About Me: A Good Question Day 10

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Final Question!

• In what ways are you making a difference in people’s lives?

My left brain really wants to jump in and answer this question analytically — A) What change(s) have I effected and B) in what manner do I effect change (if I do actually make a difference in people’s lives)

A) It is likely I have adequately covered some specific examples in a previous question on Day 6

B) I truly believe everyone effects change in the world to some degree; that everyday someone is making a difference in someone else’s life through action and modelling based on ideologies or philosophies

So here are a couple of my beliefs that assuredly power my own actions which may have engendered a positive difference in other people’s lives:

• Shared opportunities equal shared benefits 
• Sometimes you must create what you need

About Me: A Good Question Day 9

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• What projects are you working on right now, and why are you enthusiastic about them?

I am in between cycles right now, just out of an intense cycle of production. I have a couple small projects for the interim — my next steps slowly percolating.

This 'good question challenge' is working toward another project that I am keen to put into place. This exercise of self study I hope will add some dimensionality to my online presence — where connections are made with less and much is unknown and assumed. I look at it as a positive bridge to connecting and relating.

I have a few smaller works on the go in the studio to finish up, which always helps to clear the path for new adventures.

And I am participating in Celebrity Portrait over the next month, a local version of Star Portraits. I am simply enjoying the process, and the opportunity for experimentation & community connections.

About Me: A Good Question Day 8

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• What organizations are you associated with and in what ways? How does each organization contribute to your art career or personal development?

Many of my previous answers in the question challenge have outlined the beneficial experiences received through my volunteer role as president of the Huntsville Art Society (HAS), so for this question I will focus on my role as a member of it as well as two other organizations I enjoy membership with: Muskoka Arts and Crafts (MAC), and the Arts Council of Muskoka (ACOM).


All three organizations offer a diverse variety of show & sales, and exhibition opportunities year round; spread across our Muskoka region. Through both HAS and MAC my work has been a recipient of awards of excellence. 

I volunteer yearly for MAC’s Spring Show event, and I have done some sporadic volunteer work for ACOM, such as sitting on their strategic review committee, and facilitating partnerships between HAS and ACOM, as well as workshops for them. 

I have also attended many Creative Muskoka meetings which focus more on the creative economy than the arts.


All three organizations offer opportunities for learning through lectures, networking, and workshops both in the business of art and creative skills sharing.


All three organizations partner with with other groups and municipalities to offer even more opportunities, and I am quite proud to be able to say I have participated on many levels in support of their efforts. Muskoka is a genuine arts community and received its official designation by the District of Muskoka through the efforts of Muskoka Arts and Crafts on April 28, 2008.

About Me: A Good Question Day 7

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• How do I spend my time outside of the studio, including hobbies, interests, sports, family, and volunteer activities?

Aside from daydreaming . . .

I am attracted to activities that are intimate and reflective, yet interspersed with sudden emotional extremes . . . so obviously I own my own set of golf clubs, and, though the thrill has gone of putting worm to hook, I enjoy fishing. 

I am an avid movie watcher, and I rarely miss a night of reading (a real actual book) -- I adore good science fiction & fantasy.



I have an active volunteer life within the arts, and I have been known to do woodworking and minor house renovations with (drool) power tools.

I enjoy collecting things -- mostly for their appeal and not for having any serious monetary value: black teacups & wine glasses, animal eggcups and salt & pepper shakers, mirrors, old children’s books, weather-worn things -- pretty or unusual rocks/shells/driftwood/fungi, lime-green Christmas ornaments . . .

. . . to name a few.

About Me: A Good Question Day 6

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• What career successes (education, exhibitions, collections, . . . ) are you most proud of having accomplished?

I am tremendously fortunate to have amassed a long list of accomplishments and successes in a relatively short period of time, and of course, I did not do it all alone. 


My entire CV holds special meaning in every entry; collaborations, awards, published images, professional development, innovation, event creation, charitable donations, recognition, and singularly special opportunity realization. This makes for a tough decision, but here goes . . . 

1. 2011 Gallery representation, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, Philadelphia, US

2. 2011 First solo exhibition, the Framing Place & Gallery, Huntsville, Ont. 

