For many years now I have been doing live art. It is a passion of mine and a unique aspect to my artistic practice. Recently I was asked to do some live art in the small BC town called, Invermere. This is near where my elders live and a place I have a deep and intimate connection with. I didn’t think it was going to be particularly busy as kids were back in school. This is kind of nice as it meant I could just enjoy painting outside and not feel any pressure to perform. This can be the case if it is a paid gig or a festival where there is lots of people watching your every move. This was a very chill live art session in the East Koots, a picture perfect evening, not too cold, not too hot.

That is until this lovely family showed up, from Italy, who had moved here because they fell in love with the place. Who could blame them really, it is magical, healing, breath taking, to name a few. I could just stare into the sky here for hours and be completely satisfied. As things progress I am introduced to Emma, who was a ball of energy, a mini sun. I quickly realised she had an eye for the painting and before I knew I was taking art direction form her. She pointed to above the bear and said rainbow here. How can I argue with that, bam, rainbow. Then it was a flower here, a butterfly there and before we knew it it was time to call it a day. I stepped back, a little high off paint fumes and just marinated in the is-ness. Moments like this are precious. As they left there was a sheer sense of creative bliss, and a painting that speaks volumes, completely unpretentious, and warm like the sun. The following day I participated in an art and farmers market and wouldn’t you know the family stopped by for a visit. Emma presented me with an illustration, seen below. My heart warmed 1.5 degrees. Life is a funny thing, when nothing seems to make sense, it says Aloha, remember me? In which I say, ” Indeed I do, it’s been some time, thank you for uplifting a wounded spirit.”

Wearable art was my jam and where I first began.

 

The duality of life…I try to find some middle ground, head full of phenomenon, a heart with broken strings, a spirit that never quits, albeit changes like the moon, waxes and wanes.