones.

Confession: I took this picture after my guest left. We were so busy talking about art and life — and since she’s a former colleague, we couldn’t help but talk about school too — that I forgot to take a picture while she was here.

I think I could get used to studio visits.

My friend couldn’t have cared less if my floors weren’t swept, if there are dog hair tumbleweeds floating around, or if there were piles of unorganized papers on my dining room table. It was just a wonderful visit.

She decided to buy three prints, which means that I’ve successfully started to raise money for the Red Rock Legion. This means so much to me — our legion is such an integral part of our community and they host so many events that bring people together. It’s even more important because Aggie was an active auxiliary member and volunteered on countless occasions. So, in her honour, I’m donating 50% of the profits from print sales to the legion. I think she’d like that.

Now, back to the scones:

If you come by for a studio visit, I’ll make them for you. They’re the best scones in the whole world. If you disagree, you have to make scones for me.

But just a heads up: if you visit, I can’t guarantee that it’ll be tidy.

Oh, I almost forgot: if you’d like some prints, you can come and visit me in Red Rock or you can buy them online here: https://www.colleenrose.ca/

xo

Sketchbooks & Notebooks and Journals, Oh My!

A few weeks ago, I published my first post about self-publishing so you’d think I’d be past the initial excitement.

Nope!

I love learning how to create sketchbooks & journals that other people will use.

I keep imagining what you might do on each page… will you:

• write a journal entry about your day?
• sketch, doodle or create a collage?
• create grocery lists or write reminders about appointments in the months ahead?
• write short stories and draw some of your characters?

Your creative skills are unlimited, which is really exciting — it’s one of the reasons why I enjoy being an art teacher.

Sometimes you don’t realize how creative you are.

But it’s true. Both parts: you are creative, and sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking we’re not.

The first copy that arrived – can you tell I’m really proud? (ignore the “not for resale banner — this is my “author’s copy”)

I’ve learned that I’m capable of making notebooks & sketchbooks. When I create the next editions, I’m going to tweak a few things — for example, the next Sketchbook & Journal will have blank pages back-to-back, and lined pages back-to-back. This way, you won’t be able to see faint lines on the back of the blank pages.

If you’re a perfectionist like me, you’ll know it’s a struggle to accept anything that isn’t “just right” but I’m ok with it. I think. Time to roll up my sleeves and get to work on a better version. Besides, I’ll use this lesson with my students, who are the best cheerleaders whenever I try something new. I seriously love them.

https://www.tiktok.com/@colleenkr2/video/7177447867282640134?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7165930293454816774

Thank you so much for joining me on this new journey — I never saw this coming, and it feels like a new hope with so many new possibilities.

Next step: planners…?

Trevor is one of the first people to get my notebooks & when he shared this picture, I think I squealed with excitement!

Send me your pictures: when you get your notebook, when you give a sketchbook as a gift, when you write or create art in them — I’d love to see it all!

DM @ColleenKR, or email colleen@colleenrose.ca

xo

Winter is Coming…

It is a season I dread. The colder temps chill me to the bone and winter driving is something I avoid at all costs. But here in Canada, especially Northwestern Ontario, winter is unavoidable. We have four seasons, even though the magnet on my fridge divides them into two: winter and bugs.

Canadians are known for winter – it’s almost a source of pride when we talk about the weather with anyone who doesn’t live in our area. Sometimes it almost becomes a game of one-upmanship. For example, I scoff (politely, of course) at the feeble attempts of friends in Southern Ontario who post a picture of their outdoor thermometer. Mine is always colder. If it’s not, I might tell them how we’re living in the tropics up here.

But deep down, I shudder when I hear “wind chill” on the radio weather update. When the cold hits, and stays, I’m not a cheery person. Quite the opposite. But really, if we have colder weather half of the year, it’s not healthy to be grumpy about it so I have to figure out a way to enjoy our colder, shorter days.

Yesterday, I wrote on the back of two little watercolour paintings I made into postcards. (I love snail mail. Getting a real letter in the mail has always excited me, and sending letters makes me equally as happy because I hope the other person gets excited too)

Then I chose to sit down and begin another little painting. I scrolled through my saved posts and pictures, found a beautiful photo taken by Blair Wright, and got my supplies ready. I’m beginning to love this ritual, which usually includes lighting a candle and pouring a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

As the light began to fade, I chose to keep painting. I couldn’t see the details as well and I began to question some of the colours I mixed but it didn’t matter. It felt wonderful. The candlelight provided a soothing glow and there was a spark of excitement in this little bit of risk-taking.