3. 2010 Showing and demonstrating as part of the G8/G20 Media Centre’s Muskoka Corridor, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, Ont. 

4. 2010 Exhibitor at The Art Space gallery’s first exhibition Eight back from the Lake, an exhibition of the eight artists who represented Muskoka and Canada during the G20, Huntsville, Ont. 

5. 2010 Exhibitor, Sense of Place, an exhibition for the post G8 grand opening of the Canada Summit Centre, Huntsville, Ont. 

6. 2010 Nominated for the YWCA’s women of distinctions awards in arts/culture and creative energy, Muskoka

I also believe an essential element of career success is to work outside the studio, be involved in your arts community, help forward initiatives that support and sustain visual artists, not only for the breadth of professional development benefits inherent in that activity (which has led me to acquire a wide range of skills, experience, and networking exposure), but in working beyond the studio we ensure there are systems in place, and additional opportunities — that both art and artists have a place of reception, and are well received.

As President of the Huntsville Art Society (2008-2011), There were so many accomplishments I was privileged to be part of through either assisting, initiating or creating. The following five I am particularly close to and proud of:

1. 2011 Project Coordinator: The Pachter Factor Art exhibition by Contemporary Canadian Icon Charles Pachter, opening as a Nuit Blanche North Extravaganza event including a VIP pre-event with presentation by the Mayor of Huntsville, a paparazzi lined red carpet arrival complete with volunteers portraying the Queen, Prince William, princess Kate, a "Butter Tart Honour Guard," an evening of limo exit public photo op, including exterior entrance wall slide show projection of selected works, and a Projection Injection live feed onto opposite exterior entrance wall of red carpet arrivals onto projected images of Pachter's paintings. 

2. 2010 - Establishment of The Art Space: Gallery • Workshops Huntsville’s first non-profit contemporary art gallery venue which offers exhibitions and workshops to the public. 

3. 2010 - Initiated the establishment of the Town of Huntsville’s Arts Placement Working Group A committee formed to shape policy on art in public spaces and buildings in the municipality of Huntsville, which selected and curated local art for the post G8 grand opening of the new Canada Summit Centre Exhibition Hall 

4. 2010 - 2009 - Co-originator/grant writer of Creativation: Art, Kids, Community 2009/10 A new pilot program offering innovative and challenging programs and activities that support and enhance the Ministry of Education’s Visual Arts Curriculum, as well as expose students to the vast range of creative experiences and visual culture available to them in their local and regional community. 

5. 2010 - Originator and curator of ArtSHIFT An exhibition which partnered 5 artists with 5 local industries to explore creativity and innovation in local industry, and showcased works which incorporate those concepts, utilizing related raw materials supplied by each local industry sponsor.

• What professional and personal obstacles have I overcome to get where I am today? What essential lessons have I learned from any mistakes?

Up until 2008, work space was a challenge. When we moved, I transformed a pre-existing “sleeping cabin” or “bunkie” on our new property into my studio.

A personal obstacle would have to be public speaking. I suspect it would be so much easier if I was an extrovert, however, I have had more opportunities than I ever wanted over the past three years and practice definitely makes for improvement. I can do it. I a’m not saying I’m ready for TED yet, but I can do it.

I don’t recall mistakes per se, more like making the best decision I could with information or skills I had at the time. Time seems to heal most embarrassments, and you do what you can toward fixing it or improving the next similar situation.

Essential lessons learned . . .
1. Do not let negative emotions interfere with your goals. Regardless of how negatively another person can interject into any part of your situation, response or reaction is best considered within the parameters of your goals, and not your ego.
2. Do not apply an entire container of gel medium on your canvas and expect to scrape it into an even layer, in one swipe, even if you think you have the perfect sized scraper — for it WILL lay thick in the middle due to canvas bowing.
3. Do not step over a gel covered canvas - you WILL get dirt on it . . . dirt you won’t see until it is dry and permanently adhered.

4. Do Read Yes Man by Danny Wallace. (The movie does not do it justice.)
5. Do Say ‘yes’ more often -- it is an adventure in living.

