Undercurrents' is the first in a series of large-scale works by contemporary painter Janice Iniskimaki Tanton that explore our contemporary Canadian identity/nationality and attachment to this great land.
Knowing that I have a sacred space to go to has given me a goal and a direction and helped me remember not only who I am, but what I can accomplish with my family and friends when we put our minds and hearts into it.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas, we've had a roller coaster of emotion and action in the household, combining doctor's visits, show openings, Leighton Colony residencies, tests and surgery. As the saying goes....the show must go on, and it did....on all fronts.
One of my favourite artists and artist talks. Bo Bartlett talks at the Dowling Walsh Gallery in 2010.
I admit being a workaholic. The creation of images fascinates me and borders on obsession. What does it mean to produce really great work, in a prolific manner? I think the answer to that lies in a concentrated residency period that allows experimentation. Quantifiable data can help flesh out part of the picture, but not all of it. Here was my short experience at The Banff Centre.
Who knew it? Today has been declared International Artist Day. A big thanks to Alyson Stanfield for posting on this and letting me know - I've been so busy painting…
Getting an idea out of my heart and head is not always easy. Sometimes it comes together, and sometimes it doesn't. I wanted to try a different approach to my work and underpaintings on this group, which are slated for exhibition from my Gwaii Haanas Artist In Residence experience. The colours on the underpainting are different from how I generally combine the subject and technique. I've taken an approach to combine the quick onsite plein-air experience with the more academic figurative approach. So far, it's coming along, and I anticipate that it will provide the results that I'm looking for.
"When you've got friends to wish you well...you'll find a point when you will exhale" And with that, I've begun my residency. What a blessing to see folks that have been participants and co-workers in both arts and administrative capacities, from all corners of the world. It was a flurry of activity, and also quite strange - almost like being transported back into a space that I'd long ago left.
It's that time of year again when Canada's arts and culture philanthropists gather to support the arts and wonderful programming at The Banff Centre by attending the Midsummer Ball. I've donated one of my works again this year (listed above) for the Midsummer Ball Auction at The Banff Centre to support a woman artist or arts administrator enrolled in an Aboriginal Leadership program. Check it out and bid!