This morning, I got a better look at the final product and took it outside just because the fall colours would contrast with our leafless backyard.

I love it.

For so many reasons. The scene depicts Ouimet Canyon, which is in Dorion – my home town. I love the mix of fall colours and the strong contrast of shadows only seen on very sunny days. And of course, I love it because it was so fun to make. It holds a memory of a beautiful, calm evening sitting at my table, painting by candlelight.

It makes me wonder if this might be one way to make happiness in winter. Not find happiness, but make happiness.

I pulled out my copy of The Little Book of Hygge, which seems like the healthiest way to welcome the winter season. It’s also a good time to stock up on candles and cozy socks and sweaters.

Next step: finding a way to get outside in the winter and enjoy it.

How do you make happiness in the winter?

xo

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Can Art Make a Difference?

I sure hope so.

This year, I’m using my art to raise funds for two hospitals in the region. It’s my way of doing something with my gift to help others.

It’s also a way to remember Aggie.

Maybe this could be my take on form vs. function. I’ve never really been the kind of artist to create “art for art’s sake”. I just express how I feel through my art, and landscapes are the best way I can do this.

I’ve often thought about how cool it would be to be avant-garde, edgy, cerebral but it isn’t me.

When I go hiking, I feel connected with nature. If there is a “Mother Nature”, I feel like she gets me. It’s a bit like the love of a pet – they accept you and love you deeply for all that you are. But being in nature is taking it on a deeper level – like you’re part of something bigger so everything you feel is interconnected. Does that make sense?

That’s why I create. It’s my way to connect with something bigger than myself; something that understands me. Some people feel like it’s a form of meditation and I wouldn’t disagree. If you’ve watched Soul, you’ll understand what I mean.

So I choose to use all these good vibes to give back to my community.

I’m eternally grateful for the amazing health care we have in our region. We’re not close to any really large cities – Thunder Bay is the largest city in the area, and the population is about 120 000. Other than that, we’re a mix of much smaller communities that aren’t usually above a few thousand.

And yet, we have such caring and dedicated health care professionals that are there for us when we need them.

When Aggie transitioned into palliative care at the Nipigon Hospital, I was so grateful for the welcoming and warm environment filled with furniture and food that made it feel like a home for Aggie and her family. If there’s a way I can provide more funds to help them buy whatever they need for anyone else who needs to stay with a loved one in the hospital, that would be something I could be proud of.

Head to my website or send me an email: colleen@colleenrose.ca if you’d like to buy a print.

We’ll do some good together.

xo

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Come and Visit Me in My Studio

*cue the cheesy commercial intro from somewhere in ’80s TV history

Colleen casually turns around and acts surprised to see a film crew in her face and begins to talk to the world on the other side of the lens…

“Oh hello there! I was just tidying my studio and getting ready for my day as an artist. Let’s see what we’re going to do today!”

Now I’m imagining a variety of little fun segments, a little mix of Mr. Dressup and Romper Room. Because why not? They made me happy when I was a kid so I’m pretty sure they’d make me happy now. Watch the clips I’ve linked. I guarantee they’ll make you happy too. (do it)

There’s something really important about remembering our childhood selves. Because who we were is still inside. Sounds weird, but it’s really true. And we still need to feel excitement, wonder and love. These are not sappy and childish things. We need them to remember that life is beautiful.

Just because we’ve grown our physical bodies doesn’t mean we have to be dragged down by the things that drain us. I’m saying this out loud because I’ve been drained lately. Officially bummed out. I’m dealing with some health challenges that have left me stressed, sometimes in pain, sometimes sleepless… sometimes life just sucks.

The list of things that kind-of suck gets too long for my liking. Am I sticking to my budget? Do I need to book another appointment? Do I know what meals are ahead for the week? Will I have the energy to do the chores around the house or will I need to ask for help? How are my kids doing? Will they be able to talk through their problems with me? …etc., etc. …

You know what’s also weird about being a kid? We couldn’t wait to grow up!

WTF?

It’s true! We looked up to the kids who were older than us and wanted to be like them. They were so much cooler than us, weren’t they? My elementary school had two levels to it – grades 1, 2 and 3 were on the first floor and grades 4 through 7 were on the upper level (we didn’t have grade 8 – we were bussed to Red Rock from Dorion that year). When my friends and I were in grade 3, we couldn’t wait to be in grade 4 because then we’d be in “high school”. Weren’t we clever? Get it? “High” school? Kid humour.

But that’s the thing. We were little, things were simple and we took joy in stupid things.

So take a break from being an adult. Even if it’s just for a few seconds ok?