About Me: A Good Question Day 5

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• What are the ten most interesting things I have done or that have happened to me that have contributed to my art career?

In no particular order . . .

1. Backpacked Europe: London, England - Paris, France - Barcelona, Madrid, Spain - Lisbon, Lagos, Portugal - Venice, Florence, Italy - Ostend, Belgium -- to visit the Musee du Louvre, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame Cathedral, Picasso’’s Guernica, Sagrada Familia, Michelangelo’’s David, Goudi’’s architecture, Davinci’’s Mona Lisa 
2. Traveled to New York City to see the sights: Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, the Guggenheim, Statue of Liberty, The Waldorf Astoria, various plays; and Buffalo to visit the Albright-knox Gallery
3. Was nominated in 2010 for the YWCA Woman of Distinction Awards in Arts, Culture and Creative Energy
4. Homeschooled my two sons from 1996 - 2008 (which honed my project management skills) and included "enrolling" my sons in “”Hogwarts Summer Correspondence School”” 3 years in a row: 3-4 weeks each summer of intense co-creating online with other teacher-parents to create a nightly owl delivered Harry Potter inspired curriculum complete with supplies shipped from Diagon Alley, handmade magical books on regular educational topics, treats from Hogsmead, and correspondence/grades from Hogwarts teachers on parchment - the occasional Howler came too
5. Transformed an entire room into a Hogwarts inspired hangout: including faux-stone castle walls and floors, trompe l'oeil ceiling, secret hidings spaces inside walls, mosaic-ed baseboard heater, modified furniture and fixtures
6. Originator and curator of ArtSHIFT: An exhibition which partnered 5 artists with 5 local industries to explore creativity and innovation in local industry, and showcased works which incorporate those concepts, utilizing related raw materials supplied by each local industry sponsor
7. One of eight artists featured as part of the 2010 G8/G20 Summit Media Centre’s Muskoka Corridor Experience at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto
8. Representation by Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, Philadelphia
9. Establishment of The Art Space Gallery during my term as president of the Huntsville Art Society
10. Project coordinator for a large multiple-event: The Pachter Factor; a Nuite Blanche North event and art exhibit

About Me: A Good Question Day 4

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• What training/education have you completed, and what did you gain from those experiences? [Include self-education. How have you taught yourself? Also include non-art training/education that contributes to your worldview.]

I studied Fine Arts at Fanshaw College in London Ontario, and from that I came away with the knowledge that access to your fellow artists is essential for growth, support, reciprocal mentorship, and inspiration.

I have possibly an unusual amount of diverse on-the-ground self-training. I Homeschooled my two sons from 1996 till 2008 in the classical method which meant a lot of relearning as well as new learning, for instance I learned Latin so I would be able to teach it.

In 2009 I read the book Yes Man by British humorist Danny Wallace. The memoir relates a 6-month period in which he committed himself to saying 'Yes' to everything. Aside from finding it to be a laugh-out-loud read I was convinced its premis was a worthy practice. I did absolutely follow it up with my own period of saying ‘yes’ to any request; if it was related to art and the business of art I responded affirmatively, if not at times eagerly as in the case of live television interviews.

The ‘Yes’ approach often took me out of my comfort zone and presented situations that required specific skills or knowledge. I frequently had to draw on the expertise and knowledge of friends or instructors. Subsequently, I have attended literally hundreds of workshops-info sessions-lectures-meetings etc in just over 2 years. Most have in some way contributed to the business side of things: computer graphics & design, project management, grant writing, creating budgets, bookkeeping, marketing and promotion, event planning, presenting, proposal drafting, and chairing an organization to name a few.

• What new art or business skills have you learned in the last year?

This year was spent honing a very long list of skills with thanks to a participation in a year long course on the business of art (Alyson B. Stanfield’s Artist Conspiracy), but two stand out as unique to this year:

1. Writing: Thanks to an on-line course this October by writer and creativity coach Cynthia Morris, I have a newfound ability to generate content in a freer, less painful manner than previously. 
2. Project management on a large multiple-event scale: specifically The Pachter Factor, an month long art exhibition by Contemporary Canadian Icon Charles Pachter, opening as a Nuit Blanche North Extravaganza event including a VIP pre-event with presentation by the Mayor of Huntsville, a paparazzi lined red carpet arrival complete with volunteers portraying the Queen, Prince William, princess Kate, a "Buttertart Honour Guard," an evening of limo exit public photo op, including exterior entrance wall slide show projection of selected works, and a Projection Injection live feed onto opposite exterior entrance wall of red carpet arrivals onto projected images of Pachter's paintings.

