MICRO-RESIDENCY REFLECTION
Marney worked within the Art Noise store location with curated Tri-Art products in a explorative materials venture to evaluate their adaptability to her creative process as a ceramic artist. These questions were presented for a reflection about the residency.
How was it working in a public art store?
Public Environment
I loved working in the store for several reasons. Working in the store meant that I had access to the materials and to the expertise of the staff. Being in a new environment also helped to frame the experience as an opportunity to challenge old habits through experimentation. The first day I was set up in the back of the store and I quickly realized that although the space was well set up, I needed to be near natural light to feel creative. We moved my workspace to the front window. I quickly realized that working in full view of the public meant that I had the opportunity to engage with passersby. Several people came into the store for the explicit purpose of telling me how much they enjoyed seeing someone create art – that it inspired them to recommit to their own art making. I felt that working in the window added some vitality to the project and helped to insert art making into the streetscape. The only challenge was that the public engagement also meant frequent interruptions.
How was it to work with another artist?
Artist Collaboration
Diane Black, a clay artist, was her guest.
Working with Diane was fantastic. It created an opportunity for us to share expertise and “talk shop”, thereby breaking down some of the isolation of a solo studio practice and building creative connections. Diane also had familiarity with the Tri-Art product and was able to demonstrate how she uses oils and encaustics in her work.
Diane’s Reflection
About Her Participation in the Residency
When I think of the micro-residency at Art Noise I am taken right back to the spring light coming in the big front window, illuminating Marney’s wonderful selection of mindfully formed ceramic pieces. It was such a joyful, contemplative way to spend some time sharing knowledge. Marney’s process and mine overlap in the sense that we speak the language of clay and do both functional and sculptural work.
We were very excited to explore the possibilities of “cold finishes” or paints as a method of adding subtle colour to already fired pieces. I had been using oil paints for this purpose for a while but had not delved into the idea of using textured acrylic mediums. I love the creative energy that bubbles up when there is an opportunity to share time and ideas with another wonderfully creative person!
Relevancy for your personal art process?
Personal Impact
Overall, did this residency have an impact on your art practice moving forward?
The residency was a game changer. The experience enabled me to answer a bunch of questions I had about using non-glaze materials for finishing ceramics. My plan is to start finishing my sculptural work with oils and encaustic instead of underglazes.
Benefits of using paints with ceramics?
Material Discovery
What are the possible benefits of using painting materials in your ceramic art pieces?
This new process allows me to start firing my sculptures once instead of twice and to finish them in a more painterly, iterative manner. I’m currently working on a collection of ceramic forms that I can use to further refine this way of decorating clay sculpture. In addition to saving a firing and providing more flexibility, the immediacy of paint is bringing an energy and looseness into my process that I’m very excited about.
What you observed and experienced
Moving Forward - Development?
What is next in terms of integrating and developing works with what you observed and experienced in the residency?
I was teaching this summer at MISSA and introduced my students and another class to using Tri-Art oils to finish non-functional work. The instructor from the other class is now going include this process in his own teaching at a ceramics school in the US.
I am awaiting the confirmation of funding for a mobile installation that will be housed in a shipping container. If the project is approved, I will be using oils and encaustics to finish the pieces that will be included in this work. I am also working on some drawing/sculpture installations that will involve this process.
Overall feeling about the residency?
“Your Walk Away From the Residency”
What is your “walk away” feeling about the residency?
I feel energized and excited about what is to come. I really appreciated the generosity, knowledge, and support from Rhéni and Connie and from the other staff at Art Noise. I found the “meetings” with Rhéni and Connie to be especially helpful. Although I’m focused on oils right now, I also have in mind to return to some of the mediums and the gesso for sculptural application and also for application on paper
RESIDENCY - caputured moments