You were awkward. Your clothes were cringy. Your Mom cut your hair. So what?

“Welcome to my studio, boys and girls! Today, I will be packing up prints of my paintings and sending them in the mail! Isn’t that exciting? It sure is! I love sending out packages to people because it makes them so happy. Do you like to send mail? Do you write letters to people? It’s fun, and it always makes them smile. What would you say in your letter?”

Can you guess where this came from?

Today, do me a favour. I know your adult list is long. But it’ll always be long.

Schedule 5 minutes to do something for your childhood self. They’re inside you and they’re looking for something kind-of cool. Maybe something stupid, because stupid is funny. They like a good laugh.

Set a timer. Kids like timers.

I’m getting ready to carve pumpkins with my kids who are 16 and 18. Because they still need to feel like kids too. And it makes me super happy. I need some happiness and so do they – and so do you.

xo

The Audacity

I am not a natural writer. I am a natural artist.

But when I began blogging, I discovered that writing helped me think through my ideas in a way that came more naturally than speaking. This meant a lot to me; I could take time to formulate ideas, I wouldn’t feel awkward for taking time to think of the right words or question social interactions during a conversation. Lovely!

I am fascinated by words that express ideas that might otherwise take time to explain. One of those words is audacity. I was familiar with the word, but it didn’t occur that it could be a powerful word until I read Barack Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope. It’s been a few years since I enjoyed the author’s (can I say “Barack’s” or “Mr. Obama’s”?) book, but the word popped up again while I was listening to a podcast and it reminded me of my affection for the way we can use language to fully realize an idea and share it with others.

The word has a rebellious ring to it, doesn’t it? It makes me think of daring to do something, but with more of an edge to it. How dare you…?

I like it. The edginess of it pulls at me. Compels me. Do it. Do that thing you truly want to do. That thing that you’d regret not doing if you were dying.

It challenges us to look past the routine, the mundane, the day-to-day tasks that occupy our time and our space. It encourages us to think about the things that mean more to us but take for granted — those little dreams that we think we don’t have time for, the skills for, etc., etc…

Can we meet that challenge? What would it look like if you had the audacity to do what you wanted to do? What you were meant to do? Would your life look any different? How?

Have you always had ideas that would make a really great book but you never wrote any of them down? Do you spend your time scrolling through social media for hours without realizing it, knowing full well that your time could be spent doing something that would make you happier? Are you really good at procrastinating because there’s always something important to do rather than what you’d really love to begin (look at that sewing machine that’s just begging to be used… what about those running shoes that would love to go for a walk… or your banking app that keeps telling you that you could start a savings account to help you plan your first big trip)?

I see you. I am you.

Breathe with me. Sit up straight. Shoulders back. Jaw unclenched. Take a slow, deep breath all the way in… slowly let it out.

You just did a thing. A little step for you. And you can take another one.

What is the next little step that will get you closer to your goal? Your dream? That thing you’ve been putting off? My steps will look very different than your steps. My steps include putting more paint on my palette, choosing a good playlist, sitting my butt down on my stool and putting that paint on my canvas. But sometimes it’s learning how to put something up for sale on my website, struggling with tech steps that I’m unfamiliar with, clicking “contact us” and chatting with the help desk until my new skill starts to magically appear in my brain.

These steps are hard sometimes. But I don’t regret one of them. Every step I take to becoming the artist I’ve hoped to be means the world to me. I want you to feel the same way.

Tell me about your steps. I’m not joking. Think about that one little thing you know you can do and do it. Leave me a comment or email me (colleen@colleenrose.ca).

These little choices make our lives everything we need them to be.

How dare you?

The audacity!

Make Mistakes on Purpose

When you start a project, an artwork, anything at all.

That blank page can be awfully intimidating. It can hold all sorts of imagined expectations, fears, a bunch of nasty thoughts in that head of yours.

Make a mistake on purpose to move past that stuff.

It’ll be easier because you won’t be disabled by what might happen because it’s already happened.

Magic.

Do you know how many mistakes are in this sketch? No?

There are several. But it’s not a big deal because I just worked with them and now they’re a part of the picture.

Here’s another:

When I published my notebook on Amazon, I didn’t notice that I left part of the template on the image.

(ugh)

But looking at the bigger picture, it doesn’t matter – I fixed the files so new notebooks won’t include the mistake. And, most importantly, I MADE NOTEBOOKS that are up on Amazon and it’s really really cool.

https://www.tiktok.com/@colleenkr2/video/7183713346699480326?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7165930293454816774

I’ll let Neil Gaiman summarize:

Read more: neilgaiman.com

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xo

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