About Me: A Good Question Day 3

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• What made me decide to pursue my particular technique? What do I like about my specific medium or technique?

Drawn to colour and texture I enjoy working in almost any medium where I can utilize these two elements as part of the expression. I have in the past used a diversity of mediums: film, photography, sculpture in metal & found objects, cloth, etc. Sometimes what I want to express is best expressed in a particular medium or combination of mediums.

Currently I am focused on developing to a greater technical proficiency my own contemporary paper manipulation & ink technique. This technique involves 3 very diverse steps or stages to reach completion (paper,wash,ink), ultimately melding these 3 steps into something new, unique. Both the paper and the wash stages contribute to the process in a manner I cannot predict in its entirety. The unpredictability and strong contributing attributes of both the first two stages makes working in this technique a challenge, but also offers an eagerly anticipated surprise factor. There is an attractive see-sawing partnership to the process which underscores the final image. I very much work through a process of reaction and inspiration offered by the expression of the materials, unique to each piece.

About Me: A Good Question Day 2

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• How did I end up becoming an artist?

Some of my earliest memories (age three or four) centred around drawing with crayons, excitedly sharing sheets and sheets with any adult in the vicinity. Every school essay, report or project had to have a drawing, better yet, several drawings. My unwavering interest led to art lessons by grade four. My preteen bi-weekly allowance's unfailing first purchase a new thick pad of clean white typewriter paper. High-school and self earnings deliciously coincided with a discovery of Grumbacher artist supply catalogues. 


Not having a creative outlet is for me an uncomfortable state. I am inherently, fundamentally, intrinsically driven to create.

About Me: A Good Question Day 1

In response to: A Good Question Challenge FAQ

1. What would I and others say are five of my personality pluses?

I would have to go with the repeated observations pulled from several recommendations made at Linkedin and (rather surprisingly & conveniently for this question) outlined in the following single statement:
"Col is a high energy, very creative, friendly, organized, "get things done" kind of person.” – R. D. 

creative
“Col is a professional, creative artist.” – R. R. 
“Col is an artist of the highest calibre, and her innovative approach to her work and to the artistic community ensures that she will always explore new approaches, and continue to offer wonderful artwork borne of her high talent and artistic curiosity.” – M. D.
““Col is a multi-talented professional artist with a keen sense of design and colour.” – D. B
"As an Artist she is immensely talented her technique is unique.” – E. C.

energetic, personable, 
“She is incredibly energetic, savvy and focused and has done great work . . . A woman who really makes things happen!” – J. C. 
“Col is a motivated dedicated Artist and a tireless worker in the promotion and advancement of all aspects of the Arts. An incredible artist in her own right with a very amicable personality . . .” – M. G.

“Col is Chair of the Huntsville Arts Society, in which she is visionary . . . She is very personal, hard working and great to work with.” – C. R. 

organized/goal oriented
“ . . . her dedication, organizational skills and her incredible capacity to get things done. Col's expertise and leadership have been remarkable assets . . . ” – S.H.
“Always professional and goal oriented Col brings a sense of optimism to each project.” – E. C.


2.    Why do I do what I do [What do I like/love about being an artist? What is it I GEEK OUT on?] 

Being an artist is a heady adventure without map or instruction manual, inherently exploratory. The process of creating, starting with a pleasurable or stinging seed of inspiration — whether it be a word, an image, a scene, music, a conversation — of seeing what is not there, or seeing something in a different light, of connecting with the essence of it, working it out with my spirit, mind and materials, translating it into a viewable or experience-able form in an attempt to communicate its essence, something that speaks to the elements of that seed of inspiration — is intense, imminently satisfying and somewhat magical.